Gymnastics or dance? Both build strength, flexibility and confidence, so it’s no wonder parents get stuck. The biggest difference is focus: gymnastics is about athletic skills like tumbling, vaulting and balancing on a beam, and dance is about moving to music with technique and expression. A child who loves flipping upside down may lean toward gymnastics, and one who’s always making up routines to a favorite song may be happier in dance. For a gymnastics dance mix, there’s Acro. Here’s gymnastics vs. dance, side by side.
Physical benefits
Both are full-body workouts. Gymnastics leans on upper-body strength and power, since kids swing on bars, push off the vault and land tumbling passes, and it has more hard landings. Dance builds strength too, especially in the legs, feet and core, along with flexibility, balance, posture, coordination and rhythm.
So is dance a hard sport? Physically, yes. It takes strength, stamina and control, and good dancers make it look easy. More on that in is dance a sport?
Mental and emotional benefits
Gymnastics teaches focus and courage: a new skill on the beam takes nerve, and every skill is repeated until it’s precise. Dance asks for focus too, and learning whole routines works memory and concentration. Dance also lets children show feelings and tell stories through movement, which helps them grow creatively and emotionally. Both teach the discipline of regular practice, which builds a work ethic and perseverance.
Social benefits
Gymnasts train side by side and cheer each other on, but much of the sport is individual: you take your turn, and the score is yours. In dance, the whole class learns the same routine and moves together, so teamwork is built in. Group dances and duets teach respect, cooperation and working toward a common goal, and kids make friends along the way.
Building confidence
In gymnastics, confidence comes from finally landing a skill you were scared of. In dance, it comes from performing, first in class and then on stage, which helps shy kids come out of their shell. Competition differs too: gymnasts compete one at a time and judges score each routine, while in dance, competing is optional. At Nan’s School of Dance, dancers perform at our recitals, and those who want to compete have the Competitive Company Team, for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Structure and routine
A gymnastics class usually rotates through events like floor, beam and bars, with coaches spotting, so there’s some waiting for a turn. In dance class, everyone moves at once, to music, from warm-up through technique to choreography. Both run on a weekly schedule, which suits kids who like routine, teaches time management and fills after-school hours with something healthy.
Fun and enjoyment
Both are fun! If your child climbs everything and bounces off the couch, gymnastics may be the draw. If they put on shows in the living room, they’ll probably love the music and creativity of dance class.
You don’t always have to choose. Lots of gymnasts take dance to polish the gymnastics dances in their floor and beam routines (here’s why dance makes a better gymnast). And Nan’s Acro class, for ages 7 and up, blends dance and gymnastics skills.
Making the right choice
Power and tumbling point to gymnastics, music and performing point to dance, and a love of both points to Acro. If dance wins, see choosing the right dance style and the right age to start dance. Either way, you’re giving your child a foundation for a healthy, active life.
Reach your goals with Nan’s School of Dance
At Nan’s School of Dance, our goal is to provide top-quality instruction at a competitive price. We encourage our students to reach technical proficiency in their favorite dance form and build self-discipline, poise, and self-esteem. We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels.
We love having new members in our dance classes and will help get your child acclimated to our dance school to make them feel right at home. When your child attends Nan’s School of Dance, they will become a part of our dance family and share in our love for dance!
Don’t forget to register!
From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes (18 months – 2.5 years). Register online or give us a call at (919) 803-6044 to hold your spot!
*Feel free to follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Want to read more about dance?
Take a look at some of our other articles about getting started.