1) Strength-Gymnastics develops strength, so that the athlete can control the body throughout many different types of actions. Strength is developed in two ways. The first is to gradually increase resistance, and the second is to increase the total number of repetitions of an exercise while keeping the resistance constant. Strength exercises should be performed through a full range of motion in gymnastics in order to develop flexibility at the same time as strength. Some methods of strength training include, using one's own body weight, isometric exercises, weight training, and using exercise equipment such as hydraulic devices. 2) Flexibility-Gymnastics movements require a great amount of flexibility. The gymnast must be able to bend their back with ease and easily stretch their legs into splits. Although flexibility is found naturally in the very young, it tends to decrease with age. To maintain and increase flexibility, it is important to include exercises which will stretch the ligaments, tendons, and tissues. To achieve greater flexibility, athletes should perform continuous strong stretching exercises rather that stretching that involve bouncing movements. These stretches should be done slowly, with the stretch held at the point of greatest range for a few seconds and then stretched even further, trying to increase the range of movement. As the muscle relaxes in the stretch, it will stretch even further. This can be achieved by controlling your breathing within the stretch. Take deep breaths in and slowly exhale while you deepen into the continuous stretch. This type of stretching will produce greater flexibility with less muscle strain. 3) Balance-Gymnast must learn the relationship between the head, arms, legs and the body. In all balancing exercises, the body must maintain its center of gravity. If one body segment moves away from the center of gravity, another body segment must also move in order to compensate. This principle applies whether the athlete is performing the movement of the feet or the hands. Gymnastics increases the athlete's awareness of their body position in relation to their own center of gravity. 4) Endurance-Gymnastics demands an athlete to develop their cardiovascular-respiratory endurance. Through a program of continuous progression, the gymnast increases endurance by increasing the energy output and the period of activity. An important component of increasing endurance is the ability of the athlete to develop emotional control. This "mind set" allows the gymnast to perform exercises with a greater amount of dynamic energy. The committed gymnast must be willing to lengthen practice times, repeat movements until achieving perfection, and develop the stamina necessary to increase the demands upon the body before fatigue sets in. 5) Coordination-Coordinated movements occur as a result of proper neuromuscular control over the body. It is the culmination of strength, flexibility, balance, endurance, and agility. Gymnasts must have complete control over their muscles and an understanding of muscle contraction and relaxation. When this concept is mastered, the movements become coordinated and graceful. Skills are performed with ease and less expenditure of energy. Gymnasts must master stunts in relationship to other stunts, establishing patterns of response. Movements must be repeated in order to master these patterns of response. Complex movements require enormous amounts of coordination as well as timing. The sense of timing within the movement or series of movements come with the repetition of the movement or series. This repetition of motion develops a greater sense of the athlete's coordination.