The Gymnastics Movie of All Time

Every single gymnast has seen the movie Stick It. This movie is one of the closest representations of a gymnast’s life and captures the intensity of gymnastics. It has the drama of an everyday teenage girl, a lot of humor, and is quite inspiring to gymnasts. 

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The main character of this movie is former gymnast Haley Graham. She was once considered one of the most talented gymnasts in the US, but walked out of the World Championship in the middle of the finals, costing the American gold medal and making her one of the most hated people in gymnastics. When Haley gets in trouble with the law, she is forced to go to the elite Vickerman Gymnastics Academy to learn discipline, honesty, integrity and teamwork.

Image courtesy of Flash Games

Throughout the movie, there are many scenes describing a gymnast’s life. One of my favorite quotes from the movie is:

“Gymnastics tells you no. All day long. It mocks you over and over again. Telling you you're an idiot. That you're crazy. If you like running full-speed towards a stationary object, vault is for you. If you like pealing pieces of skin the size of quarters of your hands... bars is for you. Because the only thing more fun than rips, is when your rips get rips. It's super sexy. And floor, are you serious, I mean who doesn't want to parade around in a leotard getting wedgies and doing dorky choreography? It's delicious. If you like falling, then gymnastics is the sport for you! You get to fall on your face, your ass, your back, your knees, and your pride! It's a good thing I didn't like falling... I LOVED IT!” 

-Haley Graham

Although this movie is about gymnastics, it is not just for gymnasts. Besides the fact it is hilarious, it is relatable to other people too (although it is mostly for girls). It gives a positive message of pushing through and overcoming obstacles, and to stand up for what you believe in. But these messages are shown in their own unique way.

Whenever I am with my team, this is our go-to movie; I have seen it about fifteen times and it never gets old. I know every single word to this movie, so if you have not seen it, just come to me and I can narrate the whole thing for you.

gymnast terminology:

“stick it” : plant the landing with proper technique and no stumbles