Elite gymnasts typically begin training at the age of four. Some, like Simone Biles, begin training as late as age 6, while others begin as early as age 2 or even 1. Gymnastics fundamentals may be learned by children as early as 2-3 years old. It takes about 10 months to a year for a child to learn the basic skills needed for competition. Gymnasts must complete six days a week of training and compete approximately once a month. At the end of their season, athletes are given time to rest and recover before preparing for the next one. The amount of time it takes to become an elite gymnast depends on how young you start training and what level you want to reach. The younger you start training and the higher your goal is, the faster you will rise through the ranks. For example, an eight-year-old who trains five hours a day will advance more quickly toward becoming an elite gymnast than a twelve-year-old who trains the same amount of time. However, both children will make significant progress within a year's time. Being an elite gymnast can be a long and hard journey. You need to be willing to put in a lot of work and not give up when things get difficult. It also helps if you have natural athletic ability because it makes the process go much faster.