Axios reporter joins geriatric gymnastics trend

Hey, it's Monica and I'm on a journey to reclaim my 17-year-old gymnastics skills – or at least my round off and back handspring — before I turn 57 this June.

Zoom out: I recently learned that I'm not alone. Other women (albeit younger ones) are taking up the geriatric gymnastics challenge around the country and in Chicago.

State of play: At Lakeshore Gymnastics in West Town, I signed up for one of Chicago's only adult gymnastics classes and it's not cheap.

• The five-week session costs $175 on top of a $100 annual fee.

First week report: I learned that my wrists, shoulders and back need a lot more strength and flexibility to meet my goal. I could barely do a round off without wincing.

• My instructor, Tessa, had me practice backbends and roller-supported walkovers (pictured above) to get the feel of it.

Home work: More backbend practice, handstands, shoulder presses and wrist stretches after my body gets over the shock and soreness from the first week of class.

What's next: Aiming for an unassisted backbend and even walkover by week two.

• I'll keep you posted each week on my progress!