What’s the Flip Book?

The Flip Book is an every-two-weeks gymnastics newsletter for smart people who don’t know much about the sport…yet!

We’ll dig into why gymnastics commentators talk the way they do; the physics and musculature behind the sport’s most common skills; the material history of the equipment and how it works; the classism, racism, and homophobia that contemporary gymnasts challenge both publicly and privately; why gymnastics “comebacks” are unique compared to other sports; and what the hell the judges can even see when someone is flying past them in 3 seconds or less.

You’ll get articles and news roundups and explainers and interviews and guest essays and probably a lot of history (because I can’t help it).

By the time LA28 rolls around, you’ll have become the gymnastics fan equivalent of the guy that’s like, “…did you know that Viggo Mortensen actually broke his toe when he kicked that helmet??”

We’ve got two years to get you Gym Nerd Ready™️, so let’s get to it. I’m glad you’re here! If you like what you read, tell a friend.