gymnast
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gymnast
Refers to a person who practices gymnastics as a sport, or to the sport of gymnastics itself. It is used almost exclusively as the defining element in compound nouns.
Die Turner-Riege des Vereins hat die Meisterschaft gewonnen.
The club's gymnastics squad won the championship.
The word 'Turner' belongs to the word family of 'turnen' (the verb for doing gymnastics) and 'das Turnen' (the name of the sport).
Meine Tochter turnt seit drei Jahren im Verein.
My daughter has been doing gymnastics at the club for three years.
'Turner' is often used as the first part of a compound noun to refer to a group or organization in the field of gymnastics.
Der Deutsche Turner-Bund ist der Dachverband der Turnvereine.
The German Gymnastics Federation is the umbrella organization for gymnastics clubs.
You have to distinguish between the word element 'Turner-' in compounds and the independent noun 'der Turner' (the male gymnast), which refers to a male person who does gymnastics.
Fabian Hambüchen ist ein berühmter deutscher Turner.
Fabian Hambüchen is a famous German gymnast.
gymnastics / exercises
'Turner' and 'Gymnastik' both have to do with physical exercises. 'Turner' refers to a person who does gymnastics as a sport, or appears in compounds related to the sport of gymnastics. This often involves apparatus, technique, and sports training. 'Gymnastik' more often means exercises for mobility, strength, or stretching, and can also simply be fitness training. The words can be confused because both sound like sport and movement. A practical tip: a person can be a 'Turner' (gymnast), but the exercise session itself is more likely called 'Gymnastik'.
Der Turner trainiert am Abend für den Wettkampf am Barren.
The gymnast trains in the evening for the competition on the parallel bars.
Nach der Arbeit macht Lena Gymnastik, weil ihr Rücken oft weh tut.
After work, Lena does exercises because her back often hurts.