Start Your Child in Gymnastics

From Amy Van Deusen,  Amy Van Deusen has extensive experience as a competitive gymnast, team and recreational coach, and writer for the sport of gymnastics. Gymnastics is an incredibly fun sport whether you're a participant,  Parent of a gymnast, or a spectator. My goal is to improve your experience in gymnastics -- whatever it may be!

Gymnastics is a wonderful sport for kids, and can help them develop coordination, strength, balance, flexibility and so much more. It can also build self-esteem, and improve skills such as self-discipline and concentration. Plus, being a gymnast is a lot of fun!

The Right Age

Children can start in gymnastics as young as 18 months in a "Mommy and Me" class with a parent. If your child is older (usually around age three or four), s/he is ready to be enrolled in a beginner gymnastics class. Gymnastics clubs vary, but usually classes are grouped by age, and as your child progresses in the sport, s/he will later be grouped by ability level.

Finding a Gym

First, find a local gymnastics club in your area. Find one that is a member of USA Gymnastics,

(American Allstars is a member of the USA Gymnastics) the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Clubs that are members of USAG have to meet minimum requirements for liability insurance and coaching expertise, and must pledge to follow USAG's Code of Ethics and mission.

You may want to pick a few gymnastics clubs in your area and go in for a visit. (American Allstars suggest you visit our gym and others before you choose) Gyms vary significantly in the facilities they have -- some are enormous buildings with all sorts of equipment and mats, while others are much smaller. Oftentimes, beginner gymnasts have a lot of fun on some of the "extra" equipment such as climbing structures, and trampolines. Visiting a few gyms may help you decide what's important to you and your child. Be sure to look for:

A visitors' viewing area where you can see your child during his/her class (American Allstars offers 3,000 sq ft of parent viewing with stadium seating tables and padded chairs along with areas for siblings to do home work, and we always offer free coffee and wireless internet connection)

A well-lit, clean facility (American Allstars  is known for its attention to detail, and our customers tell us we are the cleanest facility they have ever been in, feel free to ask anyone of our families)

An office manager and office hours (American Allstars offers long office hours 6 days per week) that will help you with administrative items (registration, payment, assistance with any questions that you may have)

A gymnast-instructor ratio that seems appropriate. (American Allstars has small student to coach ratio’s) (there is no magic number, but the children should look as though they are being monitored at all times by an instructor)

An emphasis on safety: Are instructors spotting (helping) the children? Does it seem as if there is adequate padding (mats) throughout the gym? Are there signs up describing safety procedures and rules? Also ask if the instructors are safety-certified by USA Gymnastics. (American Allstars instructors are safety certified and we follow USA Gymnastics guidelines on safety)

Happy-looking gymnasts enjoying themselves and the sport. (American Allstars gymnast come and go with a smile on their face)