big gym or small gym?

[laurameer]

I'm curious what your opinions are on this. My dd goes to a small gym where they are just starting up their teams again after a ownership change. It's a very positive atmosphere and she loves it. With her only being just 6, I like that aspect, but the coaches are maybe not too experienced and the program not really up and running quite yet. DD is about to go to level 4.

The other gym in town is an elite training gym, very established, experienced coaches, a lot bigger. However, I have heard that the atmosphere is fairly intense and competitive.

My DD has shown alot of promise, moving up quickly and totally loves the sport. She would go to practice every day if I'd let her. What are your opinons on the big vs small gym for a young gymnast starting to compete? I think at some point we'll have to move gyms, but the question is now - when she's starting out, or later - when we outgrow this place?

Thanks for the input!

[littlegymchampsmom]

laurameer, when we chose between gyms we did not really consider future growth, but rather who we thought would provide the strongest foundation or basics.

[Megley]

I guess I would want to know how "competitive and intense" the atmosphere is over at the other gym and also whether you think your daughter would thrive in that sort of environment. There is a very well known gym in our area that trains elite gymnasts, but it has a reputation as not being a very nice place for the kids to train. The coaches yell a lot and they push kids into homeschooling and lots of gym hours at an early age. I know I don't want that for my daughter and she would not do well in that kind of an environment. I'm not saying that is the case at the new gym you mention, but the words "competitive and intense" set off alarm bells for me, particularly compared with your description of a positive atmosphere at your current gym. I think if I were in your shoes I would wait and at least see how Level 4 goes at your current gym. But then again, that is just my 2 cents!

[Tumblequeensmom]

Hi Megley... So... the "other" gym pushes the kids into homeschooling at such a young age? Amazing. I just can't believe parents go along with that... but then again, when they've got olympic dreams for their children, I guess it's understandable.

At our gym, the Level 6's are encouranged to skip school on Fridays before a meet so that they can get in extra practice. I truly don't believe in that at all... their education is what will matter in the long run. And in fact, we're switching gyms beginning Monday. This new gym actually has fun things for the girls to do as WELL as training.. I think my DD will be happier over there and she is really excited to join her new team as well!

[gym law mom]

I would weigh in with the other posters about staying where you are for at least her 1st year as a L4. If you keep in mind that this is a program in transition and they may not take 1st place at every meet, then keep her there. She sounds like she is having fun and is happy. My guess based on her age is that she'll start 1st grade this year, so that will be a big change in her life(and yours!) plus doing L4 competitive gymnastics. That is alot for any 6 yo to handle. She'll go from the summer daytime practices to school schedule with practice after school and meets on weekends-----those meets can really suck up your weekend in a hurry!

Watch the girls from this other gym at meets. Chat a little with the parents. Usually one of the most commonly asked questions while sitting in the bleachers is "how many hours does your team practice?" See how she enjoys her season. Is she having fun? Is she improving? Some girls love gymnastics, but don't like the competitive side. It may be this gym is your answer when she gets a little older and understands more about the committment they want from her. Then again, your gym may get girls who have burned out at that gym and your program may blossom.

[hammy]

I agree with Gym Law Mom. I grew up and did all of my training in a small family run gym. The atmosphere in my gym was more about having fun and accomplishing goals than "winning" every meet. I loved challeges and wouldn't have minded a competitive and intense program, but a lot of my teammates were not that way. I've also had teammates that have come from the "competitive and intense" gym where they were yelled at and what not and they enjoyed the having fun gym a little more.

Personally, I think it all depends on the child, some children can handle and want to participate in the competitive and intense program while some just want to have fun doing gymnastics. I agree with GLM--check out the other team at meets, and see how your daughter does this year. It's possible to be competitive and intense in a small gym setting, I personally think that's the best option.

[laurameer]

Thanks so much for all the advice. There are so many things to consider as you all have brought up. I will most likely keep her here for a year, like some of you mentioned. It's a little wierd cuz the comp. season starts in Sept, and they're talking about moving her up then, which wouldn't give her any time to work on the routines. So I'm guessing she won't be able to compete this year. She will not be happy watching her teammates compete and not being able to herself. I think they're trying to look out for her because of her age, she's a year younger than the others in level 4. But she already did full-day school last year and it's only 2 hrs a week more in the gym, so she should be fine. I generally try to take the cross the bridge when we get there approach. As long as she's progressing and happy, that's the most important thing.

I'm also very interested to just watch some meets, as we've never even been to one. I'm sure I'll learn alot by watching the other teams etc...

[Carmansunshine]

I want to say a young gym my not be a bad thing, they may try a little harder with the girls as well as having fun with them. The girls will less likely burn out because the coaches will be so excited to have a team of their own to train. My 2 dd went to one of those "competitive and intense gyms" and if your dd was not one of the top girls they get alot less attention and get yelled at alot if they can't keep up. And my oldest a training level 4 was yelled at and embarresed so much in the gym she quit the sport for 6 months and only went back because I took my youngest to a smaller new gym. She sat and watched her sister for 3 months and she saw how much the coaches cared about the students. and decided to give it another try. (Turns out she coldn't keep up because no one ever corrected the basics and she was being taught tricks without a good foundation. The gym I went to has the NJ state champ for level 4 but she and 2 other girls are the only 3 level 4's that were scoring well. The gym has many team trophys, but only those three girls ever placed in the all around. The gym I went to also seemed alot more concerned with money and image than my girls. I'm not saying that all intense and competitve programs are like that, but just be careful not to go for the flash over the substance. Some gyms also hold gymnasts at a level for 2 to 3 yrs so they can win at competitions. So keep that in mind when your dd sarts competing, your team may not win as many competitions because the are first year 4's going against second or third year 4's not because your coaches are not coaching correctly.

[Blackie6]

Carmensunshine! I'm in NJ too. My DD just started level 4 this year, but our gym is going thru a re-building phase for L4 it seems. They had no L4's even competing this year & lost a huge chunk to another gym before we came on the team. We have a new coach now and everything seems to be on track, but it is not intense...no yelling and screaming that I know of & my DD loves it. I know that there are some really top gyms here in NJ, but this is a good fit for us so far, we have no plans on training for the Olympics,LOL

[littlegymchampsmom]

our gym is not a yelling or screaming gym either - thank goodness. Our girls have a lot of fun, but the coach's motto is "work hard, or go home" ... they also
really stress the basics. None of the girls would ever make it to the national or intl elite level IMO because the coaches just don't have the heart - or rather lack of + they seem to take things pretty safe into the higher levels.

I would only be careful of staying in the new gym if you are dealing with a lot of new inexperience... gymnastics SHOULD ABSOLUTELY be fun and interesting foremost, but your dd sounds like she is on a great track already... it would be sad if she started bad habits because of a lack of experience on the coaches part. Hopefully you had a chance to meet your new coach(s) and you are clear on their credentials... I would just pay close attention for a bit and see how it goes, club gym is not the same as rec gym and you can only wait around for so long before bad habits have a chance to creep in... if your dd loves her gym, and you love the gym and you are confident in the coaches then there would be no reason to move to a high pressure gym, which, at this young gymnasts age could just ruin the whole experience...