POLL: How do you feel about your gym?

[bigtiny]

I have been having mixed feeling about our gym, and I'm wondering if most parents/gymnasts/coaches feel the same or if most are happy where they are. Thanks for your input!

[Tumblequeensmom]

Just my opinion, but I think most of us feel that the "grass is greener" at some point or another. I think you really need to decide WHAT your DD wants to get out of the sport. We just got a new Level 10 girl from an elite gym not too far away. She wasn't happy with the coaching style over there. Her mom and I have sat and had lots of conversations and she has had LOTS of good advice, esp. considering she's got a lot more years of gym experience than we have. She said that w/all the gyms she's been to (in CA and VA), that the same complaints are repeated at EVERY gym. (i.e. not enough coaches, not enough good "quality" coaching, showing favoritism, etc.). I think I've finally just gotten to a really good place re: accepting that my DD loves the gym she's in, the girls she's with, etc. She will NOT become elite (never wanted that for her anyway), so at this point, as long as she's happy (and the $ holds out), we're happy where we are. It's taken us 2 years to get to this point tho!

I'd love to hear what others have to say as well!

-Lynn

[lakshmi369]

My Daughter loves the gym she is at now! She has a great report with her Coaches and is challenged every day with new skills. It is a small gym and is certainly going through some growing pains (and occasional lapse into chaos!) but through it all our DD is working at a much higher level and she is soooo content. The approach has been a little loose and there are not many fear issues with the girls. Big thumbs up for us.

[NYgymfan]

Well I just started, so I'm in that newbie period where I'm still trying to form an opinion and they are putting forth their best face for the new guy. So I love it right now. But I have heard the stories of drama and people wanting to switch gyms. I think its natural to feel that the grass is greener on the other side....but just remember, the other side isn't going to be bragging about their negatives. There are negatives, but you just won't know about them until you get to the other side!

[Asherz<3]

My gym used to be VERY good. Used to go to nationals all that good stuff. Well once they recieved a good name they stopped caring about how the girls wer competing and started caring about money. Now a different coach has taken over the younger girls to that program is taking off but the optional girls are still unnoticed. I wanted to move to a different gym when I was 11 but my mom wouldn't let me because we would have to either move or drive oevr an hour and a half.

[flippymonkeysmom]

I've posted about this quite a bit - so I put other. I love the coaches, but the owner is an idiot. Still not sure what we are going to do long term.

[GymTwinsMom]

My daughters love their gym about...93% of the time. They are challenged enough so they are not bored. But relaxed enough so it's not overwhelming. Sometimes the biggest problem is each other. They fight when they have to share a beam. ( They only have to share it when they are the last ones to get there. But their coach knows to split them up.) My DD's are flexable (They didn't get that from me ) So pushing down in splits is not a problem. Their coach can go on a bell curve sometimes. Really nice then when she gets mad, she takes it out on more conditioning. So those are pretty much the only problems so far (I hope!)

[gym monkeys mom]

My DD is a Level 7 and has been at her gym for 7 years this month. She started in class at a different club. They wanted her to be on pre-team before she was ready for that so we moved clubs to where we currenlty are. My friends kids coach there which is why we are there and most days we love it. My DD aways loves it and some days I get frustrated with things. I have also come to the realization that as long as DD is happy, we can afford it and the coaches are not tyrants and yelling we will stay. This has been a long road gettting here and I am thankful for all the help from Chalk Bucket people in getting here. We have lost some good girls along the way to Level 7 team to other clubs and I still speak with the parents from time to time. They have also said that the grass is not greener at other clubs only different some are happy others are still at unrest. I believe you as a parent know what is best for your daughter and can weigh that. It is important for your DD to set goals and not get to over involved as it is their sport. That is also why we pay coaches. I will say that Level 4 and 5 are fun and Level 6 gets tough as well as Level 7 but, as long as DD likes it and is up to the challenge I say go for it.

[gymdog]

Well I voted with one of my old gyms, the one I went to most of the time, although I don't make it over there too much anymore. Love it. There were issues over the year, some petty, some pretty significant, some extremely significant. It's a long story but in hindsight after everything was said and done I went back because the grass was NOT greener. I guess it's hard to say I regret the initial decision because we felt a little like our hands were tied but I can definitely say I don't regret reversing that decision one bit.

PM me if you want any info about anything, if I recall correctly I more or less know where you are.

[kristilyn73]

I dont think that the relationship we have at the gym is any different from my other relationships. My job, my husband, my family etc.

It is a give and take type deal. Some days I love, some days I am completely frustrated. But we always seem to work through it and come out stronger in the end. I dont feel that any relationship can truly grow and suceed if there isnt work from both parties.

We dont have very many options where I am but I know we are in the best place possible for my DD. She loves her team mates and the coaches have tons of experience. They know how to train gymnasts. My DD is dedicated to becoming a great Level 8 gymnast. They stand behind her. Friday night she wanted to stay a l ittle late and work on her beam flight. The coach, even though she was visably exhausted and wanted to go home, let her stay...

That is what keeps us there. They love my DD and want to see her suceed as much as I do.