Hello - This is my first post... here is goes.
My DD (6 yo) is just wrapping up her first year (9 months) of gymnastics. My DH and I feel like she has found her thing - she lights up when it's time for practice and comes home and keeps on practicing all week long. She does seem to have some natural talent as well. She took classes this year and ready to move up to either level 3 or xcel silver starting this summer.
I am new to gymnastics, so I'm learning by talking to other parents and reading this awesome forums!!
So, my question is where to have her continue on and any pros/cons to the two options that we have -
Option 1 - Stay at current gym. This gym is one of the top in our city/state and has elite/top/division 1 gymnasts. The classroom training has been fantastic. They have a level 3 team that trains 10 hours per week, 25+ girls on the team and consistently does well. The rec team trains 6 hours per week, 25+ girls, and usually places in the top third. This gym is about 30 minutes from our home.
Option 2 - smaller gym only 10 minutes from home. They use xcel as their compulsory program, train 10 hours per week, and have 10-15 girls on a team. The coaches seem very encouraging. This gym placed in the top 3 in the state xcel programs.
So, I am torn. I know option 1 is the "best" program around and my DD will get excellent training. However, option 2 is so much closer, where I can drop off. It also is much more personal and local girls my DD could be friends with. (I like option 1, but the gym is so well know that is draws girls from all over the city and there are so many girls on a team.) Option 2 is also less expensive even though it's the most training hours. Also, xcel seems like a much more engaging program than the compulsory program from a non-gymnast .
I'm leaning toward option 2, but before I make the switch I am considering everything. Is there anything else that I should be thinking about? Thank you!!
My DD (6 yo) is just wrapping up her first year (9 months) of gymnastics. My DH and I feel like she has found her thing - she lights up when it's time for practice and comes home and keeps on practicing all week long. She does seem to have some natural talent as well. She took classes this year and ready to move up to either level 3 or xcel silver starting this summer.
I am new to gymnastics, so I'm learning by talking to other parents and reading this awesome forums!!
So, my question is where to have her continue on and any pros/cons to the two options that we have -
Option 1 - Stay at current gym. This gym is one of the top in our city/state and has elite/top/division 1 gymnasts. The classroom training has been fantastic. They have a level 3 team that trains 10 hours per week, 25+ girls on the team and consistently does well. The rec team trains 6 hours per week, 25+ girls, and usually places in the top third. This gym is about 30 minutes from our home.
Option 2 - smaller gym only 10 minutes from home. They use xcel as their compulsory program, train 10 hours per week, and have 10-15 girls on a team. The coaches seem very encouraging. This gym placed in the top 3 in the state xcel programs.
So, I am torn. I know option 1 is the "best" program around and my DD will get excellent training. However, option 2 is so much closer, where I can drop off. It also is much more personal and local girls my DD could be friends with. (I like option 1, but the gym is so well know that is draws girls from all over the city and there are so many girls on a team.) Option 2 is also less expensive even though it's the most training hours. Also, xcel seems like a much more engaging program than the compulsory program from a non-gymnast .
I'm leaning toward option 2, but before I make the switch I am considering everything. Is there anything else that I should be thinking about? Thank you!!