Is this clear cut?

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While trying to compare the gyms that are near me this is the only information I could find that the 2 closest places competed against each other at. It's not level 9 or 10 so does it even mean anything? obviously the teams in red are the ones near me. I know one had a better day at this meet but does that make them a better gym?

Now if my dd ever gets truely competitive, the 1st place team is about an hour from me and I would go there.

Team Winner Sheet Score Master - Gymnastics Meet Scoring Software Page 1
4/5/2009 11:24:41 PM
Meet: Level 5 State 2009
Level: Level2: Age: Squad: Session: SubTeam:​
Place​
Team Sub Team V Pl 1 UB Pl 2 BB Pl 3 FX Pl 4 Total

1​
Phenom Gymnastics 27.950 1 28.125 2 28.700 1 28.475 1 113.250

2​
Balance Institute of Gymnastic 27.000 4 28.175 1 28.400 2 28.125 4 111.700

3​
Midwest Twisters 26.850 5 27.975 5 28.025 4 28.275 3 111.125

4​
Premier West Gymnastics 27.525 2 28.100 3 27.475 6 27.925 6 111.025

5​
Gymnastics X-Calibur 26.550 8 28.050 4 27.525 5 28.325 2 110.450

6​
Buffalo Grove Gymnastics 25.925 12 27.775 9 28.100 3 27.875 9 109.675

7​
Naperville Gymnastics Club 27.100 3 27.775 8 26.400 14 27.900 8 109.175

8​
Premier Gymnastics Academy 26.350 9 27.425 10 27.100 9 27.950 5 108.825

9​
Jump Stars 26.625 7 27.075 11 27.000 10 27.325 14 108.025

10​
Flying High Gymnastics 25.800 16 26.925 12 27.175 7 27.800 10 107.700

11
Gymkhana 25.700 19 26.775 14 27.150 8 27.925 7 107.550

12​
Dreams Gymnastics Club, Inc. 25.925 13 26.750 15 26.750 12 27.650 11 107.075

13​
Olympia Gymnastics Center 25.725 17 27.825 6 26.125 17 27.300 17 106.975

14​
Libertyville Gymnastics Academ 26.750 6 27.800 7 25.200 21 27.125 18 106.875

15​
Gym-Kinetics Sports Complex 26.100 10 26.650 16 26.325 16 27.325 15 106.400

16​
Crystal Lake Gymnastics 25.950 11 26.475 17 25.850 18 27.325 16 105.600

17​
Palatine Park District Gymnast 25.200 22 26.825 13 25.500 20 27.575 13 105.100

18​
Gym Corner 25.475 21 25.100 20 26.650 13 27.600 12 104.825

19​
Energym 25.825 14 25.150 19 26.325 15 27.100 19 104.400

20​
Maximum Gymnastics 25.800 15 25.475 18 25.650 19 26.850 20 103.775

21
Midwest Elite Gymnastics Acade 25.550 20 22.950 22 26.900 11 26.625 21 102.025

22​
Huntley Unlimited 25.700 18 25.075 21 24.525 22 25.450 22 100.750

23​
North Shore Gymnastics 18.050 24 18.450 23 18.500 23 18.500 25 73.500

24​
St. Charles Gymnastics 18.050 25 18.250 24 18.175 25 18.725 23 73.200

25 Gym-Kinetics 17.500 28 17.750 28 18.350 24 18.325 26 71.925


Team Winner Sheet Score Master - Gymnastics Meet Scoring Software Page 1
4/5/2009 11:21:35 PM
Meet: Level 5 State 2009
Level: Level2: Age: Squad: Session: SubTeam:​
Place​
Team Sub Team V Pl 1 UB Pl 2 BB Pl 3 FX Pl 4 Total

1​
Phenom Gymnastics 46.600 1 48.100 1 47.825 1 47.475 4 190.000

2​
Gymnastics X-Calibur 45.725 5 47.525 4 47.200 4 47.800 1 188.250

3​
Balance Institute of Gymnastic 45.700 6 47.525 5 47.675 2 47.325 6 188.225

4​
St. Charles Gymnastics 46.000 3 47.575 3 47.125 5 47.400 5 188.100

5​
Midwest Twisters 45.700 7 47.050 11 47.575 3 47.750 2 188.075

6​
Naperville Gymnastics Club 46.425 2 47.450 6 46.775 7 47.150 9 187.800

7​
GymNasti 45.825 4 47.275 10 46.600 10 47.575 3 187.275

8​
Buffalo Grove Gymnastics 45.025 14 47.325 9 46.775 8 47.250 8 186.375

9​
Gymnastics Factory 45.050 13 47.325 8 46.600 9 46.850 12 185.825

10​
Ultimate Gymnastics 44.850 16 47.625 2 45.750 19 47.250 7 185.475

11​
Arena Gymnastics 45.450 9 46.475 15 46.125 16 47.050 10 185.100

12​
Premier West Gymnastics 45.375 10 47.025 12 45.800 18 46.825 13 185.025

13​
Gym-Kinetics 45.100 12 46.500 14 46.425 11 46.875 11 184.900

14​
Libertyville Gymnastics Academ 45.025 15 47.425 7 46.175 15 46.200 27 184.825

15​
Gym-Kinetics Sports Complex 45.175 11 45.575 20 46.825 6 46.475 21 184.050

16​
Huntley Unlimited 45.575 8 46.300 16 45.400 27 46.600 19 183.875

17​
Premier Gymnastics Academy 44.575 20 46.025 17 46.325 12 46.650 16 183.575

18​
Bartlett Gymnastics Center 44.775 18 45.575 22 45.475 25 46.625 18 182.450

19​
North Shore Gymnastics 44.600 19 45.550 23 46.250 14 46.000 31 182.400

20​
Olympia Gymnastics Center 43.275 40 46.875 13 45.750 20 45.725 38 181.625

21​
Gainers Gymnastics 44.850 17 44.675 32 45.175 29 46.825 14 181.525

22​
Elite Sports Complex 44.025 27 45.850 18 45.450 26 46.075 30 181.400

23
Gymkhana 43.625 32 45.625 19 45.500 24 46.575 20 181.325

24​
Flying High Gymnastics 43.900 28 44.425 34 46.275 13 46.675 15 181.275

25​
Energym 44.175 25 44.875 30 45.575 22 46.200 28 180.825

26​
American Institute of Gymnasti 42.850 46 45.425 24 46.025 17 46.300 24 180.600

27​
Dreams Gymnastics Club, Inc. 43.525 35 45.050 28 45.650 21 46.075 29 180.300

28​
United Gymnastics Academy 44.175 24 45.150 25 45.275 28 45.450 41 180.050

29​
Crystal Lake Gymnastics 43.450 36 45.575 21 44.625 37 45.975 32 179.625

30
IGI 44.475 21 44.400 35 44.275 40 46.400 22 179.550

31​
Mattoon Academy 43.325 39 44.225 36 45.075 30 46.650 17 179.275

32​
Spring Hill Gymnastics - TIE (NOT Broken) 43.550 34 44.225 37 45.575 23 45.925 34 179.275

33​
Jump Stars 43.850 29 45.100 26 44.450 39 45.300 43 178.700

34​
Northwest Turners Gymnastics 43.400 37 43.850 42 44.725 35 46.375 23 178.350

35​
International Gymnastics Club 44.325 22 43.175 45 44.800 34 45.950 33 178.250

36 Midwest Elite Gymnastics Acade - TIE (NOT Broken) 44.075 26 43.450 44 44.900 32 45.825 37 178.250
 
I wouldn't even worry about team placements at this point. I would think that at Level 4 and 5 the most important thing is to find a good, patient caring coach that can challenge your dd and understand and motivate her. To me that is more important that how well the gym does as a whole. But that is just me!!
 
I really think that choosing a gym is so much more than scores.

Are your girls already at one of these gyms? If so, are they happy? Are they progressing safely? Do they love gym and look forward to going each time? Do they love their coaches? Are car rides home spent with them cheerfully talking about what they did, etc? Do you feel safe leaving them there? Do you trust that the coaches truly have their best interest at heart? THAT is what is important.

If you aren't sure about their current gym, go and observe a team practice at the other gym/s. As about their practice schedules at the different levels, costs, etc. Whether they have a booster club can make a huge difference. What the commitments are throughout the year from the family (varies HUGELY costwise and timewise) is a good thing to find out about as well.
 
You could also look at Palatine, Buffalo Grove, and Palmer's-- I think those are a reasonable drive as well. At this point, look at nearby gyms and their training philosophies, have your daughter do a trial practice (or a trial week) at each place, and see how she likes the coaches and team. It's great to go to a gym that does well at meets, but only if it works with your child's personality. Also, this may be a good time to remind newer parents that the likelihood of any team gymnast getting to L9 or 10 is quite low, so it's important for the child to love what she does now, and not to try to plan her gymnastics career for the next 10 years.
 
I'm in Ohio, but I've heard of some of the gyms. Emma of Emma's mom goes to this gym. They are phenomenal and the girls look great and very polished. They seem to set goals for each girl and know how to spot potential (at least that what i see). If this gym is an option for you. PM Emma's mom and I'm sure that she would be happy to give details there
 
My assumption is that she is in some gymnastics program now and looking to be on a L4 team? Don't go crazy looking at every gym within a 3 hour radius of your home. At her current gym, is she happy and making progress? What is the coach to student ration? Are the practices well organized(not alot of standing around)? Since she has yet to do a USAG meet, it may be a little premature to compare gyms for the high optional levels.

At this stage, I would say if she's in a gym that works the fundamentals and she's happy at, then stay for now. Take it level by level and year by year. At some point she may be ready for a more intense program that requires driving an hour or so.

I guess my best advice is don't jump in the deep end yet. Also give us some more info about the gym she's at now. Is there a reason you are looking at other gyms?
 
I am not "looking" to switch as much as I am doing my homework. She was on 3 different cheer teams until we found the one that was best for us. I want to make sure I am making an informed decision before paying for all the comp stuff. She is happy where she is at and since I don't know any better, yet, I am as well.

I don't watch practice or too long, it's not my thing. There are 2 coaches and 10 or 12 girls. When I am there they aren't standing around too much, at least not for me to ask questions. When working floor they have a bunch of stations set up so they aren't waiting for more than a minute.

I LOVE her coach, she is really great. She is my other dd's pre-team coach and she made her feel welcome and comfortable. Especially when she didn't want to go into the big gym out of fear.

So all in all this post has made me confident that where she is now is where she needs to be.

Thanks to everyone for your advice, I appreciate it!
 
Just have to say that that coaching situation sounds pretty good. Having 2 coaches for 12 girls is great. Having stations set up so they aren't just standing around is good, too. If your girls are happy and progressing, that is a good thing. :)
 
Just have to say that that coaching situation sounds pretty good. Having 2 coaches for 12 girls is great. Having stations set up so they aren't just standing around is good, too. If your girls are happy and progressing, that is a good thing. :)

Sometimes I hate that I am so competitive. If I would just chillax and let it be I am sure things would be better. But I am spending a lot of money and I want to be at the right place to be spending that money. TY!!!:)
 
Sometimes I hate that I am so competitive. If I would just chillax and let it be I am sure things would be better. But I am spending a lot of money and I want to be at the right place to be spending that money. TY!!!:)
I think I am the queen of stressing out about DD's gymnastics,LOL:rolleyes:. Seriously...I got started on blood pressure meds during DD's L6 year. But I think L6 does that to a lot of parents, LOL:p! I realize this is an expensive sport...but please consider your DD's happiness as the return on your investment...not the number of medals she brings home from meets. I know it's difficult, but please resist the urge to become "one of those moms". Always remember it is your DD's sport. Being supportive is great. But when the parents get too competitive...it sucks the joy right out of it for the kids(and their teammates & the other parents) like a great big vacuum:eek:. It should be fun for her, especially at L4! Hey... if it ain't fun now....it ain't never gonna be fun:p! Try to enjoy her time at L4...sounds like she's at a good gym, with good coaches...let them work their magic with her. She's used to cheer competitions...she'll do fine at meets. I bet she'll do you proud with her skills, by the time the 1st meet rolls around:D. Relax mom...the kids are alright:D. JMHO.
 
To be honest it seems like getting a little ahead of the situation. It doesn't make sense to switch unless there's a concrete reason, because there is often an adjustment period that can be associated with some setbacks, not to mention the emotional toll on the child. "Grass is always greener", but no gym is going to be without some bumps in the road. I'm sure many of us who spent a decade+ at a gym could attest to that. If you really like the coaches and dd is happy and progressing reasonably, I would stay without a doubt. Can't ask for much more, in my opinion.

Also to answer the question, I think out of context it does mean little. Team size generally has a lot to do with success at compulsory team competitions, first of all. And every year/compulsory group is slightly different. It could be smaller year or bigger year for one of them, one of them may just be a smaller program, one of them may stress compulsory routines less but have a more successful optional program.

I think the best indicator of how the "average" child's gymnastics career will be "successfully" happy is to look at how many high schoolers are still on team - at ALL optional levels. The vast majority of gymnasts will not reach L9 or 10, even if they want to stay in competitive gymnastics. 7 or 8 is more realistic for many, as the requirements are more in reach and generally more flexible to skill substitution (also, they are easier levels, to state the obvious). Retention rates (as well as the presence of optionals) are often an indicator that a) the program can prepare gymnasts for the optional level and b) that kids are making it to high school without getting injured out, burned out, or just cut out because they aren't going to be a 12-14 yr old L10.
 
I think I am the queen of stressing out about DD's gymnastics,LOL:rolleyes:. Seriously...I got started on blood pressure meds during DD's L6 year. But I think L6 does that to a lot of parents, LOL:p! I realize this is an expensive sport...but please consider your DD's happiness as the return on your investment...not the number of medals she brings home from meets. I know it's difficult, but please resist the urge to become "one of those moms". Always remember it is your DD's sport. Being supportive is great. But when the parents get too competitive...it sucks the joy right out of it for the kids(and their teammates & the other parents) like a great big vacuum:eek:. It should be fun for her, especially at L4! Hey... if it ain't fun now....it ain't never gonna be fun:p! Try to enjoy her time at L4...sounds like she's at a good gym, with good coaches...let them work their magic with her. She's used to cheer competitions...she'll do fine at meets. I bet she'll do you proud with her skills, by the time the 1st meet rolls around:D. Relax mom...the kids are alright:D. JMHO.


Oh I am NOT one of those freak Moms....well I am to myself and other parents but never to my dd.LOL I enjoy watching her have fun and that's why cheer is out this year. She wasn't happy and I didn't want her to end up hating cheer. Now she still loves it, but is happy to be doing gymnastics. She can go back to cheer whenever she chooses!! I just chose where she trains!!
Thanks for the advice:)
 
I would make a trip to both and do a trial. Most gyms allow at least one free lesson so at the least they can evaluate your childs skills and place her. At this point your not anywhere near L9 or 10 so I wouldn't worry about that until she gets to the optional levels as many girls never get that far because usually they are anywhere from 8 th grade and up when they get to that level and other activities usually come in at that point and many leave gymnastics.

See if you can do a week trial at each gym and see which your daughter is more comfortable with. Yes its great to be on a team that wins but if your kid hates the gym, hates the coach, etc then she won't do well. Every gym is different and that is a good thing because there are alot of gymnasts out there that need something different to succeed. Untill you go and see what they are like you will never know which fits you, your family and your daughter best. Keep in mind too when the gyms do evaluate your DD she may not make a team right away most gyms want a tryout and evaluation session so be prepared for that too.
 
I am not "looking" to switch as much as I am doing my homework. She was on 3 different cheer teams until we found the one that was best for us. I want to make sure I am making an informed decision before paying for all the comp stuff. She is happy where she is at and since I don't know any better, yet, I am as well.

I don't watch practice or too long, it's not my thing. There are 2 coaches and 10 or 12 girls. When I am there they aren't standing around too much, at least not for me to ask questions. When working floor they have a bunch of stations set up so they aren't waiting for more than a minute.

I LOVE her coach, she is really great. She is my other dd's pre-team coach and she made her feel welcome and comfortable. Especially when she didn't want to go into the big gym out of fear.

So all in all this post has made me confident that where she is now is where she needs to be.

Thanks to everyone for your advice, I appreciate it!

Sounds like you have a good fit already. I would keep her where she is unless there is someother reason you feel a need to change.
 
To be honest it seems like getting a little ahead of the situation. It doesn't make sense to switch unless there's a concrete reason, because there is often an adjustment period that can be associated with some setbacks, not to mention the emotional toll on the child. "Grass is always greener", but no gym is going to be without some bumps in the road. I'm sure many of us who spent a decade+ at a gym could attest to that. If you really like the coaches and dd is happy and progressing reasonably, I would stay without a doubt. Can't ask for much more, in my opinion.

Also to answer the question, I think out of context it does mean little. Team size generally has a lot to do with success at compulsory team competitions, first of all. And every year/compulsory group is slightly different. It could be smaller year or bigger year for one of them, one of them may just be a smaller program, one of them may stress compulsory routines less but have a more successful optional program.

I think the best indicator of how the "average" child's gymnastics career will be "successfully" happy is to look at how many high schoolers are still on team - at ALL optional levels. The vast majority of gymnasts will not reach L9 or 10, even if they want to stay in competitive gymnastics. 7 or 8 is more realistic for many, as the requirements are more in reach and generally more flexible to skill substitution (also, they are easier levels, to state the obvious). Retention rates (as well as the presence of optionals) are often an indicator that a) the program can prepare gymnasts for the optional level and b) that kids are making it to high school without getting injured out, burned out, or just cut out because they aren't going to be a 12-14 yr old L10.

I agree with this. In our area most of the High Schools have a girls gym team and most of the girls in that 14 yo range will usually tryout and make the highschool teams if they still want to continue on in gymnastics. Those that don't make it on a school team I have seen at the gyms at L9 and L10 but they almost never last more than a season.
 
I think I am the queen of stressing out about DD's gymnastics,LOL:rolleyes:. Seriously...I got started on blood pressure meds during DD's L6 year. But I think L6 does that to a lot of parents, LOL:p! I realize this is an expensive sport...but please consider your DD's happiness as the return on your investment...not the number of medals she brings home from meets. I know it's difficult, but please resist the urge to become "one of those moms". Always remember it is your DD's sport. Being supportive is great. But when the parents get too competitive...it sucks the joy right out of it for the kids(and their teammates & the other parents) like a great big vacuum:eek:. It should be fun for her, especially at L4! Hey... if it ain't fun now....it ain't never gonna be fun:p! Try to enjoy her time at L4...sounds like she's at a good gym, with good coaches...let them work their magic with her. She's used to cheer competitions...she'll do fine at meets. I bet she'll do you proud with her skills, by the time the 1st meet rolls around:D. Relax mom...the kids are alright:D. JMHO.

Totally agree with this post--it's great to look around at other gyms, but keep in mind that scores at meets aren't everything. There's a gym near here that does great at meets--scores well, but the girls in general, aren't happy there. Sounds like the gym she's at is perfect for her now :)
 
The other thing to keep in mind if you do look at other gyms is that meet results are only a small part of the overall picture. Especially at lower levels, you need to look at the meet results in relation to philosophy and how the gym's achieving those results. At level 4 and 5, most gyms can get high scores if they're having kids repeat those levels and drilling a lot of routines. Some very good competive gyms move the kids through the compulsory levels quickly and spend more time up training. Those gyms might have more middle of the pack results at the lower levels, but still produce strong optional gymnasts.
 
my mistake, i actually thought you were looking for a place to send your daughter for gymnastics training.
 
We have moved around the country a lot with my gymmies. (level 9 and 5)I look at several factors before deciding on a gym.

How clean is the gym. This is usually an indicator of how involved the owners are in the gym and how much they care about the gym and the kids.

What kind of shape is the equipment in. This goes along with the earilier observation. You don't want a lot of broken or ripped equipment around. It is unsafe and also an indicator of the owners feelings toward the gym. This is an expensive sport and you need to be able to see that a owner/coach is willing to put the money into the team program.

Are most of the girls happy? There is always going to be someone having issues especially at the optional levels. They are hard skills with lots of bad days before the good ones. However, if most of the girls are laughing and chatting, they feel comfortable and are enjoying the enormous amount of hours they spend there.

Structure - Do the girls have a fairly structured practice schedule. You want the girls to have fun but this is not a playdate. They need to have a balance of structure and fun with a coach that is relaxed but keeps the girls on task.

Technique - This is a biggie for me. Are they letting the kids get by with poor technique? I think sloppy practice habits are unsafe and lead to sloppy competition. Also, poor technique at the earlier levels leads to problems at the later levels. The first gym that my dd went to taught such great technique that every gym she went to after that commented on it. I have seen many kids that came from gyms that had poor technique spend hours relearning a skill in order to progress to the next level.

Scores - This is not the end all be all of gymnastics but it is an indicator of their level of ability to coach and do it well. I do look at scores. If the team scores well then they usually have a good handle on all of the above! If they don't, they are usually lacking in one of the areas above.

Progression - This is also a biggie for me. Are they moving the girls up when it is in the girl's best interest or the gym's. Are they holding kids back to win state or are they moving them when they have the ability for the next level. I think you need to be at a gym that is more interested in the progression of the kid than winning state. If the kid is both mentally and physically ready for the next level are they willing to move them. The gyms that hold kids back tend to do it at compulsory levels and then have few optionals or mostly older optionals.

Hope this helps!
 
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