WAG Questions to ask when scouting new gyms

[tckc]

We are considering switching gyms this season for my 8 year old, and I would appreciate some advice on the right way to go about evaluating them, since clearly we didn't do a very good job last time (hence the need to switch). I know the basics to ask, like training hours, fees, number of meets, etc. And I will ask about staff turnover for sure, because consistency of coaching has been our biggest issue at our current gym. What are some other key questions you'd recommend that would help me evaluate their coaching style and commitment to coaching my daughter? Thanks!

 

[trampolinemom]

How would you handle... questions are always good. Like how would you handle injuries, unmotivated kids, fear issues. What kind of commitment do you expect, from both gymnast and parents. This will give you an idea of the environment. Also if possible ask these questions to other parents of team kids.

 

[mls529]

I would also ask their philosophy on uptraining, repeating levels, etc. I wish I knew that before we were on team -- also gives insight into gym culture.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

We are considering switching gyms this season for my 8 year old, and I would appreciate some advice on the right way to go about evaluating them, since clearly we didn't do a very good job last time (hence the need to switch). I know the basics to ask, like training hours, fees, number of meets, etc. And I will ask about staff turnover for sure, because consistency of coaching has been our biggest issue at our current gym. What are some other key questions you'd recommend that would help me evaluate their coaching style and commitment to coaching my daughter? Thanks!

You may want to go to mymeetscores.com and sift through the 9-10 team. Click on each kid and see if they were brought up through the gym. thats kind of a big deal ....

 

[kayjaybe]

You may want to go to mymeetscores.com and sift through the 9-10 team. Click on each kid and see if they were brought up through the gym. thats kind of a big deal ....

Well, it depends on what your goals are if that is a big deal. Although at 8 yo, it is tough to tell how goals might change over the years.

If you asked dd what her goals were when she started team at 9 yo, she probably would have said to go to the Olympics and also do college gymnastics. Now, as a 16 yo who struggles with mental blocks and knee issues, she just wants to move to L9 as an event specialist and has no interest in doing gymnastics in college.

 

[thefellowsmom]

Well, it depends on what your goals are if that is a big deal. Although at 8 yo, it is tough to tell how goals might change over the years.

If you asked dd what her goals were when she started team at 9 yo, she probably would have said to go to the Olympics and also do college gymnastics. Now, as a 16 yo who struggles with mental blocks and knee issues, she just wants to move to L9 as an event specialist and has no interest in doing gymnastics in college.

Yes, but at 8 years old I would think the goal would be to give her the opportunity to make that choice for herself down the road. A gym with good foundations, kids who stay at the gym through their careers and move up to be successful at the higher levels leaves all opportunities and choices available. Just because it might not work out for a child or they may someday make a different choice does not mean that you shouldn’t care about the long term potentials when you are starting out.

To OP. In addition to all the good advice you have been given, I would look not only at the gymnastics and coaches but also about the ownership. Is the gym coach owned or owned by a separate owner with the coaches as employees? Neither is Good or bad in itself, but if owner is not coach then the philosophy and scruples of the owner make a huge difference.

 

[JBS]

Here’s one that will make you seem crazy... so I might not ask it. However... as head coach I always give this information so they understand our culture.

“What is the overall mission of the club/company and how do the goals of the team program fit with this mission?”

This will either get you into a long conversation in which you do no talking and the coach outlines everything about the club...

...or pretty much nothing.

The first result is much better than the second.

 

[NY Dad]

Here's a list of questions I found somewhere (or I may have compiled part of this, I don't really remember) when my dd was switching gyms. It should give you some good ideas about questions to ask.

1. Why do you think competitive gymnastics is good for my child?
2. What is the philosophy of your program?
3. What are some of the objectives of your program?
4. As a coach, what are your goals?
5. How do you define success?
6. How do you define failure?
7. How essential is talent to being successful in this sport?
8. What traits do kids have who are successful in your program?
9. What traits do parents have who are happy in your program?
10. What is one of your happiest moments coaching?
11. Did you do competitive gymnastics or another sport competitively?
12. What was your best memory about doing your sport?
13. How did you learn to coach?
14. What is you favorite thing to coach?
15. What is your favorite thing about coaching?
16. What do you not like about coaching?
17. Is the gym management supportive of the coaching staff?
18. Do you work alone, with a coaching partner or with multiple partners?
19. How do you divide the coaching responsibilities? (event or day or level)
20. What is the time commitment expected?
21. What is the financial commitment expected?
22. How long can I expect my child to have this schedule?
23. What does the next level’s schedule look like?
24. What does the highest level athlete’s schedule look like?
25. How frequently does the schedule change?
26. How frequently do the coaches change?
27. If my child’s coach is absent, who is the substitute?
28. How does that substitute know what to work on with my child?
29. Are there more hours of training during school holidays?
30. Are those optional or mandated?
31. Are private lessons expected? How many do most kids take?
32. How is the curriculum for each level determined?
33. How much up-training is there?
34. Is mental training part of your curriculum?
35. Do athletes set goals?
36. What are the closures for holidays?
37. What is the tuition?
38. What other fees are associated?
39. Is there a Booster Club? What are the fees and volunteer responsibilities?
40. Is there fundraising? How does it work? Do we have to participate?
41. What are the expectations of the parents?
42. Can I watch practice?
43. Do you have rules regarding how much parents can watch practice?
44. How do you communicate progress or problems?
45. How do I communicate with you if I have a question, comment or concern?
46. What are the coaches qualifications?
47. What does the club look for in hiring coaches?
48. What kind of on going training do coaches receive?
49. What happens if my child gets hurt?
50. How do you communicate injuries with parents?
51. What is your policy on training kids when they are injured?
52. Does someone have CPR and/or First Aid training?
53. Where do you keep First Aid supplies?
54. Does your club have emergency plans?
55. How frequently are the emergency plans reviewed with the staff?
56. If the gym had to be evacuated, where would my child go?
57. How frequently are background checks conducted?
58. Are their outside coaches or specialists that work with my child? (i.e. ballet teacher; trainer) If so, are they background checked by the gym?
59. What is the club’s policy on the number of staff who need to present in the club if there with a child?
60. How frequently is the gym cleaned?
61. How frequently is the equipment checked for safety?
62. Is a written record of equipment safety kept?
63. How do you handle discipline issues?
64. How do you handle fear?
65. What happens if my child wants to quit?
66. What happens if my child cries during practice?
67. How do you deal with conflict between kids?
68. What about bullying?
69. What about jealousy?
70. Generally speaking, what are the parents at the club like?
71. Do you have a sports psychologist your club recommends?
72. Do you have a physical therapist that your club recommends?
73. Do the kids get a break during practice?
74. Are they allowed to have a snack?
75. What is your policy on discussing weight with your gymnasts?
76. Do you weigh gymnasts?
77. Do we have to attend all meets?
78. What are the club’s rules and policies regarding meets?
79. How are meet fees and coaches fees handled?
80. How do you monitor my child’s progress?
81. How will I know if my child is making progress?
82. How do you decide when children move up a level?
83. How is that communicated?
84. Is there someone in the office until the gym closes?
85. Okay to arrive early/leave late for scheduling? Somewhere for her to study?
86. How much are the competition leotards?
87. Warm up suits?
88. Bags?
89. How often do these items change?
90. Are there other pieces of apparel I will have to purchase?
91. How is choreography dealt with at the gym?
92. Can my child choose her own floor music?
93. Is that my responsibility or does the club do that?
94. Who does floor and beam choreography?
95. Can i bring in an outside choreographer?
96. What are the fees for choreography?
97. Who manages the gym?
98. What are their qualifications?
99. Does the gym seem like a happy place, a safe place, a place you want to leave your children for many hours a week?

 

[JBS]

Here's a list of questions I found somewhere (or I may have compiled part of this, I don't really remember) when my dd was switching gyms. It should give you some good ideas about questions to ask.

1. Why do you think competitive gymnastics is good for my child?
2. What is the philosophy of your program?
3. What are some of the objectives of your program?
4. As a coach, what are your goals?
5. How do you define success?
6. How do you define failure?
7. How essential is talent to being successful in this sport?
8. What traits do kids have who are successful in your program?
9. What traits do parents have who are happy in your program?
10. What is one of your happiest moments coaching?
11. Did you do competitive gymnastics or another sport competitively?
12. What was your best memory about doing your sport?
13. How did you learn to coach?
14. What is you favorite thing to coach?
15. What is your favorite thing about coaching?
16. What do you not like about coaching?
17. Is the gym management supportive of the coaching staff?
18. Do you work alone, with a coaching partner or with multiple partners?
19. How do you divide the coaching responsibilities? (event or day or level)
20. What is the time commitment expected?
21. What is the financial commitment expected?
22. How long can I expect my child to have this schedule?
23. What does the next level’s schedule look like?
24. What does the highest level athlete’s schedule look like?
25. How frequently does the schedule change?
26. How frequently do the coaches change?
27. If my child’s coach is absent, who is the substitute?
28. How does that substitute know what to work on with my child?
29. Are there more hours of training during school holidays?
30. Are those optional or mandated?
31. Are private lessons expected? How many do most kids take?
32. How is the curriculum for each level determined?
33. How much up-training is there?
34. Is mental training part of your curriculum?
35. Do athletes set goals?
36. What are the closures for holidays?
37. What is the tuition?
38. What other fees are associated?
39. Is there a Booster Club? What are the fees and volunteer responsibilities?
40. Is there fundraising? How does it work? Do we have to participate?
41. What are the expectations of the parents?
42. Can I watch practice?
43. Do you have rules regarding how much parents can watch practice?
44. How do you communicate progress or problems?
45. How do I communicate with you if I have a question, comment or concern?
46. What are the coaches qualifications?
47. What does the club look for in hiring coaches?
48. What kind of on going training do coaches receive?
49. What happens if my child gets hurt?
50. How do you communicate injuries with parents?
51. What is your policy on training kids when they are injured?
52. Does someone have CPR and/or First Aid training?
53. Where do you keep First Aid supplies?
54. Does your club have emergency plans?
55. How frequently are the emergency plans reviewed with the staff?
56. If the gym had to be evacuated, where would my child go?
57. How frequently are background checks conducted?
58. Are their outside coaches or specialists that work with my child? (i.e. ballet teacher; trainer) If so, are they background checked by the gym?
59. What is the club’s policy on the number of staff who need to present in the club if there with a child?
60. How frequently is the gym cleaned?
61. How frequently is the equipment checked for safety?
62. Is a written record of equipment safety kept?
63. How do you handle discipline issues?
64. How do you handle fear?
65. What happens if my child wants to quit?
66. What happens if my child cries during practice?
67. How do you deal with conflict between kids?
68. What about bullying?
69. What about jealousy?
70. Generally speaking, what are the parents at the club like?
71. Do you have a sports psychologist your club recommends?
72. Do you have a physical therapist that your club recommends?
73. Do the kids get a break during practice?
74. Are they allowed to have a snack?
75. What is your policy on discussing weight with your gymnasts?
76. Do you weigh gymnasts?
77. Do we have to attend all meets?
78. What are the club’s rules and policies regarding meets?
79. How are meet fees and coaches fees handled?
80. How do you monitor my child’s progress?
81. How will I know if my child is making progress?
82. How do you decide when children move up a level?
83. How is that communicated?
84. Is there someone in the office until the gym closes?
85. Okay to arrive early/leave late for scheduling? Somewhere for her to study?
86. How much are the competition leotards?
87. Warm up suits?
88. Bags?
89. How often do these items change?
90. Are there other pieces of apparel I will have to purchase?
91. How is choreography dealt with at the gym?
92. Can my child choose her own floor music?
93. Is that my responsibility or does the club do that?
94. Who does floor and beam choreography?
95. Can i bring in an outside choreographer?
96. What are the fees for choreography?
97. Who manages the gym?
98. What are their qualifications?
99. Does the gym seem like a happy place, a safe place, a place you want to leave your children for many hours a week?

Much of this is answered in our team handbook... but I have to say... if I had that many questions from a parent... I would definitely be guiding them to our recreational program.

 

[JBS]

Much of this is answered in our team handbook... but I have to say... if I had that many questions from a parent... I would definitely be guiding them to our recreational program.

With that being said... these are all good questions... and this place was create so everyone could learn more about gymnastics.

 

[ProvB]

How much do they uptrain? What is the attendance policy? Is there a club required move up score? Do they have upper optionals? Parent viewing policy?

 

[tucktwisttumble]

Much of this is answered in our team handbook... but I have to say... if I had that many questions from a parent... I would definitely be guiding them to our recreational program.

I had the same thought "wow that's a lot of questions"...

But that being said - is it not all stuff parents have the right to know?
What happens if they don't have a team handbook that covers it all?

How does a parent go about getting these answers without appearing a CGM? Is that possible?

 

[MILgymFAM]

Here's a list of questions I found somewhere (or I may have compiled part of this, I don't really remember) when my dd was switching gyms. It should give you some good ideas about questions to ask.

1. Why do you think competitive gymnastics is good for my child?
2. What is the philosophy of your program?
3. What are some of the objectives of your program?
4. As a coach, what are your goals?
5. How do you define success?
6. How do you define failure?
7. How essential is talent to being successful in this sport?
8. What traits do kids have who are successful in your program?
9. What traits do parents have who are happy in your program?
10. What is one of your happiest moments coaching?
11. Did you do competitive gymnastics or another sport competitively?
12. What was your best memory about doing your sport?
13. How did you learn to coach?
14. What is you favorite thing to coach?
15. What is your favorite thing about coaching?
16. What do you not like about coaching?
17. Is the gym management supportive of the coaching staff?
18. Do you work alone, with a coaching partner or with multiple partners?
19. How do you divide the coaching responsibilities? (event or day or level)
20. What is the time commitment expected?
21. What is the financial commitment expected?
22. How long can I expect my child to have this schedule?
23. What does the next level’s schedule look like?
24. What does the highest level athlete’s schedule look like?
25. How frequently does the schedule change?
26. How frequently do the coaches change?
27. If my child’s coach is absent, who is the substitute?
28. How does that substitute know what to work on with my child?
29. Are there more hours of training during school holidays?
30. Are those optional or mandated?
31. Are private lessons expected? How many do most kids take?
32. How is the curriculum for each level determined?
33. How much up-training is there?
34. Is mental training part of your curriculum?
35. Do athletes set goals?
36. What are the closures for holidays?
37. What is the tuition?
38. What other fees are associated?
39. Is there a Booster Club? What are the fees and volunteer responsibilities?
40. Is there fundraising? How does it work? Do we have to participate?
41. What are the expectations of the parents?
42. Can I watch practice?
43. Do you have rules regarding how much parents can watch practice?
44. How do you communicate progress or problems?
45. How do I communicate with you if I have a question, comment or concern?
46. What are the coaches qualifications?
47. What does the club look for in hiring coaches?
48. What kind of on going training do coaches receive?
49. What happens if my child gets hurt?
50. How do you communicate injuries with parents?
51. What is your policy on training kids when they are injured?
52. Does someone have CPR and/or First Aid training?
53. Where do you keep First Aid supplies?
54. Does your club have emergency plans?
55. How frequently are the emergency plans reviewed with the staff?
56. If the gym had to be evacuated, where would my child go?
57. How frequently are background checks conducted?
58. Are their outside coaches or specialists that work with my child? (i.e. ballet teacher; trainer) If so, are they background checked by the gym?
59. What is the club’s policy on the number of staff who need to present in the club if there with a child?
60. How frequently is the gym cleaned?
61. How frequently is the equipment checked for safety?
62. Is a written record of equipment safety kept?
63. How do you handle discipline issues?
64. How do you handle fear?
65. What happens if my child wants to quit?
66. What happens if my child cries during practice?
67. How do you deal with conflict between kids?
68. What about bullying?
69. What about jealousy?
70. Generally speaking, what are the parents at the club like?
71. Do you have a sports psychologist your club recommends?
72. Do you have a physical therapist that your club recommends?
73. Do the kids get a break during practice?
74. Are they allowed to have a snack?
75. What is your policy on discussing weight with your gymnasts?
76. Do you weigh gymnasts?
77. Do we have to attend all meets?
78. What are the club’s rules and policies regarding meets?
79. How are meet fees and coaches fees handled?
80. How do you monitor my child’s progress?
81. How will I know if my child is making progress?
82. How do you decide when children move up a level?
83. How is that communicated?
84. Is there someone in the office until the gym closes?
85. Okay to arrive early/leave late for scheduling? Somewhere for her to study?
86. How much are the competition leotards?
87. Warm up suits?
88. Bags?
89. How often do these items change?
90. Are there other pieces of apparel I will have to purchase?
91. How is choreography dealt with at the gym?
92. Can my child choose her own floor music?
93. Is that my responsibility or does the club do that?
94. Who does floor and beam choreography?
95. Can i bring in an outside choreographer?
96. What are the fees for choreography?
97. Who manages the gym?
98. What are their qualifications?
99. Does the gym seem like a happy place, a safe place, a place you want to leave your children for many hours a week?

It is a lot of questions. Honestly I would lose a couple of them and then I would wish every gym would copy the rest and put them into a digital handbook and make it available online to the public. Transparency is my favorite thing, and most gyms seem to be about as transparent as mud.

 

[duyetanh]

You may want to go to mymeetscores.com and sift through the 9-10 team. Click on each kid and see if they were brought up through the gym. thats kind of a big deal ....

It’s honestly a really big deal, and is what makes those gyms really special.

 

[tckc]

Thank you all so much! One of the gyms were are looking at is only a couple of years old, so mymeetscores isn't much help there. It did give me a good perspective on the other gyms though! And I appreciate all the help with the questions, too. I might not ask all 100, but it did help me key in on what my daughter and I really care about. I am about to post a question about NOT switching, so you are all forewarned.

 

[NY Dad]

if I had that many questions from a parent... I would definitely be guiding them to our recreational program.

LOL. I’m one of the least experienced gym parents on CB (This is my dd’s first year on team). So take my advice with a grain of salt.

That having been said when I bought a treadmill, in addition to my list of questions; I had my running shoes with me for my test run. (Yes, I was running on the display treadmill). When I was buying a dishwasher, salespeople were walking away from me when I came in with a box containing my place settings and various food containers to make sure they fit okay. If I weren’t this way, I never would have found CB.

I’m not sure how it normally works, but in our case I didn’t get the team handbook until my dd was offered a spot on the team. At that point, I didn’t know what was covered in the team handbook and I saw this as potentially my only chance to ask my unanswered questions.

I started out with my comprehensive list of questions (the list that I posted above). Then I determined which I thought were important enough for me to need to know the answers.

I was able to gather a lot of info before I stepped foot in the gym (thanks to several CBers that gave me some pointers). It might have been easier for me b/c I found a parent that liked several posts on the gym’s FB page. NY Mom then contacted this parent through FB and this person provided a lot of helpful information. Since my dd hadn’t competed before (she had been on pre-team), I wasn’t too worried about anyone finding out that my dd was looking for a new team. I know it’s a lot more difficult when you’ve been competing for a few years.

 

[JBS]

@NY Dad Good to have you here. Here are some quotes from some of my posts over the years...

The Chalk Bucket was founded on the concept that the different groups (parents, gymnasts, coaches) in the sport of gymnastics see things differently sometimes.

The Chalk Bucket was created to allow each group in the world of gymnastics to see through the other groups eyes.

ChalkBucket was created in September of 2005 to help everyone learn more about gymnastics.

There's no better place to gather 'round and talk than the chalk bucket.

 

[CoachAlex]

As a coach I would suggest watching these gyms at meets - how do the coaches/athletes/parents respond to a “good” routine? How do they respond to a routine with mistakes? How do the girls interact with each other, do they look happy? What about the parents? I know that doesn’t necessarily translate to what its like day-to-day in the gym, but it does give you a little window into the gym culture, etc. Not so much specific questions, but the people you are asking questions to should not only seem knowledgeable but comfortable giving you the information, and if they don’t have the information, they should be able to direct you to the person who does. For instance, if I am speaking with a new parent about the competitive program her child is joining I can answer all of the gymnastics-related questions, when it comes to tuition questions, I know exactly who they need to speak with regarding that. While yes, asking 100 questions IS a little overboard, they should be willing to answer them. That being said, once you are on a team, it is greatly appreciated when parents actually READ the emails that we send to them because 9 times out of 10 I get questions from parents that they have the answer to, they just didn’t read.

 

[NY Dad]

Sorry to derail the thread.

@NY Dad Good to have you here.

Thanks for having me.

The Chalk Bucket was founded on the concept that the different groups (parents, gymnasts, coaches) in the sport of gymnastics see things differently sometimes.

The Chalk Bucket was created to allow each group in the world of gymnastics to see through the other groups eyes.

ChalkBucket was created in September of 2005 to help everyone learn more about gymnastics.

There's no better place to gather 'round and talk than the chalk bucket.

And that's exactly what you’ve created.

On behalf of gym parents (and I'm pretty sure gymnasts, coaches, and judges) around the world, thank you for creating Chalkbucket. I stopped by nearly two years ago to ask a question, I’ve stuck around because of the supportive, helpful, super knowledgeable, empathetic members that I’ve met here. I’ve even made some great friends through CB.