Choosing a Gymnastics Club

There are SO many decisions that parents have to make for the children everyday.  These choices can often be stressful because we want to do the very best to create a healthy, happy, well rounded child.  If you are already in the position to choose a gymnastics club, I am sure that you have considered things like: is this the right activity for my child, is my child excited about gymnastics, and is the cost of gymnastics reasonable for our current family situation/budget?

Step 1: Grab a Phonebook and Make Some Phone Calls
The phonebook will give you the location of the gym relative to your house.  When speaking to someone over the phone, you want to ask about the program(s) that they have for your child at the current time: duration of class, cost, instructor to child ratio, and their process for progression and evaluation.  You also want to ask what kind of programs that they offer for the future, both recreational and competitive.  At the end of the call, if you are satisfied with the program, you should ask if you can come observe a class and/or let your child try a class.

Step 2: Observe/Try a Class
The test for the gymnastics club begins before the class even starts.  When you walk in the door, you should evaluate the atmosphere.  Is the staff friendly?  Is the lobby/observation area and gym area clean?  Is there a place to watch your child?  How is the mood of the children and parent's in the observation area?

While observing the class, you want to make sure that the kids are active, not spending most of the class sitting.  Are the instructors having fun and interacting appropriately with the children?  Also, while you are observing, talk with some of the other parents and find out about their experiences with the club. 

Step 3:  Ask Additional Questions
After the gym and class meets your approval, it is time to ask a few more questions.  What is the policy for inclement weather?  Do they have gym have rules for staff, students and parents?  What forms of communication are used to notify parents of different situations (behavior, class day/time changes, advancing in level, etc)?  Are the staff/instructors required to do continuing training?  Are the staff certified in CPR/Basic First Aid?  Do they have a guarantee/refund policy? 

Step 4:  Arrive at a Decision
At this point, you should be ready to make a decision.  We all know as parents that we do not always make the perfect decision the first time, but remember two things.  Number One, you have done your due diligence in researching the gym and Number Two, no decision is ever final.  You may find out that your child doesn't really like gymnastics, the club is not the right fit for your child, or the club is not the right fit for you.  If they do not like gymnastics, it is time to move to the next activity.  If the club is not a good fit, there are other clubs out there, you can "interview" those other clubs and move on.

Remember, this decision is about YOUR child!  You must make them happy, healthy and well rounded above all else.  If it is their dreams to be the next Mary Lou Retton or Bart Conner, then it is your obligation as a parent to help them make that happen (if it is within your means to do so).  I wish you the best of luck in finding the perfect gymnastics club for your child and if you already have the perfect club, isn't it a GREAT feeling?!?