Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To travel 50 mins for gymnastics?

19 replies

mrdvb · 22/07/2023 12:56

DS is starting reception in September.

He is absolutely desperate to start gymnastics, but the only place near to us that properly cater for boys is a 50 minute drive away.

Am I crazy to consider this?

OP posts:

Alargeoneplease89 · 22/07/2023 12:59

If you can afford the fuel and time then definitely

Imdrivinginmygetawaycar · 22/07/2023 13:02

It does sound crazy yes. Especially when. 4/5.

Is there nowhere nearer?!

Imdrivinginmygetawaycar · 22/07/2023 13:03

Our local one has boys and girls together to begin with at that age. Can you start closer and move if he shows aptitude and loves it. Maybe around 7?

TeenDivided · 22/07/2023 13:03

How is boys gymnastics different from girls gymnastics at age 5?

RichTeaCheddars · 22/07/2023 13:28

It's mixed at that age.

Wanderingowl · 22/07/2023 13:32

Honestly, it's unrealistic. My DS started an activity that distance away from us between lockdowns in 2020. It seemed doable when there was pretty much nothing else to do but even at that, it very, very quickly wore thin.

Hankunamatata · 22/07/2023 13:35

Surely he can do mixed classes at that age. He just wear shorts and t shirt

Wenfy · 22/07/2023 13:38

TeenDivided · 22/07/2023 13:03

How is boys gymnastics different from girls gymnastics at age 5?

A lot of classes aimed at 4/5 are actually designed to spot talented girls. Only the real basics are covered, the talented girls often get moved to another group, and the rest either stick around in a basic class until they move up/drop out. It you want your boy to compete you need a specific boys’ class.

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 22/07/2023 13:40

Yeah. At 5 I don’t think you need to specifically cater to boys. Isn’t there a general one closer?

booktokbear · 22/07/2023 13:43

I find that even a class 15/20 mins away ends up making a super busy evening with snack beforehand, travel both ways and tea after.

Chuck in a long drive and you'll be fed up of it after a few weeks I'm sure.

ItsRainingAgainnn · 22/07/2023 13:46

As someone that travels an hour (so 2 hours round trip) for DC in a sports club (every day), I'd advise against it!! Once you start and he starts making friends/enjoying it all, you won't be able to then take him out. We've been doing this madness for 3 years now and I'm exhausted.

That said, we do do it, so it can be done! But age 4/5 is probably a bit young to start this craziness!

drpet49 · 22/07/2023 13:49

I think you are mad for considering this.

IglesiasPiggl · 22/07/2023 13:55

That would be insane. I would start with one closer to home, and if it looks like your DS enjoys it and has a talent for it, reconsider it in a year's time.

QuillBill · 22/07/2023 13:58

I think it's too much. Especially when he's just started school and in the autumn term when it's dark and cold.

TropicalTrama · 22/07/2023 14:05

Yes you’re mad because a 4YO beginner doesn’t need a boy specific class. I would start him in whatever class there is locally and in a year if he’s still really into it and shows a lot of promise then and only then would I consider doing that length of journey.

Diddykong · 22/07/2023 14:07

What does he like about it? Are there trampoline or martial arts clubs closer that might offer the same skills (balance etc)

Pinkdelight3 · 22/07/2023 14:12

How is a kid that age so desperate to do gymnastics? Where is he hearing about it from that's got him so aware of it and mad keen to be doing lessons? Unless he's showing some truly exceptional talent, I'd stick with local classes (dance or general PE activities) and wait and see if it's a real thing he's truly into or a passing thing he'll tire of, because you've got a long time of it ahead.

1992H · 22/07/2023 14:49

Does it even work time wise? For that age I struggle to get to a class 15 minutes away on time as they start half an hour after school ends

jaenhut · 22/07/2023 19:42

We sometimes spend up to 50 min travelling for a music class for my 5yo. In our case it's not actually that far in distance, but it's a long winded bus route so it takes that long (sometimes we get the tube to get there quicker, but as the class doesn't start until later there's often no point in getting there earlier). It does make for a very long evening, I have to pack up dinner in a food tin, and I bring some entertainment for the journey.

We used to live closer to the music class, but we moved, but it's quite a unique approach so we were keen to continue after moving. We probably wouldn't have opted to start going there with that journey time tbh. It's a short term thing as well, as from next year she'll change to a different location. I can see the appeal for gymnastics, as the good clubs are worth travelling for, and it's a sport that needs to be started young. I would suggest trying it for a term, with the thought that they can stop if it's too much.

Flip