Gymnastics query

[throwitin]

My DD is only 3.5yo but I'm thinking about getting her involved in a gymnastics club as she's shown an interest in it.

She's had a taster session at a local one with some great looking facilities. My DD seemed to have a great time and says she would like to attend regularly.

I just can't shake this feeling that it wasn't a nice place.

This is the first activity where she is expected to take part without me (I can see from a viewing area). Before now extra classes have seemed more for fun - which is what I want for her at this age. If you take part then great but with small attention spans they may run off and muck about - no pressure is really put on them.

Is it reasonable at this age to be more strict with getting them to participate? Gently pulling them back in when they run off for example (but being kind and reassuring while also restricting them) The session leaders didn't offer smiles or praise I guess for good work. Just sort of looked for the next kid. Looking around the gym I could see other sessions taking a very strict and disciplinarian approach - I saw a child being told to do some crunches for not getting a jump (or whatever it was!) correct a couple times in a row, this girl was much older than mine but still very young, and miserable looking as a result!

Am I being very pfb about this all or is this to be expected when learning a new sport and as she gets older? What are your children's gymnastics clubs like? I'd hate to get her involved in a cold and toxic environment I guess...

If you have a child that loves gymnastics but don't want the competitive element, try a club that does gymfusion.

@CoastalWave sadly I think youre right its just so pervasive amongst gymnastics. The number of hours and the culture.

Its so sad that the kids accept it as "normal."

@GrrrlPwr yes, I totally agree

@CoastalWave thanks for sharing your experience. I've really taken on board everything you've said. I knew it could be a toxic sport but have been very naive and thought that it was mostly in America (for reasons I can't even explain now!)

I'm glad your daughter is good at it and enjoys it. Still, it must be hard for you not to point out all the ways it is so wrong - I actually felt like in the first session!

It's surprising that that's the opinion of an ex GB gymnast as I thought they'd be the first pushing for change - especially with the influence that you'd think they would have in the sport. Well, nope, that's not want to want to normalise for my daughter or 'get used to'.

Thank you again.

@pasadeda I may look into it but I think I've been put off all together! She may have to keep doing her hand stands and kart wheels in the lounge and use my sofas as her equipment!

@Bunnycat101 yes I agree. The little ones were actually treated differently to the older ones. My concerns were mostly from what I was seeing around me rather than my DD's session in particular. But thinking that this is the path I would be putting her on does not sit right at all.

@CoastalWave I agree it’s a nasty sport. I remember taking dd to the British championships in 2019. There were so many stressed girls. It was following this that dd quit. She was only ten and was under so much pressure to win medals, it had stopped being enjoyable. She moved to cheer which has been an eye opener! She loves it though.

@throwitin the other option is to look for a dance school that has a gymnastics or acro class. They don’t have the same feel as a true gymnastic club. They won’t do the beams and bars etc but will do the handstands, cartwheels, Ariels, bridge (so the floor work).

This is why we sent our DD to Little Gym. I’m sure it’s sneered at by “proper” gymnasts, but there are massive viewing areas and (especially as they get older) the classes are small and everyone gets close attention and supervision.

The traditional gym clubs around here are still busy channeling the Communist Era vibe - no way am I putting my child through that.

I'm so so glad I found this thread today. My son, also 3 just now (will be 4 in October) is going to his first gymnastics class this afternoon. We signed him up as my husband and I thought it'd be a great outlet for him to have fun and learn more about his body. He's always climbing and jumping off things, and doing handstands and forward rolls. He spends half his life upside down. He's desperate to get into climbing but unfortunately our local climbing walls have stopped doing their kid's clubs for under 6s, so I thought gymnastics would be a good alternative.

I'd imagined the young gymnastics classes would be fun and non-competitive, but having read this thread I'm now worried I've signed him up for something completely different. I think I'm allowed to stay for the class this afternoon so I'll keep a close eye out for any sort of weird vibe. I want him to have fun and hopefully make some friends, not be pushed into spending hours and hours training each week. Thanks for this thread, OP. I didn't have a clue about gymnastics clubs before reading this!

Thank you all.

@TheBeastReleased I'd be interested to get your feedback so please come back and let me know.

I hope it's a nice place and your DS enjoys himself. There's no harm in trying and you know what to look out for now.

There's a bit less pressure on boys (beyond the basic safety discipline stuff) as they (a) peak later and (b) are less common so clubs have to work to keep the ones they get.

I started toddler gym with my DS and after being ok with the vibe let my 6 yo girl go to her age sessions. Will admit that I waited until she had other sporting interests plus looks like she'll be tall to limit risks of needing to go beyond recreational level...

TheBeastReleased Don’t panic. Gymnastics can be brilliant. We are at a lovely rec club and both my girls adore it. They are strict but there is no pressure. It’s one of the best activities we did at a pre-school age and I think was excellent preparation for school.

Agree with don't panic! At preschool age it's just another fun thing to do. If they enjoy it carry on, if not try something else. Things I'd look for, smallish groups so they're well supervised and not waiting around for a turn. Getting to play with different toys or climb on apparatus for a nice varied session. Friendly people.

If at a later stage they want to get more serious you can look around at options again. Signing up to rec classes doesn't commit you to taking the 18 hours a week route any more than toddler football signs you up for your local premiership club's academy or swimming lessons to 6am starts and all weekend galas.

DD has been doing gym since preschool age. She's still happily doing rec at 9. Her club has serious competitive squads but they don't short change the rec groups, DD usually has 6-8 in her group, gets to go on all the apparatus, learns new skills and has fun.

I’d view it like any other club. If you’re unsure try a different one. You’ll find one that’s the right fit.
Over the years with 3 kids we have tried 5 swimming lesson providers, 3 tennis coaches, 4 climbing walls, 2 football sessions, 3 gymnastics clubs….before settling on favourites.

Listen to your gut. If it feels off then it is probably is. Extra curriculars should be enjoyable. You will know when you have found the right club when she skips out smiling and happy.

Personally, I’d say keep looking. I’ve heard a lot of stories about people having awful gyms but my experience has only ever been with friendly and welcoming staff who were firm but kind.
I think at this age it should be engaging for them and fun - if it’s not then it’s not the right place place