When kids walk into their first day of gymnastics you never know what they may wear. I have seen children come into the gym for class wearing things that not only make you laugh inside, but attire that makes it impossible for them to participate.
When it comes to gymnastics here are some things you shouldn't wear to class. Do not wear jeans. You can't move well in jeans, plus they have buttons and zippers that will scratch and chip the gymnastics equipment. Loose baggy shirts are also a no no. They can be dangerous because the gymnast could get caught up in the loose tee-shirt while tumbling. It is also very dangerous for the coach if they are spotting gymnasts with loose clothing. My co-worker spotted a gymnast on a back handspring and her finger got twisted in the gymnast's baggy tee shirt which broke her finger in three places. Don't wear socks, they make you slip. All jewelry (except stud earrings) should not be worn. Believe me; getting a hoop earring caught and ripped out is not fun! If you are allowed to wear shorts at your gym make sure they are fitted and PLEASE wear undies under them!
Way too many times my teenaged gymnast forgot to (or just chose not to) wear undies, and that is not a pretty sight. Another thing young children seem to wear are tights and skirts. These both are prohibited. It is very hard for a coach to spot a gymnast who is wearing a skirt or tights; this makes it is very slippery and it gets in the way of both, the gymnast and coach. Do not leave your hair down. Not only will your hair dangle in your face and get annoying but it can also be dangerous. If your hair is down it can get yanked out by your own hands while tumbling. Or even worse I have heard of girls getting their hair stuck in the trampoline springs, ouch!! Make sure you use only a ponytail holder in your hair. If you wear clips they will break and poke you when you do skills such as backward rolls, handstand forward rolls or even dive rolls.
If your acrobatic little one is serious about becoming a gymnast, consider looking for a school that offers multi-level training in gymnastics. Peninsula gyms have competitive and recreational programs that help children grow as an athlete and as an individual. Even if your child is not interested in becoming a competitive gymnast per se, these schools will turn each child into a skilled athlete while fostering an enthusiasm for physical development, discipline, and hard work.
Menlo Park Gymnastics
Since 1991, the city of Menlo Park has been offering gymnastic classes to aid the developmental growth of little ones in the area. Kids between the ages of 1 -3 can start in the KinderGym and KinderStars classes, parent-participation programs designed to improve flexibility, coordination, and give kids a chance to socialize with others. Once they graduate from these programs at three years old, students can continue on to the NewStars program, level 1 of their structured gymnastics program. This class is more structured than the others and focuses on fundamental gymnastics positions, floor exercises, and basic skills on the apparatuses. When students turn six, they can enter the developmental program based on USA Gymnastics Level I to Level V.
Menlo Park Gymnastics also offers tumbling classes for kids aged 8 and older. Unlike regular gymnastics classes, this one does not involve apparatus work. Instead, students exercise on the Tumble Trak and develop acrobatic skills on the mat. There are also high school and adult gymnastics classes for teens age 14 and older, recreational athletes, and former competitive gymnasts.
San Mateo Gymnastics
Many accomplished gymnasts in the Peninsula started out at Tumble Town in Belmont, San Mateo Gymnastics' facility for toddlers. Kids age six and younger learn coordination, balance, and basic gymnastics skills using Tumble Town's specialized equipment and large foam castle. Once they graduate, they can choose to enter the recreational program for boys or girls at the main facility. San Mateo Gymnastics has the newest and best equipment for Olympic events of each gender; girls learn the four Olympic events with dance and trampoline, while boys work on six events and a trampoline. If your child is exceptionally skilled, he or she may be invited to join the school's competitive program, which offers Competitive Teams as recommended by USA Gymnastics. At the competitive program, your child will train with internationally-renowned coaches and participate in statewide, nationwide, and international events. Of course, your child must have the passion and dedication to withstand hours of training and the pressures of competition.
Peninsula Gymnastics
At Peninsula Gymnastics in San Mateo, kids as young as 20 months can start their informal gymnastics training in the Guppies program. This co-ed parent-participation class teaches strength and coordination through fun games, obstacle courses, and upbeat music. Parents are allowed to join in on the fun and spot their kids as they learn to tumble, balance, and spin. From here, kids can move up to the recreational gymnastics program, where the small class sizes allow the instructor to personally guide and help each student. Classes are more structured and zero in on basic skills, safe apparatus use, and physical strength. Like San Mateo Gymnastics, Peninsula also transforms children into award-winning gymnasts in their Competitive Program. Children are selected according to their skill so that they may train and compete in USA Gymnastics' Junior Olympic and Junior Elite competitions.
When it comes to gymnastics here are some things you shouldn't wear to class. Do not wear jeans. You can't move well in jeans, plus they have buttons and zippers that will scratch and chip the gymnastics equipment. Loose baggy shirts are also a no no. They can be dangerous because the gymnast could get caught up in the loose tee-shirt while tumbling. It is also very dangerous for the coach if they are spotting gymnasts with loose clothing. My co-worker spotted a gymnast on a back handspring and her finger got twisted in the gymnast's baggy tee shirt which broke her finger in three places. Don't wear socks, they make you slip. All jewelry (except stud earrings) should not be worn. Believe me; getting a hoop earring caught and ripped out is not fun! If you are allowed to wear shorts at your gym make sure they are fitted and PLEASE wear undies under them!
Way too many times my teenaged gymnast forgot to (or just chose not to) wear undies, and that is not a pretty sight. Another thing young children seem to wear are tights and skirts. These both are prohibited. It is very hard for a coach to spot a gymnast who is wearing a skirt or tights; this makes it is very slippery and it gets in the way of both, the gymnast and coach. Do not leave your hair down. Not only will your hair dangle in your face and get annoying but it can also be dangerous. If your hair is down it can get yanked out by your own hands while tumbling. Or even worse I have heard of girls getting their hair stuck in the trampoline springs, ouch!! Make sure you use only a ponytail holder in your hair. If you wear clips they will break and poke you when you do skills such as backward rolls, handstand forward rolls or even dive rolls.
If your acrobatic little one is serious about becoming a gymnast, consider looking for a school that offers multi-level training in gymnastics. Peninsula gyms have competitive and recreational programs that help children grow as an athlete and as an individual. Even if your child is not interested in becoming a competitive gymnast per se, these schools will turn each child into a skilled athlete while fostering an enthusiasm for physical development, discipline, and hard work.
Menlo Park Gymnastics
Since 1991, the city of Menlo Park has been offering gymnastic classes to aid the developmental growth of little ones in the area. Kids between the ages of 1 -3 can start in the KinderGym and KinderStars classes, parent-participation programs designed to improve flexibility, coordination, and give kids a chance to socialize with others. Once they graduate from these programs at three years old, students can continue on to the NewStars program, level 1 of their structured gymnastics program. This class is more structured than the others and focuses on fundamental gymnastics positions, floor exercises, and basic skills on the apparatuses. When students turn six, they can enter the developmental program based on USA Gymnastics Level I to Level V.
Menlo Park Gymnastics also offers tumbling classes for kids aged 8 and older. Unlike regular gymnastics classes, this one does not involve apparatus work. Instead, students exercise on the Tumble Trak and develop acrobatic skills on the mat. There are also high school and adult gymnastics classes for teens age 14 and older, recreational athletes, and former competitive gymnasts.
San Mateo Gymnastics
Many accomplished gymnasts in the Peninsula started out at Tumble Town in Belmont, San Mateo Gymnastics' facility for toddlers. Kids age six and younger learn coordination, balance, and basic gymnastics skills using Tumble Town's specialized equipment and large foam castle. Once they graduate, they can choose to enter the recreational program for boys or girls at the main facility. San Mateo Gymnastics has the newest and best equipment for Olympic events of each gender; girls learn the four Olympic events with dance and trampoline, while boys work on six events and a trampoline. If your child is exceptionally skilled, he or she may be invited to join the school's competitive program, which offers Competitive Teams as recommended by USA Gymnastics. At the competitive program, your child will train with internationally-renowned coaches and participate in statewide, nationwide, and international events. Of course, your child must have the passion and dedication to withstand hours of training and the pressures of competition.
Peninsula Gymnastics
At Peninsula Gymnastics in San Mateo, kids as young as 20 months can start their informal gymnastics training in the Guppies program. This co-ed parent-participation class teaches strength and coordination through fun games, obstacle courses, and upbeat music. Parents are allowed to join in on the fun and spot their kids as they learn to tumble, balance, and spin. From here, kids can move up to the recreational gymnastics program, where the small class sizes allow the instructor to personally guide and help each student. Classes are more structured and zero in on basic skills, safe apparatus use, and physical strength. Like San Mateo Gymnastics, Peninsula also transforms children into award-winning gymnasts in their Competitive Program. Children are selected according to their skill so that they may train and compete in USA Gymnastics' Junior Olympic and Junior Elite competitions.
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