I'm looking for feedback/recommendations on where to send my two daughters for gymnastics this fall. We took classes for years at Kids in Action in Barrington but they moved to a new location and it's just too far to travel. I tried a class through the park district and almost pulled my girls out of the class because I was fearful my younger one was going to break her neck - they did not teach skills, they just set up obstacle courses and let them go - no spotting!!! If they're going to take classes, I want it to be by trained professionals that will first teach the skills and spot them as they try them out. I was looking into American Academy of Gymnastics in Wheeling and International Gymnastics in Mount Prospect. Has anyone taken classes at either??? I've read some bad reviews on Yelp about INternational Gymnastics which make me a little leary and I've heard that American Academy of Gymnastics is not the cleanest place around - aren't they all a bit grungy though? Open to other suggestions also.
Thanks in advance for your help!
These may be too far for you but Elmhurst Park District has an excellent program, as does Gym Stars Etc, which I believe has multiple locations - we go to Lombard and my daughter loves it!
Hi,
Both of my children (boy & girl) have taken gymnastics at both of these places, as well as a couple of others. (Loved Little Gym in Schaumburg when they were preschoolers, but it's gone now... & my kids are 9 & 10!)
I would highly recommend American Academy in Wheeling. The gym has been remodeled and changed since we first started going there. Kurt is the new owner, and has been updating the place. All of the teachers are adults, not teenagers, as we found at International, although that was some years ago, so it might have changed. We've tried a few others, mostly b/c my son has talent, and there are few places that offer more advanced classes for boys. We were also at Elk Grove Gymnastics for several years, and they do a great job with younger children, especially beginners. I believe that both American and Elk Grove let your kids try out a class for free to see how they like it. I'm not sure where you're located, but definitely go in and observe a class and/or try one out. Sandy is the receptionist at American, and is extremely helpful. Elk Grove doesn't have a receptionist, and you may have to try calling a couple of times to get someone on the phone, although it's usually Glenn, who is co-owner, I believe. Good luck!
II haven't compared a lot of places, but my daughter used to go to Gym Stars Etc. Coach Jimmy and Coach Brian are awesome with the younger ones.
I'm sorry the park district didn't seem to offer what you had in mind. That's frustrating they just let the kids go! Most of the park districts set up mats on the floor (and I'm assuming it's a good program), but for the same price as the others our park district (Schaumburg) has a professional gym that is insanely clean. Though I must admit I think gymnastics is expensive! I think we just got lucky with our gym, so I can sort of justify the cost. However, my 3, 4 and 6-year-olds are in 3 separate classes, lol. A bit of a hassle. But the people there are so GOOD about levels, I guess I should not complain. Good luck finding something close to home!
I can second Elk Grove, I trained and taught there many (MANY!) years ago.
We currently go to Libertyville Gymnastics Academy (which may be too far for you) it is a super clean gym (grungy is NOT the standard) and the kids are taught not just "fun" stuff, they learn conditioning and skills. It's a USA gymnastics gym, which means they have high standards they need to maintain.
