Hi all,
My 5 year old girl is DYING to do gymnastics! She has had some basics in dance classes, but she wants to do more. The two most convenient are Premier on Rt. 51 and Gymkhana in Bethel Park. I have heard mixed opinions on both.
At this point, she has been trying a variety of different activities to determine what she likes and what she doesn't. So I am not looking to make her the next Kerry Strung. I don't want someone who will bark orders at her or act like she is heading for the Olympics. But I do want solid instruction and encouragement - she should learn new skills.
Premier concerns me only because we used to be at a dance school that had a competition team and those of us who weren't on the competitive track were treated as money cows to support the competitive teams. The only thing I know about Gymkhana is one bad review online and let's face it - it's just one person's opinion.
The only other consideration I have is something not on Wed. and a week-night.
Anyone have opinions on either or want to recommend a place I don't know about in the South Park, Baldwin areas?
Thanks!
To BD: She really wants to be able to do a cartwheel, but also talks about the beam and the bars. Her desire expanded thanks to the American Girl Doll of the Year, who is a gymnast. :-) Right now, if she could do some tumbling, start cartwheels and a little beam, I would be happy.
I can't see the other responses for some reason, so I apologize if this has already been mentioned.
My niece goes to Shad Sisters on 51 for dance and gymnastics. I don't know how much they have, but they may be worth checking in to, especially since she's in the early part of learning. I also think there is a dance/tumbling place in South Park, on the back part of Brownsville Road, but I could be wrong.
I'm not sure if you know about Gymsport in Bridgeville . . . we've been going there for almost 3yrs. Both for their open preschool play and for Mini Monkey lessons. We loved that they didn't have a contract, you paid month to month, and the coach was great about age-appropriate expections :) Good luck!
Hi! My daughter is 4 and has been going to Premier since she was 2 for the mommy and me gymnastics. We really like it there and I have a few friends that also take their kids there and like it. My only complaint is the Saturday class. The class is too big. They need to limit the group or get another instructor. The girls end up just sitting there for most of the time waiting to take their turn. When my daughter went on Thursday mornings (Becky was the instructor) she loved it. Miss Becky was great...she was very energetic and would set up an obstacle course for the girls to work on while she was individually working with the girls, so there really wasn't any idle time. The gym is crowded on Saturdays so I guess that's why they can't set up an obstacle course. I'm going to put my daughter back into the Thursday class. To me, I don't see any of that favoritism towards the competitive groups, but my daughter is still young. Maybe that stuff happens in the older groups...not sure. I've heard several people say that Gymkhana is dirty, but I've never been there myself. I believe that Premier will allow you to do a trial class for free to check it out.
I have friends that have kids that love the Gymkhana in Bethel Park. It's on Industrial Blvd.
Is she interested in the tumbling aspect or the pure gymnastic apparatuses?
ETA: If she is into tumbling (cartwheels, back handsprings, round offs) and not the apparatuses, I would recommend Lindsey's Tumbling School. It is a little further down Route 51 in the old Large Fire Hall. The summer session starts June 13th and you can get information by e-mailing ____@____.com for information.
