How to Choose a Gym She'll Love

Suddenly, your daughter wants to take gymnastics lessons. Of course you want to support her budding interest. But how do you choose the right gym for her needs and personality? Don't worry! Destira is here to make your search enjoyable and successful. Here's a checklist of must-know tips for choosing a great Gymnastics club:

Background checks

Ask the gym if their coaches have USAG (U.S.A.Gymnastics) member club numbers. Having a USAG number ensures that USA Gymnastics has done a background check and that the coaches have all passed their Safety Certification and SafeSport classes. (https://usagym.org/pages/education/pages/index.html)

Certifications

Ask whether or not the coaches are First-Aid and CPR certified. A reliable gym can provide proof that all of their coaches are certified.

Knowledge

What type of experience do the coaches have? Often the gym’s websites will have bios on their coaches. Additionally, Yelp can be a great resource for making sure they staff is knowledgeable and friendly!

Communication

How easy is the office staff to communicate with?  Do they provide easily accessible information on the classes offered? Are they timely about payments and making sure you’re notified of gym closures or events happening at the gym?

Education

Does the gym keep their coaches updated with the latest cutting edge knowledge? Do they attend clinics within their area and/or region?

Trials

Does the gym offer a free trial-class? This is something to consider to make sure your gymnast is comfortable with her new coach and in a class for the appropriate skill level.

Evaluations

Will your gymnast be evaluated before starting her class to ensure she is in the right group for her age and level?

Progression

Does the gym provide in-class evaluations throughout the year? Not every child is going to the Olympics (In fact, as of 2020, it will be four per country), and not every child is going to be invited to join the gym’s team program immediately. No matter what their goals are, it’s important for every child to feel successful, and that they are learning and progressing.

Coach-Parent-Athlete triangle

Are the coaches eager to talk to you about your child’s progress? Coaches are busy while they are teaching, but check to see whether that coach can be reached via-email or phone. Make sure that the gym has one person in charge of the program who can be easily contacted.

Success-rate

How does your prospective gym define success? There is not one right answer to this question: every family and every gym defines “success” differently. Each club is a great fit for someone out there. The personality and goals of the gymnast and gym family will set the tone for a good fit. Factor in the coaching staff, club management, and owners. Finding the optimal club happens when all those elements all fit together! 

 Once you've chosen the perfect gym, you'll need the perfect leotard. Check out our all new collection for summer here!