Gymnastics options?

[Anonymous]

Looking for some advice on gymnastics options for my 9yo DD. She loves gymnastics and really wants to keep improving, but she’s not interested in being on a competitive artistic team. She’s currently in rec classes at her gym, which have been great, but it’s starting to feel like she’s kind of outgrowing them and hitting a bit of a plateau.

Her current gym only has an acro team, which might be something to consider, but we’re not really sure if it would be the right fit. Ideally, she’d like to keep working on all the apparatus (bars, beam, vault, etc.), not just tumbling or dance elements.

I’ve heard a little about Xcel teams being a good in-between option, more structured skill development without the intensity and time commitment of traditional competition teams. Wondering if anyone has recommendations for gyms with strong Xcel programs?

We’re in MoCo but open to driving a bit for the right fit.
Thx

[Anonymous]

We're in VA so I can't recommend a gym, but I love Xcel. My daughter was originally in the DP (former JO) track and was hesitant to move, but it has been really great for her. The right combo of competition and not feeling like it has to be her whole life.

The problem is that every gym does it differently, and it can be hard to get on the xcel team at 9 (depending on the gym). Many use the lower xcel levels as an entry to competition gymnastics, and only look at the littles for those slots. Additionally, in most places your daughter would need to start on the pre-team.

I would google what gyms are near you and call around and ask them if you daughter would be eligible for a pre-team try-out. Most gyms we know of, have pre-teams before even Xcel Bronze (the lowest level). I would guess most places do try-outs in the spring/summer, but you might get lucky!

Some gyms also have leveled rec classes, which would be another thing to look for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're in VA so I can't recommend a gym, but I love Xcel. My daughter was originally in the DP (former JO) track and was hesitant to move, but it has been really great for her. The right combo of competition and not feeling like it has to be her whole life.

The problem is that every gym does it differently, and it can be hard to get on the xcel team at 9 (depending on the gym). Many use the lower xcel levels as an entry to competition gymnastics, and only look at the littles for those slots. Additionally, in most places your daughter would need to start on the pre-team.

I would google what gyms are near you and call around and ask them if you daughter would be eligible for a pre-team try-out. Most gyms we know of, have pre-teams before even Xcel Bronze (the lowest level). I would guess most places do try-outs in the spring/summer, but you might get lucky!

Some gyms also have leveled rec classes, which would be another thing to look for.

Agreed with all this! Xcel was a great for my daughter, who excelled in some events but had a real weak spot. That would have limited her ability to keep moving up in JO.

I don't live in DC so I can't comment on specific gyms. In general, though, great program! I also think they can do whatever they want with Xcel, so they might slot your daughter into Silver, for example, depending on her skill level.

[Anonymous]

Xcel sounds perfect for your daughter. Not sure where you are, but Hills in Gathersburg and Dynamite in Rockville have big Xcel teams in Montgomery County. I would find at least three gyms with an acceptable commute and try out with them. I think try outs usually happen in the spring but you can always reach out now and say your daughter is interested in Xcel and they may have you come in now. The competition season is just about to get underway in this area so they may not be looking to add new team members right now.

One of the PPs is absolutely right about how Xcel is used differently by gyms though. So it's good to know what to look for.

The idea of Xcel was to keep all the gymnasts that would have dropped out of the DP Levels program, since not everyone can or wants to do 16+ hours a week. Some gyms use the lower level Xcel (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) in place of the Compulsory Levels 3, 4, 5. In this case, their Xcel gymnasts will probably be very young, and practice many hours a week. They will all be probably very good and score highly, and the expectation would be to enter DP level 6 after Gold, but they often will refuse to take older gymnasts who are starting out.

Other gyms will offer Xcel, but give them much less attention than the DP gymnasts. They get bumped off equipment first, they get the less experienced coaches. They often don't get the chance to learn new skills as much.

It can be hard to get a feel of the culture of a gym as a newcomer. It's useful to talk to parents (but know that parents are going to paint their gym in the best light when talking to a stranger), and I think the best way is to practice with the team if possible.

[Anonymous]

Our gym has a JO and an Xcel program. My experience has been that kids really should do pre-team (6 hrs /wk) and Level 3 (9 hrs/wk) before switching to Xcel. These early levels give the kids a good base of skills, flexibility and strength. The Xcel program is less regimented so if you start there, you miss many of the early basics that are drilled in the JO program.

Kids who move to Xcel too soon seem to get frustrated and quit because of lack of progress. Kids who move after having a good base seem to stay with Xcel longer and continue to improve. But this may be a result of how our gym functions more than anything specific to the Xcel program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our gym has a JO and an Xcel program. My experience has been that kids really should do pre-team (6 hrs /wk) and Level 3 (9 hrs/wk) before switching to Xcel. These early levels give the kids a good base of skills, flexibility and strength. The Xcel program is less regimented so if you start there, you miss many of the early basics that are drilled in the JO program.

Kids who move to Xcel too soon seem to get frustrated and quit because of lack of progress. Kids who move after having a good base seem to stay with Xcel longer and continue to improve. But this may be a result of how our gym functions more than anything specific to the Xcel program.

I agree with this, too. That's what my daughter did -- preteam, Level 3, then Xcel Silver, Gold, Platinum.

In her case, she didn't have her kip, and that kept her out of Level 4. She got the kip quickly but then was happy in Xcel.

She always did REALLY well at competitions, I think because her foundations were strong.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately a lot of programs aren't going to accept a 9 year old into preteam. I'm not saying that's right but just to let OP know that usually pre-team is 4-6 year olds.

Defintely recommend you try out at a bunch of gyms and see what you get offered!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this info! I guess she started too late!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for this info! I guess she started too late!

Don't give up, though! If she loves it and has some promise, there IS a possibility they would stick her in Xcel, or at least would have some advice for you.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I’ve been seeing ads for Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy because they are opening a branch in VA. I just looked at them and they compete Xcel only so that may be a good fit for your daughter. They are in Rockville, Clarksburg and Columbia in MD.

[Anonymous]

I would move to a gym that offers Xcel, sign her up for the advanced class, and go from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately a lot of programs aren't going to accept a 9 year old into preteam. I'm not saying that's right but just to let OP know that usually pre-team is 4-6 year olds.

Defintely recommend you try out at a bunch of gyms and see what you get offered!

Late to this thread but I don't think that is the case at all! Our current gym has 13 and 14 year olds in bronze. If you want to compete they will have a place for you. With that after bronze they funnel the younger kids to the DP route and older through the xcel route. It's about finding a gym that meets your needs.