Daughter in Competitive Gymnastics - Looking for Recommendations

[kakreh]

We're moving from the midwest to the DC area this summer -- probably to the Silver Spring area but that is yet to be determined for sure -- and looking for a gym our 10-year-old L7 daughter can transfer to. We're not looking for the most competitive or "best" (in terms of producing college or elite gymnasts) gyms, but would like her to be in a gym where college would be possible IF she wished to pursue it.

Specifically, I'm looking for feedback regarding these gyms:

Hill's
MarVaTeens
Silver Stars

Environment, coaching, cost, overall happiness of gymnasts (do they love it? have fun? or is it "no pain no gain" all the time with lots of yelling and demeaning comments), parent culture, coach-parent communication/relationships, etc.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

I don't think Silver Stars or MarVaTeens is going to be competitive enough for college level. Hills is the only one that can get you that far.

[Anonymous]

Yes, Hill's for a 10 year old Level 7. If you decide to head to northern Virginia, it would be Capital.

Have you visited yet? Also, what do her coaches now say? They can possibly contact the gym in advance to introduce your child to the new coaches.

[kakreh]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Hill's for a 10 year old Level 7. If you decide to head to northern Virginia, it would be Capital.

Have you visited yet? Also, what do her coaches now say? They can possibly contact the gym in advance to introduce your child to the new coaches.

We're visiting mid-May and would like to set up an evaluation/tryout or have her practice with the team -- however they do it. I need to start making phone calls.

Her current coaches don't know yet that we're moving. We will tell them after we know it's 100% (right now it's 99.9% haha). Yes, I will have them get in touch when the time is right.

Do you know anything about Hill's beyond their capability to produce college-level gymnasts? What is their reputation coaching-wise? Lots of yelling and conditioning as punishment for not taking corrections or strict yet supportive -- that type of stuff.

Thanks!

[kakreh]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Silver Stars or MarVaTeens is going to be competitive enough for college level. Hills is the only one that can get you that far.

Do you know anything about their reputation coaching-wise? (temperament, style, etc.)

[Anonymous]

You should pair this inquiry with one looking for recommendations for orthopedic surgeons as well. It will save time.

[Anonymous]

DD goes to school with 3 elite gymnasts at Hills. Some very serious injuries-back, collarbones, wrists. They miss some school to train everyday but it is coordinated with the school and they are all excellent students. They seem to like the coaches and I have only heard good things from their parents. But have no inside knowledge.

[Anonymous]

My kid is at hills (not team, just classes) but I have never yelling and the girls always look happy and respected from the point of view of the fish bowl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD goes to school with 3 elite gymnasts at Hills. Some very serious injuries-back, collarbones, wrists. They miss some school to train everyday but it is coordinated with the school and they are all excellent students. They seem to like the coaches and I have only heard good things from their parents. But have no inside knowledge.

PP, I believe I labeled this wrong. They are not elite, they are 2 level 10 and 1 level 9.

[Anonymous]

Other options with Level 7 are Dynamite in Rockville and Dobre.

[Anonymous]

Hills in Gaithersburg. Dobre might be ok, don't go with Dynamite. Lower teams with mostly cheer.

[Anonymous]

Just curious - my child dropped out of gymnastics after the preschool years - what is Level 7 in gymnastics? Is that on the Olympic track type of competitive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious - my child dropped out of gymnastics after the preschool years - what is Level 7 in gymnastics? Is that on the Olympic track type of competitive?

It goes up to Level 10 and then Elite. Level 9-10 is college-level gymnastics for most. Most future elite gymnasts are at Level 8-10 at age 11 and go elite at ages 12-13.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Hill's for a 10 year old Level 7. If you decide to head to northern Virginia, it would be Capital.

Have you visited yet? Also, what do her coaches now say? They can possibly contact the gym in advance to introduce your child to the new coaches.

I second Capital Gymnastics.

[Anonymous]

Hills has trained Olympians - several of them.