The worst thing about silver stars, IMO, is that it's over crowded, unclean, and on the team side there is a lack of transparency when it comes to just about everything (child's progress, fees, etc.).

It does seem like the TNT program is better, but they still have to workout in a gym that's infested with roaches, has stained mats, and dirty across the board. Because it's the closest gym to DC, most people likely choose it out of convenience. But when your kid comes home telling you about the roaches crawling all over the mats...to me...it's not worth the proximity convenience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Silver Stars is at USAG Trampoline and Tumbling nationals.

The Silver Stars Tumbling and Trampoline team is very strong; it is officially a part of USA Gymnastics. Many Silver Stars T&T athletes are competing at Nationals this summer (including my own kid). A local Marylander (albeit from another gym) will be competing for Team USA in trampoline at the Paris Olympics this summer. It’s a real sport. If you are referring to weaknesses in artistic gymnastics at Silver Stars, okay, you have a point.

PP you quoted. I'm aware of Silver Stars T&T success. I was at nationals as a coach (no longer in the DC area), and spent many years competing and coaching T&T for several Maryland clubs.

The TNT program is the one still doing well. My child did competitive gymnastics there but left when her coach did. Owner totally mismanages. It's a shame - it was a great gym - competitive but not too high pressure.

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn’t a kid go to Hills for artistic gymnastics?

Yeah, if they live out in Gaithersburg or the surrounding areas. When kids get to the point where they are practicing several times a week for several hours....and you live in DC...Hills is just not a viable option.

Shouldn’t a kid go to Hills for artistic gymnastics?

I think the TNT program is probably the pillar of this gym. But, for a place that is producing so many athletes going to nationals and one that always seems to overpack the classes, one of my main questions is why can't they afford to buy new equipment? The mats have giant liquid stains on them and some of the equipment looks like it hasn't been changed out or cleaned in over a decade. Gymnastics is a really expensive sport and these kid spend a lot of time in this place. The least that a place can do is provide a clean environment for the athletes.

I think the TNT program is probably the pillar of this gym. But, for a place that is producing so many athletes going to nationals and one that always seems to overpack the classes, one of my main questions is why can't they afford to buy new equipment? The mats have giant liquid stains on them and some of the equipment looks like it hasn't been changed out or cleaned in over a decade. Gymnastics is a really expensive sport and these kid spend a lot of time in this place. The least that a place can do is provide a clean environment for the athletes.

My kid got a concussion when a bar popped off back in Ulittle Shooting Stars days. The owner never called me after and didn't refund our sessions. We stopped going immediately after seven sessions/"seasons" in a row