Anonymous
Post 11/09/2012 14:28     Subject: Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
Just finished a session through pg county. Larger class size than Silver stars but most of the time, a few kids were missing. I found the instructor to be more communicative about my child's progress. It may depend on who you get, though. A bit cheaper.
Anonymous
Post 11/09/2012 12:44     Subject: Re:Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
This is the PP with the Little Gym recommendation. I have to say we tried Silver Stars twice (two different ages), and my daughter, who is very social and not shy at all, was just overwhelmed by the chaotic environment and refused to participate. I lost way too much money because they have you prepay, and there is no refund, not even if you don't do the very first class.
Anonymous
Post 11/09/2012 12:41     Subject: Re:Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
We love The Little Gym in Silver Spring. If you are looking for gymnastics training, I don't think it's the place for you. But if you are looking for an hour of physical activity, tumbling and trying all the equipment, it's great! And the instructors are wonderful in my opinion.
Anonymous
Post 11/09/2012 06:36     Subject: Re:Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
We were new at Silver Stars and I agree with the critical comments here. There's a thread on the camps/classes right now that I posted to. Chaotic environment, bored instructors.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2012 23:18     Subject: Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm not so concerned with my child "moving up" or being noticed as team material. I just want to find a place to play on the equipment, move around, and have it not be such a chaotic, expensive zoo. And is it too hard to ask that my child get more than two turns on a station? She's not going to learn how to walk the low beam or somersault if she doesn't get enough time or instruction on those skills.

Has anyone tried a PG county parks and recs class or are there other studios inside DC? We are on the Hill so driving farther than Silver Stars into Bethesda for a 45-60 min class just isn't going to happen each week.


I know someone who did it and they were happy there. When I called, they didn't let the younger kids on the bigger equipment so we ruled it out.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2012 21:22     Subject: Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
OP here. I'm not so concerned with my child "moving up" or being noticed as team material. I just want to find a place to play on the equipment, move around, and have it not be such a chaotic, expensive zoo. And is it too hard to ask that my child get more than two turns on a station? She's not going to learn how to walk the low beam or somersault if she doesn't get enough time or instruction on those skills.

Has anyone tried a PG county parks and recs class or are there other studios inside DC? We are on the Hill so driving farther than Silver Stars into Bethesda for a 45-60 min class just isn't going to happen each week.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2012 20:50     Subject: Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm a gymnastics coach and if your kid is talented it *should be obvious to even a beginner/rec coach. Rest assured they will get noticed if all the right qualities line up.

Some of the more hard core gyms might not be as fun as a recreational gym so it depends on what you want your kid to get out of the sport. Do you want them to have fun and learn something or do you want them on track for a college scholarship? Granted that is a huge range, but as the PP was hinting at - it is the mentality that comes with certain gyms in the area.


Great in concept but not true at all. My kid should have moved up but didn't. My kid far prefers the hard core to the boring basics.


Maybe your kid wasn't moved up because their basics weren't good enough. They may seem boring, but every other skill builds off the basics.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2012 20:44     Subject: Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm a gymnastics coach and if your kid is talented it *should be obvious to even a beginner/rec coach. Rest assured they will get noticed if all the right qualities line up.

Some of the more hard core gyms might not be as fun as a recreational gym so it depends on what you want your kid to get out of the sport. Do you want them to have fun and learn something or do you want them on track for a college scholarship? Granted that is a huge range, but as the PP was hinting at - it is the mentality that comes with certain gyms in the area.


Great in concept but not true at all. My kid should have moved up but didn't. My kid far prefers the hard core to the boring basics.


If your kid is interested in competitive gymnastics, just move gyms. There are plenty in the greater metro area. It's a huge commitment to move up though. If you need a gym, google USA Gymnastics and search their site.



Dynamite does a good job identifying kids who are able/desire to move up. I know a couple of people whose kids were identified at Dynamite open gym.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2012 20:40     Subject: Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
Have you tried a Y? We liked a parent and child class at the Bethesda/CC YMCA. However, I just signed my 3 yo up for a class at Silver Stars because there were so many class options we could find a time that worked for us. Hopefully it will work out okay.
Anonymous
Post 11/08/2012 20:02     Subject: Alternative to Silver Stars for gymnastics for 4-5 y.o.?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm a gymnastics coach and if your kid is talented it *should be obvious to even a beginner/rec coach. Rest assured they will get noticed if all the right qualities line up.

Some of the more hard core gyms might not be as fun as a recreational gym so it depends on what you want your kid to get out of the sport. Do you want them to have fun and learn something or do you want them on track for a college scholarship? Granted that is a huge range, but as the PP was hinting at - it is the mentality that comes with certain gyms in the area.


Great in concept but not true at all. My kid should have moved up but didn't. My kid far prefers the hard core to the boring basics.


If your kid is interested in competitive gymnastics, just move gyms. There are plenty in the greater metro area. It's a huge commitment to move up though. If you need a gym, google USA Gymnastics and search their site.