Have you thought about fencing? My son is taking a beginner class at Rockville Fencing Academy (on Gude Drive) and really enjoys it. It is pretty low key. Not sure they take 5 year olds, but they might.

My son loves Dynamite, but hasn't had Joe yet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dynamite Agility, with any teacher other than Joe. We particularly like Russell. Unlike in the regular gymnastics classes, the focus is on getting the kids moving and taking (comfortable) risks, rather than having perfect gymnastics form.

You've posted on other threads about not liking Joe, but you can stop now, he no longer teaches at Agility. And I understand that he's not for everyone, but he LOVES the kids he teaches, even if his personality can be a little over the top. Russell is excellent as well.

I know lots of people who love him -- I believe I recommended him for a mom who wanted gymnastics for the discipline -- but he terrified my son, who, like the OP is risk-averse. It's not that he's not a good teacher -- it's that he has a particular style that fits some kids and not others.

It's interesting to read this board re: Joe. He's back teaching at Dynamite, and I'm on this board looking at reviews precisely because I found him so abrasive in a recent class. We were doing a trial class, and my child seemed to be having such a great time that I was ready to sign her up...until he came out and talked to me after the class. He was super rude, and complained that my elementary school aged child kept wandering away from the rest of the class and was going to get hurt. She's a pretty obedient kid, and I watched the entire class, and she stayed neatly in line with the other students the entire time. I don't know what his deal is--perhaps he didn't want to teach one more student, or didn't like my kid and hoped he could offend us so we wouldn't enroll. Either way, it worked.

You can either do it for fun like tumbling class, or get serious, and it seems like this simply may not be a good fit for him at all. Try different places, but they all run in similar manner.

My five year old son, who is also soccer averse, loves Silver Stars.

If you're going to go the martial arts route, we really like On the Mat Sports for our 5 year old. It's in Bethesda so not too far from you I think.
We've also heard good things about East West Taekwondo in Potomac (two locations, including one in Cabin John mall, which may be closer to you).

physical therapy can also help children like this. Smaller classes would be better for your child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dymanite is pretty mellow for boys. They have several kinds of classes including agility. They allow a trial.

It really depends on the teacher.

(A friend's son was bullied there and they will never go back. So try to get a teacher who isn't checked out.)

We also had a very bad experience at Dynamite with one of their teachers. We switched to Marvatots and have had a good experience. The instructors we have had have been more patient, and my children have been having a really good time. The gym is a bit cramped appearing, but somehow the staff makes it work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dynamite Agility, with any teacher other than Joe. We particularly like Russell. Unlike in the regular gymnastics classes, the focus is on getting the kids moving and taking (comfortable) risks, rather than having perfect gymnastics form.

You've posted on other threads about not liking Joe, but you can stop now, he no longer teaches at Agility. And I understand that he's not for everyone, but he LOVES the kids he teaches, even if his personality can be a little over the top. Russell is excellent as well.

I know lots of people who love him -- I believe I recommended him for a mom who wanted gymnastics for the discipline -- but he terrified my son, who, like the OP is risk-averse. It's not that he's not a good teacher -- it's that he has a particular style that fits some kids and not others.

Anonymous wrote:Dynamite Agility, with any teacher other than Joe. We particularly like Russell. Unlike in the regular gymnastics classes, the focus is on getting the kids moving and taking (comfortable) risks, rather than having perfect gymnastics form.

You've posted on other threads about not liking Joe, but you can stop now, he no longer teaches at Agility. And I understand that he's not for everyone, but he LOVES the kids he teaches, even if his personality can be a little over the top. Russell is excellent as well.

Do you have a "Little Gym" nearby? Those are very fun and easy. Maybe he's not ready for soccer yet.

My son is the same and he has been in gymnastics for about 8-9 months now. He loves it. He has not been into team sports like soccer (we tried it once, unsuccessfully). "Gymnastics" for a 5yo is basic tumbling, jumping up and down, climbing over things, etc. They have miniature version of the bars and balance beam. It's been great for his confidence, coordination and social skills, too. And I agree that the skills learned - balance, coordination, patience, persistence - are absolutely necessary for any sport. He's now ready to try soccer again.

Like you, neither DH nor I were very good at sports (although I did enjoy playing recreationally as a child), so we try very hard to encourage our son and to let him choose activities he likes without pressuring him. At the end of each 9-week class session at our gym, we've asked him if wants to continue. He's always said yes. If at some point he says no, we'll stop.

Same with soccer. We tried it once before, he hated it, and we let him stop. No he has the chance to do it again. We asked him and he said yes. So we'll try it and see how it goes. Regardles of whether he's "good," I'll keep encouraging him to do 1-2 activities that he likes and enjoys.

I'm no longer in the DC area, so I can't recommend a specific gym. But I absolutely agree that gymnastics sounds like a good activity to try for your son. Good luck!

OP my 5 YO is also pretty risk averse and really prefers gymnastics to soccer. They don't get them up on the high beam or anything- mostly it's jumping and bouncing and lots of fun.

Where are you located? Mini-kickers or kindergarten soccer "classes" through your local soccer clubs are very kid friendly and the cost is usually around $70 for a season. The British soccer classes are really good for enthusiastic teachers.

Soccer is also something you can do at your local park with him (and you don't have to be good at it either). Maybe he's self-conscious and would be less so if he did the activity a little more with you.

TKD places usually offer a week free but be warned, it gets REALLY pricey after that and they often want you to commit for 6 mos. or a year. Your local rec center would have less expensive versions of it to start out.

Thanks for the good advice. OP here. I spent much of my school years hoping for rain so that gym class would be cancelled. And learnt nothing that I can do regularly as exercise. I really hope that my son can have a better experience than I do. I was hoping that Gymnastic can be a way to build up his coordination and strength for other activities later.

He refused to participate in soccer when they offer it at preschool last year. Maybe I should consider a martial art.