Hey, parents! Are your kids bouncing off the walls? Tracking mud through the house as they run around outside in mud puddles and then come charging in, still full of energy? Jumping up and down on the bed at bedtime because they didn’t get all their wiggles out in the rainy winter weather? Or maybe they’re just bored after school and need another activity to keep them busy. There is a great option for active kids to get their energy out and gain strength and body awareness while doing it: gymnastics!
Gymnastics offers many benefits for kids from a very early age: increased flexibility, improved strength, better body awareness and coordination, good cardiovascular exercise, and huge benefits to bone health. Regular gymnastics classes give kids an energy outlet that helps them know their body better and learn fun new skills at the same time. The Monterey Peninsula offers a number of options for gymnastics for kids of all ages. Active kids will appreciate a new way to use their bodies, and kids who need more exercise will enjoy gymnastics. Classes are available for beginners and kids who have prior experience and kids who have tried traditional gymnastics classes and want to try something new. (Our personal family favorite is Ninja Warrior class, a dynamic, action-packed obstacle course/tumbling class that leaves our 6-year-old son happy and tired, and with new skills in his ninja arsenal, every week.)
Kelly Brady, owner and head coach at Rising Star Gymnastics in Monterey, offers this testimonial: “Gymnastics builds confidence, discipline, and social skills in children besides strength, agility, and kinesthetic awareness. Every child who takes part in gymnastics benefits in countless ways regardless of their age or level.” Rising Star offers adult gymnastics classes besides a bevy of options for kids.
For Monterey area parents, there are plenty of options for places to bring our kids to gymnastics classes, and each gym offers a range of classes for all skill types, ages, and interests. From mommy-and-me classes for the under-2 set to Ninja Warrior classes, parkour, trampoline classes, cheerleading, and competitive teams up to age 18 (or level 10), local gymnastics academies have something for everyone. Classes range in price from $12-25 per class, depending on age, length of class, and location. Some places offer sibling discounts. Classes are 45-120 minutes long. Most gyms offer a free trial class so that kids (and parents) can see how they like it before committing to the class.
Yes, gymnastics is more expensive than swim classes or traditional sports, but the new skills your child will learn make it worth every penny. Just make sure that your kids don’t practice their cartwheels, flips, or high kicks in the house. Some gyms offer open gym time on the weekends for kids to practice their new skills. This is recommended if you want to save your furniture!
So give gymnastics—or Ninja class, trampoline class, or cheerleading—a try and see how it benefits your kids! They will use up lots of energy and get stronger, happier, and healthier. And, who knows, you may end up signing up for a class yourself.
LOCAL GYMNASTICS OPTIONS
Rising Star Gymnastics
2024 Del Monte Ave., Monterey
Classes offered: Mommy-and-me (from 18 months), preschool, Ninja Warrior, trampoline, sports agility/parkour, team/recreational gymnastics up to level 10, and adult classes.
Monterey Bay Academy of Gymnastics
1663 Catalina St., Sand City
Classes offered: Mommy-and-me (from 18 months), preschool, cheerleading, recreational gymnastics up to level 10.
City of Monterey Gymnastics
Dennis the Menace Park, 777 Pearl St., Monterey
Classes offered: Recreational gymnastics for ages 3-10.
Elite Gymnastics Academy
726 La Guardia St., Ste. A, Salinas
Preschool (as young as 18 months) and recreational gymnastics up to age 18, or level 10.
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