Parents Importance of gym having higher level gymnasts

[flipcityUSA]

My daughter is currently one of two girls at her gym training level 8 (the highest level at their small gym). To my knowledge, the gym has never trained anyone above level 9. The coaching staff has undergone several changes over the past few years, and I'm not entirely sure of everyone's history and experience. That said, how important is it to have higher levels training at the gym where your athlete is? I understand how it can be worrisome from a coach experience standpoint, but I'm also wondering if it can impact the athlete's overall motivation or drive? My daughter has dreams of successfully competing Level 10 before she graduates (currently a seventh grader), but she really doesn't even know what that looks like day-to-day. Some days she seems to thrive on being one of "the best" in her small environment, but other times I wonder if it would help her to be around higher level gymnasts - to push her further? Or does it really just come down to coaching? Has anyone switched gyms just for this reason?

 

[supernicegymmom]

I would say if your gym only goes up to levels 6,7,8 and you’ve reached the highest level that the gym offers, then it is time to switch gyms. If your daughter has dreams of being a level 10/NCAA gymnast then I would say it’s best to look for a big gym in your area and request a try-out for their optional team.

 

[Carly]

I would definitely consider switching to a gym that has level 9s and 10s unless your gym has recently hired coaches that have experience getting girls to those levels. There were several girls that switched from other gyms to my dd's gym to have a better chance to make it to level 10.

 

[leapingcows310]

My daughter’s old gym lost a lot of girls at the higher level. The old gym also didn’t have any recent history of getting girls to the college level and therefore we left. In our current gym, she loves watching the elites and can see what it takes to make the national team as well as collegiate teams. I think it motivates and inspires her!

 

[flipcityUSA]

Thanks for the feedback! Her current coaches believe they/she can get to Level 10, but she would be one of the first at her gym (at least in the past several years). I can see where she would benefit being at a gym with a more well-established level 9/10 program and certainly begin to consider our options.

 

[Ncgymnastmom]

if she has aspirations to be level 10 and they don’t have a solid program at current gym I would look elsewhere. My daughters old gym did levels 3-10 but we only had 4 girls in level 8-10(3 level 8 and one level 10). We had 37 in level 3, 30 in level 4, 8 in level 5, 19 in level 6 and 12 in level 7. Once kids hit level 8 they left because the coaching just wasn’t there for the higher levels and they tended to hold all the kids back and make the do levels multiple years they wanted a 38+ to move up. We left after they tried to get my daughter to do a 3rd year at level 4 even though she was scoring 36’s. She’s at a new gym as a level 5 and working toward skipping level 6 next year and doing 7. So I’d say leave and find something that fits what your daughter wants. Sounds like her current gym isn’t it and has worked so far but she may need to move gyms sooner rather than later! I wish we would have personally!

 

[skschlag]

When my son's gym closed, and we had to switch gyms, they had no L9s or 10s. He was coming in at level 9. They had him compete lower to start the season, then moved him to 9. He made nationals and placed 10th. He moved to level 10 the next year, still the only one, and made nationals again.

While it can be good to have establised 9s and 10s, if coaches are willing to put in the work, and it is a positive environment where you see continued growth, a gym without them can work.

 

[flipcityUSA]

if she has aspirations to be level 10 and they don’t have a solid program at current gym I would look elsewhere. My daughters old gym did levels 3-10 but we only had 4 girls in level 8-10(3 level 8 and one level 10). We had 37 in level 3, 30 in level 4, 8 in level 5, 19 in level 6 and 12 in level 7. Once kids hit level 8 they left because the coaching just wasn’t there for the higher levels and they tended to hold all the kids back and make the do levels multiple years they wanted a 38+ to move up. We left after they tried to get my daughter to do a 3rd year at level 4 even though she was scoring 36’s. She’s at a new gym as a level 5 and working toward skipping level 6 next year and doing 7. So I’d say leave and find something that fits what your daughter wants. Sounds like her current gym isn’t it and has worked so far but she may need to move gyms sooner rather than later! I wish we would have personally!

Thank you for this insight! I know switching will be hard / new / different, but I don't want to wish we had sooner if there is a better fit somewhere else.

 

[flipcityUSA]

When my son's gym closed, and we had to switch gyms, they had no L9s or 10s. He was coming in at level 9. They had him compete lower to start the season, then moved him to 9. He made nationals and placed 10th. He moved to level 10 the next year, still the only one, and made nationals again.

While it can be good to have establised 9s and 10s, if coaches are willing to put in the work, and it is a positive environment where you see continued growth, a gym without them can work.

This has been my philosophy so far - just because they don't have an established L9/10 program, doesn't mean they couldn't get her there. Her enjoyment of the sport is priority but continued growth is important if she still has goals of competing level 10. We will continue to evaluate both as the season progresses!

 

[BusyMomof2]

We are in a similar situation - followed coaches to a new gym and they are rebuilding the optionals program. The gym has only had a few level 9s and they've each transferred to a neighboring gym for level 10 (and several have been recruited).

I originally was hesitant to join the coaches for this reason, but have since decided that we're getting good coaching, my daughter is happy and progressing, and if we get to the point of plateau we will decide what to do. I have no idea if my daughter will reach her goal of level 10. She's on the path right now but we're also just starting middle school and are seeing so many other opportunities for how she can spend her time. So I am following her lead and we'll see what happens. There are two very talented girls on her team that will progress to level 9 before my daughter will, so it will be interesting to see what that looks like.