Parents New to gymnastics

[Lsuber]

My 5.5 year old boy has been dabbling in gymnastics for about three years now as a recreational sport. We are located in northern Delaware. His coaches are impressed with his strength, balance, and ability to learn above his age level. However, his current gym doesn’t have a boys competitive team. Does anyone have any information about boys competitive teams in northeastern PA, Delaware, or MD (eastern shore or Bay Area)? I’m not sure what to google and results aren’t very specific for boys teams. I know he’s young to start competitive, but I’m thinking about future because he loves the sport currently.

 

[skschlag]

Welcome to men's gymnastics! Such an amazing sport and path!

Even though my son lives in PA, I do not know a ton about that area, but here are some places to start. It does not look like anything in Delaware.

About

The mission of the Pennsylvania State Board is to provide leadership, explore ways to promote current educational efforts, support a safe environment, enhance participation in men's gymnastics...

www.pamensgymnastics.com

States

The site provides education, scheduling, and technical information for the Region 6 Men's Gymnastics community.

www.region6mensgymnastics.org

Maryland

The site provides education, scheduling, and technical information for the Region 6 Men's Gymnastics community.

www.region6mensgymnastics.org

 

[raenndrops]

My 5.5 year old boy has been dabbling in gymnastics for about three years now as a recreational sport. We are located in northern Delaware. His coaches are impressed with his strength, balance, and ability to learn above his age level. However, his current gym doesn’t have a boys competitive team. Does anyone have any information about boys competitive teams in northeastern PA, Delaware, or MD (eastern shore or Bay Area)? I’m not sure what to google and results aren’t very specific for boys teams. I know he’s young to start competitive, but I’m thinking about future because he loves the sport currently.

Here is what my search got:
Northeastern Pennsylvania:

• Sportsplex Gymnastics:

Established in 2006, they have a strong reputation for success, including state championships and representation on national teams.

• Philadelphia Boys and Girls Gymnastics:

Located in Philadelphia, they offer a variety of programs for boys and girls.


Delaware:

• Fairland Boys Gymnastics: Part of USA Gymnastics, this program focuses on overall fitness and skill development.
  

• First State Gymnastics: Offers various gymnastics programs, including competitive teams.

Maryland:

• Rebounders Gymnastics: Provides a pre-team program for boys aged 4-12, as well as competitive team options.

• Columbia Gymnastics: Focuses on both boys and girls, offering a variety of programs.
  
  
• Frederick Gymnastics Club: A large gymnastics program in Mid-Maryland.

Other Potential Options:

• Fairfax Gymnastics Academy: Although located in Virginia, they serve a large region including Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
  

• Docksiders Gymnastics: Located in Delaware, they offer competitive boys' teams from Level 4 through 10.
  
  
• Force Gymnastics: Located in Lehigh Valley, PA.
  

 

[Dahlialover]

Welcome to boys gymnastics! It’s a wonderful sport with a great community. I highly recommend getting your son to gym with a boys team within the next 6 months if he was born in 2019 or within the next year if he was born in 2020. (Competition age is determined by birth year). You’ll want to look most closely at gyms within 30 minutes of your location. I’d also ask this question on the Our Flipping Boys Men’s Gymnastics Facebook group. It’s a very active group. Good luck!

 

[Coachee]

Excellent responses above. I would suggest to go on USAG's website and use their find a gym tool (usag.org -> resources -> find a gym). Also, you could ask your gym to start a team in some form or fashion. 5.5 years old is not too young for the competitive team. Actually, that's a great age to get on team. A coach would love to get as many 5.5 year olds that you have described on team. I know I would! The sport needs more boys, parents, and families such as yourself! Good luck!

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Maryland:

• Rebounders Gymnastics: Provides a pre-team program for boys aged 4-12, as well as competitive team options.

Rebounders is probably a bit far for you, but if not, I'll vouch for their boys program (I coached there from 2017 until last weekend, and my departure was due purely to external factors, nothing wrong with the gym or its programs). They've got a solid record of producing strong upper-level gymnasts, and their head coach is a great guy. I'm happy to answer any questions about their programs.

 

[Dahlialover]

5.5 seems young to start team but competition ages are based on birth year not calendar age. If your 5.5-year-old was born in 2019, then this coming season (December ‘25 - May ‘26) is his 7-year-old season. It’s ideal to start competing at competition-age 7 or 8. You can certainly start later but it’s a disadvantage. So the sooner you make the change the better.

 

[ZB55]

Here is what my search got:
Northeastern Pennsylvania:

• Sportsplex Gymnastics:

Established in 2006, they have a strong reputation for success, including state championships and representation on national teams.

Sportsplex is in Hyattsville, MD, east of Washington DC (very roughly 2 hours from Wilmington DE). 2024 Olympic alternate Khoi Young is from Sportsplex.