WAG Taking private 1:1 at a competitor's gym

[dbean]

Is it wrong to take private lessons at a gym different than your team's gym? I am certain that the owners know each other and it would only be time before my daughter's gym got wind of it.

 

[bookworm]

There's nothing illegal about it.... but don't be surprised if your "current" gym becomes your "former" gym...

 

[Sasha]

Yeah, BAD BAD idea 99.999% of the time if you have a team gymnast. Rec is probably different.

Only exception would be if you asked your gym for privates and they RECOMMENDED the other gym for some reason, but I think this almost never happens. Always an exception to the rule, but most gyms would consider that 'high treason'

Silly perhaps, but... reality.

 

[dbean]

No, no..i was thinking they would be upset. You guys are right

 

[MILgymFAM]

Most gyms would have that in the off limits realm- many gyms don't even allow girls to attend open gyms or parents nights out at other facilities. My DD has been to one gym that had no issues with her getting a private lesson elsewhere, but that's because the coach wasn't allowed to give privates to Xcel girls at my DDs gym.

 

[munchkin3]

No-no......coaches and gyms put a lot into their athletes. It's an insult for them to go anywhere else unless it's a birthday party.

 

[ascarter1]

Just curious...honestly not trying to sound rude or ugly...but why would you want them for a private?! There is a reason we are at our gym. I wouldn't want my dd being coached by anyone in our towns other gym. No way, no how!!

 

[Sasha]

Just curious...honestly not trying to sound rude or ugly...but why would you want them for a private?! There is a reason we are at our gym. I wouldn't want my dd being coached by anyone in our towns other gym. No way, no how!!

I can see situations where it would seem/be beneficial to the athlete (if coaches and owners weren't so territorial)...

For example, there is a part-time coach at a rival gym here that is known to be excellent at a certain apparatus my son struggles on. The gym is a bit far for us on a regular basis, and their program and owner philosophy not a fit on the whole, but if there were no issues with cross-training? I would absolutely sign up my son for some privates with this expert coach who might give him some different strategies on this apparatus.

ETA: That doesn't mean I don't love our coach. Just looking for something extra.

 

[Gymmommy71]

I think that even *thinking* about taking a private elsewhere is a huge red flag that you are not happy at your current gym. Why would you not just do a private with a coach at your gym if your kid needs extra help?

I guess the only way it might be okay is if your current gym doesn't offer privates at all (there are gyms like this) and your kid really needed some extra help w/ a specific skill. I still would probably ask for permission from my current gym first because if (or really "when") they found out they might not take it well. They could even go so far as to kick your DD off the team, and I can't see where whatever she needs the private for would be worth risking that over.

 

[Sasha]

I think that even *thinking* about taking a private elsewhere is a huge red flag that you are not happy at your current gym. Why would you not just do a private with a coach at your gym if your kid needs extra help?

I guess the only way it might be okay is if your current gym doesn't offer privates at all (there are gyms like this) and your kid really needed some extra help w/ a specific skill. I still would probably ask for permission from my current gym first because if (or really "when") they found out they might not take it well. They could even go so far as to kick your DD off the team, and I can't see where whatever she needs the private for would be worth risking that over.

Perhaps taking 'regular' privates elsewhere sends that message, but (in an ideal world where no egos are involved), I could see taking some targeted apparatus privates with a specific specialist outside one's own gym being beneficial. I liken it to "clinics" or "camps" where you receive training from some 'experts' - often reserved for the more decorated gymnasts (a la TOPS, Future Stars). Getting a fresh perspective from an expert is a regular part of growth in many areas of life. Egos aside, gymnastics need not be different.

But in reality, like I said, a big no no.

 

[Tuppy]

I'd say no. It doesn't seem like a good idea unless your gym was aware of it and not opposed to it.

 

[duyetanh]

There's nothing illegal about it.... but don't be surprised if your "current" gym becomes your "former" gym...

This

 

[sevenatenine2]

If you do it, I would do it in a town away from yours that's not seen as direct competition, and I might sign up for s "camp" before the private.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

Is it wrong to take private lessons at a gym different than your team's gym? I am certain that the owners know each other and it would only be time before my daughter's gym got wind of it.

Well, it's pretty insulting to your current gym and shows you have a foot out the door. And since you said "Before my daughters gym got wind of it" I would say that it puts your daughter in a very strange disloyal feeling position... not that you seem to care.... Best of luck!

 

[Faith]

For example, there is a part-time coach at a rival gym here that is known to be excellent at a certain apparatus my son struggles on. The gym is a bit far for us on a regular basis, and their program and owner philosophy not a fit on the whole, but if there were no issues with cross-training? I would absolutely sign up my son for some privates with this expert coach who might give him some different strategies on this apparatus.

ETA: That doesn't mean I don't love our coach. Just looking for something extra.

How this would work here is the coach would get in touch with the apparatus coach, and ask if he could bring 2 gymnasts over. Then the gymnasts get their coaching, the coach learns, and nobody's nose gets out of joint.

Clubs here do it quite often- generally the gyms with no pits or strap bars, will work with other clubs so their gymnasts can access the facilities.

 

[Gymbee06]

My dd actually does this she is maxed out at current gym and needed help on her vault current gym is more than happy for her to do this they cannot offer more hours and don't do private plus it wasn't fair on the other kids for her to be having so much one on one attention(my point of view not the coaches) I will add that current gym has an excellent relationship with the gym we take privates at they are even happy for us to train at both gyms I know we are extremely lucky our gym is so relaxed I know they are defiantly the exception

 

[Gymbee06]

Also we are very happy at our current gym the decision to take private lessons elsewhere has nothing to do with the way they train my dd or how they run their club if thy did privates or we could get more hours then we would do them at current gym we also compete against other gym

 

[Dr Maleficent]

In our region they have regular regional training sessions where the top kids in the region train with all of the coaches of the top kids from the different gyms, but it is different because there are no private gyms and the idea is to improve gymnastics in the region to win the competitions against other regions. I think this is great and everybody benefits. But this is organised by the gyms and there are no private lessons. If there were, I very much doubt that my son's coach would be thrilled at the idea of me taking him off to see a different coach.

 

[dbean]

Well, it's pretty insulting to your current gym and shows you have a foot out the door. And since you said "Before my daughters gym got wind of it" I would say that it puts your daughter in a very strange disloyal feeling position... not that you seem to care.... Best of luck!

I care a lot, that is why i seeked advice here before jumping in with two feet. She loves her gym but they don't have any 1:1 slots available the day she has open. She also wants to work with a specific coach that is known around here for helping girls excel on vault, which she is struggling at..but like someone else mentioned, clinics might be a better choice.

 

[Faith]

I care a lot, that is why i seeked advice here before jumping in with two feet. She loves her gym but they don't have any 1:1 slots available the day she has open. She also wants to work with a specific coach that is known around here for helping girls excel on vault, which she is struggling at..but like someone else mentioned, clinics might be a better choice.

Talk to the coach then.

From a coach's point of view, if I genuinely thought it would help, I'd call the other coach, explain where the child is at, and tell them I'm happy for them to take the child.

However bear in mind many coaches are working long term. I have a few who *could* be working higher level skills, but need the basics straightening up first. I've got one who'd struggling with a BHS taught to her at another club, but it will not come right unless we leave it and work drills and basic shapes for a couple of months and then go back to it. If they went off for privates, it would undo all our work.