Parents TOPS

[Shinybanana]

Looking for input from parents of kids who have done TOPS.

What info do you wish you knew ahead of time?
How many hours extra did TOPS add to your kids level of training?

Whats the finish rate of TOPS?

My 6 yr old most likely is being invited to it for next year and Im just curious about it.

We homeschool already but I do work.

 

[Dahlialover]

TOPs varies significantly depending on the gym. TOPs can be a fairly chill program that provides motivated gymnasts an opportunity to do extra conditioning or it can be part of an intense fast-track program aiming to get kids to elite as early as possible. I know a girl who made the TOPS national team as an 8-year-old; she competed TOPS and level 7&8 at age 8, level 9 at 9, and HOPES at 10. I think she has been training 20-25 hours, since age 7. She is happy and healthy. I also know kids who have done TOPS and have gotten burned out and quit the sport by age 10. It really depends on fit between the child and the program.

 

[Chamomile]

My daughter did TOPS but didn’t start until she was 9. I would say it added 4-6 hours a week additional training. The amount of strength she gained was super impressive. She qualified to the TOPS National Team I am glad she did it. I have gone back and forth as to whether or not I regret that she didn’t do it earlier. I agree with @Dahlialover observation about burnout. We are fortunate because our dd loved it.

My daughter has always eaten well but we started working with a dietician after TOPS and I wish we had done that sooner.

 

[GymDadWA]

At my daughters gym it added two hours a week. Was kind of a waste of time, was the only time ever my daughter did not want to go to gym, the training was boring and to her it didn't feel helpful, got tired of climbing ropes and doing press handstands, she wanted to tumble not strength train.