Parents Travel Distance for a gym

[Cobgym11]

Wondering how far is too far to travel for a gym? Our current gym seems to have maxed out at their ability to coach beyond a certain level. We love the gym, but looking for one that can coach level 8’s and higher. We are about 1 hour away from Boston, and Connecticut. Western Massachusetts seems to have very limited options.

 

[Gym_momma]

When my daughter switched gyms, the new one was 35-40min away. I knew it would be a bigger commitment from me to get her there, but I haven't had a moment of regret seeing how much she loves the new gym and how it's a perfect fit for her.

 

[Liza]

We live about 10 minutes from our local gym but have chosen to commute to a gym about 45 minutes each way. While it is definitely a bigger commute than staying local it was the best decision. The local gym only has one level eight( the highest level offered ). The gym where my daughter trains has multiple level 10’s .

 

[GymnastMomX2]

That’s really up to what works for your family. We have at least 3 girls that travel at least 1.5 hours one way to our gym. They carpool so that helps, but I’m not sure I could manage it personally. We recently moved and now drive 30-35 min vs 15-20 and I hate it.

 

[Cobgym11]

We live about 10 minutes from our local gym but have chosen to commute to a gym about 45 minutes each way. While it is definitely a bigger commute than staying local it was the best decision. The local gym only has one level eight( the highest level offered ). The gym where my daughter trains has multiple level 10’s .

Thanks! I keep saying— 45 minutes, am I crazy — but it’s good to hear others consider it. Thanks

 

[AnotherGymDad]

Longer commute = more time for my kid to eat something on the drive there after school. That's how I make myself feel better about it anyway!

 

[HopefulGymnast]

Usually when i read about American families they always seem very busy, and I hear that family dinners are also less common in the US. I wonder if driving kids to sports can also just be a way to just get some valuable time to talk to eachother.

 

[LCsMom]

That totally depends on your tolerance level, and probably also who else you might have at home (ie other non-gymnast kids). I will say that no matter where the gym is located it's best if it is in an area that has access to decent amenities (like grocery stores or restaurants) so you aren't scrambling also driving an hour away just for those. (We live in a rural area where gyms can be tucked into places with nothing else around them.)

 

[Janneke]

We travel 30-40 minutes which is about my limit. One of the girls in my daughter's team travels 140 miles across a 3000 ft mountain pass (I think they may stay over at family sometimes). Not sure if I am that dedicated...

 

[Exgymmomx3]

Wondering how far is too far to travel for a gym? Our current gym seems to have maxed out at their ability to coach beyond a certain level. We love the gym, but looking for one that can coach level 8’s and higher. We are about 1 hour away from Boston, and Connecticut. Western Massachusetts seems to have very limited options.

When I had 3 gymnasts, we drove farther and farther away as they hit higher levels. About 1 1/2 hours each way. I would never do that again looking back! I think I had lost my mind at the time. Took away from family meals, time with my husband and son. That’s just what I decided after looking back. We should have stayed at our local gym. I’m sure they would have still succeeded.

 

[amazingmama]

We live about 10 minutes from our local gym but have chosen to commute to a gym about 45 minutes each way. While it is definitely a bigger commute than staying local it was the best decision. The local gym only has one level eight( the highest level offered ). The gym where my daughter trains has multiple level 10’s .

We travel one hour to our gym (and one hour return) and do that M-F (working around our days off/ work hours.) Our area is fairly rural and she started out at a small scale gym when she was 5 to see if she liked gym vs dance, etc. To have a spot on team/ advancement we had to start driving one hour to the next closest gyms in the area. One big positive is that it's time spent with our daughter chatting and getting her to do school work/ eat snacks.

 

[BusyMomof2]

We live in an incredibly congested major metro area, and have traveled 45 min - hour for 4 years now....and it's less than 10 miles. I get really tired of it but it is just the way it is where we live. The drive home isn't as bad bc of less traffic. I do enjoy the 1:1 time with my daughter and we have great convos, listen to music, etc. Sometimes I'll go work nearby on my laptop and then watch the last hour vs. doing the drive both ways. We're thinking about shifting to an even farther gym next year as she really wants to try to get to NCAA level and wants to be at a gym with more connections. Our current gym is fun and great but has zero college relationships.

 

[bookworm]

We did a 2 hour commute each way for the last 6 years… i stayed up by the gym and would shop, nap or go to the library and read. On the way home, they ate dinner and finished their homework. We did this 5 days a week.

 

[SuperDad7]

We did a 2 hour commute each way for the last 6 years… i stayed up by the gym and would shop, nap or go to the library and read. On the way home, they ate dinner and finished their homework. We did this 5 days a week.

Wow! How did you manage that? #superparent

 

[gym_dad32608]

Same here, 2 hour each way. She only has a 1.5 year left and I am actually starting to get sentimental about missing that drive time.

 

[SuperDad7]

On weekdays, it's about an hour drive for my 5 year old. From work, to his School to gym. I then chill somewhere (study, groceries, work) for 4 hours and drive him home.

Weekends, from house to gym, it's about 35 minutes each way.

I personally don't necessarily enjoy the drive. But he loves his gym and coach so definitely worth it. I don't think I'd drive to a gym further than the one we are at right now. But never say never...

 

[Cobgym11]

We live in an incredibly congested major metro area, and have traveled 45 min - hour for 4 years now....and it's less than 10 miles. I get really tired of it but it is just the way it is where we live. The drive home isn't as bad bc of less traffic. I do enjoy the 1:1 time with my daughter and we have great convos, listen to music, etc. Sometimes I'll go work nearby on my laptop and then watch the last hour vs. doing the drive both ways. We're thinking about shifting to an even farther gym next year as she really wants to try to get to NCAA level and wants to be at a gym with more connections. Our current gym is fun and great but has zero college relationships.

This is our dilemma. The current gym is fun but as she moves up, the gym will no longer be able to support her goals.

 

[BusyMomof2]

This is our dilemma. The current gym is fun but as she moves up, the gym will no longer be able to support her goals.

Ugh. I feel you. I honestly don't know if she'll love gym as much without her teammates, many of which she's been with for years now but she is adamant that she is okay with moving gyms to try to reach her goals. We'll see. Best of luck to you!

 

[Klaws]

Before a change in circumstances, we were looking at a 45 minute trip. Incidentally, it is not much different to school - we routinely travel and hour each way to go to school here too.