Which Gym???

[GetaGrip]

Hey Chalkbucket. I've been having a really big dilemma over what type of gym I could go to. There are about two different types of gyms I could go to, but I'm not sure which one.

Gym A: The coaches are really nice, the equipment is good, and I usually have fun. But, the score at this gym are terrible! I was treated like a celebrity for getting higher then a 32!!! It is not at all uncommon for this gym to not have 10.0 SV's in optional levels, or to not qualify for states. The goal of this gym is to get you a scholarship into college gymnastics, nothing more. I currently go to Gym A right now, and I'm not happy with my placing at meets. This gym allows you to come as much as you want, which is about 12 or so hours for most level 8's right now.

Gym B: The coaches at this gym are international level coaches. They can tell you everything you are doing wrong, and can coach high levels. However, they aren't always the nicest, and have more of a European-style coaching. The equipment is good, and you are always kept very busy. It is very common to score in the 35, 36, and 37 ranges at this gym, and they have had many State Champions on many events with scores in the high nines. You are guaranteed a 10.0 SV on everything, but you have to work really hard to please the coaches. The goal of these coaches is to get you into international level competitions, and to win at states. I am considering going to one of these gyms, and I'm willing to work hard to do well here. You go an upwards of 20 hours a week at this gym.

What do I do? Gym A is really nice, and they are like my family, but I know that I have no chance what-so-ever to get to international competitions, or even qualify past regionals at level 8-10. I am still 13, but if I don't start working hard and getting my difficult skills now, gymnastics is going to be very hard for me. I will never even be able to look at myself in the future if I know that I didn't give it my best shot to go as far as I can in gymnastics, whether I failed or not. I know that Gym B is my best shot, but I'm still not sure. My parents are fine for what ever I choose, but they know that I can't be upset at states when I don't place well if I go to Gym A. I am going into level 8.

Any advice at all is welcome! I am very confused!

-Lauren

 

[ZJsMom]

It sounds like you want to go to gym B, but you're comfortable at gym A. Have you been to try out at gym B? I think that would be the best way to figure out whether the coaching style would work for you and where you'd fit in there. It's possible they'd want to move you back a level since it sounds like the standards are a lot higher than your current gym's. I think you should go there and check it out so you have more information to go on.

 

[flexiballetgirl]

I feel your pain..I had the same issue when I changed to a pre-pro dance studio. You need to think about what YOU want. I would go to gym B. Sometimes the stricter/international level coaches are better for you. You know you are being spotted correctly ect. It's up to you but I would go with gym B.

 

[flexiballetgirl]

I forgot something.......Think about this for a second. You want to move up, qualify for thing ect. but will you be able to take the strict coaching. Are you sure tha you want to give up your free time for gymnastics? Yes, Gym B...Even the tinest bit of doubt, Stay put and think about it a little more.

 

[GetaGrip]

ZJ's Mom, you have a good point. They do have higher standards, but I managed to pass off level 7 w/ around 34's and 35's with falls on all meets. (I did 6/7). I really want to go to that gym, but I wouldn't know how to tell my current gym.

flexiballetgirl, I went to a strict gym for a while, I actually did pretty well, nearly got 37's, and I handled it well. But because my parents separated, they moved my to Gym A so it would be easier on them. I love gymnastics with all my heart, and it actually really bothers me that I don't go as much at Gym A.

 

[flexiballetgirl]

You sound like gym B would be good for you. I say go for it. As for telling your other gym....Go to the HC and thanks him/her for everything and say you have gotten as far as you can here want to grow more than the gym's programs will allow.

 

[GetaGrip]

You sound like gym B would be good for you. I say go for it. As for telling your other gym....Go to the HC and thanks him/her for everything and say you have gotten as far as you can here want to grow more than the gym's programs will allow.

Wow.... Thank you so much! Your right, I need a gym that can take me as far as I want to go, and Gym A just can't do that for me. I'll work on how I should tell the HC, but I'll definitely keep that in mind.

 

[gymdog]

I would definitely try out at any gym before you decide to switch.

I went to a gym where not only did every optional qualify to states, qualifying to regionals was an expectation. Even in my region where qualification is by placement, the year I did L8 we had a huge L8 team (by state standards), around 10 people, and everyone qualified to regionals.

But that doesn't mean a 10.0 SV is a "guarantee", it means they don't move girls up until they think they'll score pretty high at the next level. I was getting 36s in my first year of L8 and competing the harder skills like pike tsuks, double back off bars (this was before the rule change obviously). I still did two years of L8 because pretty much everyone did two years of L8 (not an elite program so not trying to fast track people). And by my second year I was competing multiple Cs on bars, beam, and floor (I would probably have been moved up under the rule changes today...but back then you could do it) and had a pak salto I couldn't compete at the time. But I had only done one year of 8 and would score better at 8 than 9 so I did it, even though I was working out in a 9/10 group and did some L9 meets towards the end of the year.

 

[coachmolly]

I would say try out Gym B to see what you think of them and what they think of you. Find out if their goals for you match your own. Will they hold you back in level 7 for another season or maybe even more? Or will they let you move on to level 8?
I faced a similar situation as a gymnast. I was training level 8 (well, the USAIGC version of it) at my current gym and my coaches had one goal for me (to be a mediocre high school gymnast) while I wanted to do gymnastics in college (D3 most likely). I knew what I wanted and they were not willing to help me get there. I switched to a more intensive gym with more hours, better results, and girls who actually earned places on college gym teams. That gym moved me back to level 6 with girls much younger than me and basically had to help me relearn everything. It was heartbreaking.
However, I did learn a lot at the gym but it didn't come without cost. I was 15, had my heart set on competing at least level 7 for them and ended up doing level 6 with 8 year olds. I was way behind the other girls as far as conditioning ability and always felt totally inadequate. But that being said, the coaches did a lot for me and I wish I had gone there much sooner! You are younger than I was, so if the opportunity is there, I say at least give it a shot.
Try out the gym if at all possible, maybe even for 2 or 3 days. After a few days, see what you think of the gym and ask the coaches why plan of action they would take. Good luck with this, I hope it all works out!

 

[GetaGrip]

I really want to go to Gym B, but I can't seem to come up with multiple reasons. I'm just so conflicted!!!

Gym A:

Pro's:
Good gym
Nice coaches
Guarantee that I'll move up
More communication

Cons:
Bad scores
No elite experience
I'm not being told what I'm doing wrong
Not many hours


Gym B:

Pro's:
Experienced coaches (elite/olympian training and experience)
Elite experience
People accepted into Stanford from this gym
Higher scores
More hours

Cons:
Scary coaches
Lack of communication
No guarantee I'll be moved up


Argh!!!!! Conflicted!!!! *headdesk*

~Lauren

 

[Shelovesthebars]

Do you really know enough about gym B to list the pros and cons yet or are you just going off of what other people say?

 

[gymdog]

I agree. The only way to know is to request a tryout/evaluation. They should reasonably assess your chances of what level/group you'll be placed in at their gym. And you'll see if you like it, if the drive and cost are manageable, etc.

 

[ZJsMom]

Shelovesthebars brings up a good point. Do you really know the coaches are mean/scary, or are you basing this on reputation and rumor. I've noticed that there are rumors that go around about the more successful gyms that are sometimes bred of jealousy or excuses. I've heard them in the stands at meets about programs my kids are in and know that they aren't necessarily true. You don't really know what it would be like to work with the gym B coaches until you go and do it. They might be much better (or much worse) than you imagine, which could make your decision easier.