Class Descriptions
GRGA is a Member of USA Gymnastics: USAG is the national governing board for the sport of gymnastics in the United States and responsible for selecting the Olympic team every four years. All GRGA coaches are professional members and safety certified through USAG. Class Structure: All classes will begin with an 5-10 minute warm-up/stretch. This is followed by two or three event rotations where gymnasts will rotate through stations or follow a circuit of drills and fundamentals for that particular apparatus. A variety of techniques are used to aid in the mastering of skills autonomously. To increase each child’s awareness of skills, the instructors will spot, use demonstrators, set up strength and flexibility stations and incorporate training shapes (octagons, trapezoids, barrels, incline mats, etc.) Class Ratios: All classes will maintain an 8:1 gymnast/coach ratio or less. Safety and individual attention is our number one goal. Advancement: GRGA provides a multi-level program where children progress at their own pace. There is no specific timeline for gymnasts to move up. The office will contact you at any time throughout the year if they feel your child needs to move to a more appropriate class.
Pre-school Program (ages 2-5) – Upstairs Pre-k Gym
Parent/tot (ages 18 months to 3 years old with parental assistance) - This is a great class for introducing basic movement skills in a fun and age-appropriate environment. Gymnasts will work through a series of stations and coordination building skills in each class. Focus is on motor skills, listening and taking turns in a stimulating environment. One adult per child will participate in the class and assist the child in following the teacher’s instructions.
Pre-k I (ages 3 and 4) Children work on all four apparatus (vault, bars, beam and floor) with the aid of smaller scaled equipment and props. Classes are held in our upstairs pre-k gym designed for the safety of the pre-k age gymnast. Introductory gymnastics skills are introduced along with reinforcing listening skills and following directions through the use of stations, circuits and props.
Pre-k II (ages 4 and 5) We recommend this class for any child who meets the age requirement. This is also a great class for any five year-old who may desire the smaller scale equipment and cozier environment of our pre-k gym vs. moving to a beginner class in our downstairs gym.
Beginner (age 5+ - downstairs gym) Once a gymnast turns 5, they have the option of participating in our Beginner classes which are held downstairs in our recreational and competitive team gym. There is no skill requirements for our Beginner classes and any gymnast age 5 and up may opt to register for this class if they would like.
Recreational Program (Ages 5 and up) – Xcel Competitive Track
Beginner (1 or 2 days/week) This class involves the introduction of basic gymnastics skills on all four apparatus: vault, bars, beam and floor. Tumble Track (60 foot trampoline) is also incorporated to teach jumps as well as floor and vault progressions. An example of skills introduced are forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands and bridges on floor. Bar skills may include pull-overs, front supports, glides and skin the cats. Low and medium beams will be utilized to introduce basic walks, kicks, jumps and rolls.
Intermediate I (1 or 2 days/week) This class also utilizes all four apparatus and trampoline. Gymnasts will continue to perfect the skills introduced to them in beginner. They will also begin working on round-offs, bridge kick-overs, front and back hip circles on bars as well as moving their basic floor skills to the low and medium balance beams. Gymnasts in this class must have completed the Beginner class and been recommended by an instructor to move up.
Intermediate II (1 or 2 days/week) Gymnasts will be working on front limbers, back walk-overs and standing back handsprings on floor. Bar skills will include sole circles, stride circles, front and back hip circles. Vaulting will focus on handstand flat backs onto a resi pit. It is strongly recommended that gymnasts attend two days/week at this level. Coach’s will recommend gymnasts who have mastered Intermediate I skills for this class. Xcel Bronze (2-3 days/week) This is the first competitive level of our Xcel program. The Xcel program provides competitive opportunities for gymnasts and families who may desire less of a time and financial commitment. It is also the more flexible of the two programs in terms of ability level. Xcel is great for gymnasts who may want a more relaxed practice structure or prefer the opportunity to do their own routines vs. the structured preset routines that are choreographed for the entry levels of the JO system. It is also ideal for gymnasts who may have gotten a later start into gymnastics or gymnasts who may struggle with certain events, strength, flexibility or fear. Gymnasts who participate in our Xcel program are also often involved in other extracurricular activities or sports in addition to gymnastics.
Developmental Program (ages 5 and up) - Junior Olympic Competitive Track (Coach Recommendation) The Developmental program is designed to identify gymnasts with strong natural ability and drive for the sport of gymnastics and prepare them for competitive gymnastics. Gymnasts in this program will see an accelerated rate of progression due to the 2-3 day/week of practices. The classes are more intensely focused on strength, flexibility and technique to create a solid foundation of gymnastics basics that will ultimately prepare gymnasts for safe and consistent progressions through the levels.
The final goal of the program is to develop well prepared gymnasts that are ready to compete through the USAG Junior Olympic program, beginning at Level 3. The assumption upon entering this program is that your child has a desire to compete in the sport at some point. Fast Track (ages 5-8 – 2 days/week) – Gymnasts in Fast Track will have attained the skills from Hot Shots and demonstrate readiness for an increase focus on perfecting form and technique with the skills introduced in Hot Shots. The main goal of this class will be to improve form and technique of skills already attained. In addition, drills for skills in the next level will be introduced in the Fast-Track level class. Since this class is intended to progress gymnasts towards the team program, year-round participation is required to retain enrollment in the class.
Super Stars (ages 5-9 – 2 days/week) – The Super Star class will begin teaching gymnasts the Level 1 skills and routines that are designated by USA Gymnastics. These routines are the foundation that will lead to success as gymnasts move-up through the program, ultimately leading to competition at Level 3. Since this class is intended to progress gymnasts towards the team program, year-round participation is required to retain enrollment in the class.
Advanced Super Stars (ages 5-9 – 2-3 days/week) Gymnasts in the Advanced Super Stars class will build upon the skills and routines learned in Super Stars and will focus on learning the Level 2 routines and skills. This is the last non-competitive level in the developmental program. An increased emphasis on conditioning will begin in this level to prepare them for the necessary added time spent on conditioning at the competitive levels in the JO program.
Pre-team (ages 5-9 – 3 days/week) The pre-team class will prepare the kids for their first season on the competitive team. The goal in this class is to attain all the required Level 3 skills and begin learning the routines for Level 3. Coaches will also spend time focusing on details specific to competing such as how to salute the judge and how their routines are evaluated in competition.
Level 3 (ages 6-10 – 3 days/week) Level 3 is the first competitive level of the Junior Olympic level system through USA Gymnastics. The JO program is a more intense program than the alternative competitive program, Xcel. It follows very specific guidelines, progressions and requirements through USAG. It is ideal for gymnasts who are naturally strong enough and flexible enough to be successful with the required elements at each level. It is also the most commonly regarded path toward gymnastics at the collegiate levels, Divison I,II or III.
Pre-school Program (ages 2-5) – Upstairs Pre-k Gym
Parent/tot (ages 18 months to 3 years old with parental assistance) - This is a great class for introducing basic movement skills in a fun and age-appropriate environment. Gymnasts will work through a series of stations and coordination building skills in each class. Focus is on motor skills, listening and taking turns in a stimulating environment. One adult per child will participate in the class and assist the child in following the teacher’s instructions.
Pre-k I (ages 3 and 4) Children work on all four apparatus (vault, bars, beam and floor) with the aid of smaller scaled equipment and props. Classes are held in our upstairs pre-k gym designed for the safety of the pre-k age gymnast. Introductory gymnastics skills are introduced along with reinforcing listening skills and following directions through the use of stations, circuits and props.
Pre-k II (ages 4 and 5) We recommend this class for any child who meets the age requirement. This is also a great class for any five year-old who may desire the smaller scale equipment and cozier environment of our pre-k gym vs. moving to a beginner class in our downstairs gym.
Beginner (age 5+ - downstairs gym) Once a gymnast turns 5, they have the option of participating in our Beginner classes which are held downstairs in our recreational and competitive team gym. There is no skill requirements for our Beginner classes and any gymnast age 5 and up may opt to register for this class if they would like.
Recreational Program (Ages 5 and up) – Xcel Competitive Track
Beginner (1 or 2 days/week) This class involves the introduction of basic gymnastics skills on all four apparatus: vault, bars, beam and floor. Tumble Track (60 foot trampoline) is also incorporated to teach jumps as well as floor and vault progressions. An example of skills introduced are forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands and bridges on floor. Bar skills may include pull-overs, front supports, glides and skin the cats. Low and medium beams will be utilized to introduce basic walks, kicks, jumps and rolls.
Intermediate I (1 or 2 days/week) This class also utilizes all four apparatus and trampoline. Gymnasts will continue to perfect the skills introduced to them in beginner. They will also begin working on round-offs, bridge kick-overs, front and back hip circles on bars as well as moving their basic floor skills to the low and medium balance beams. Gymnasts in this class must have completed the Beginner class and been recommended by an instructor to move up.
Intermediate II (1 or 2 days/week) Gymnasts will be working on front limbers, back walk-overs and standing back handsprings on floor. Bar skills will include sole circles, stride circles, front and back hip circles. Vaulting will focus on handstand flat backs onto a resi pit. It is strongly recommended that gymnasts attend two days/week at this level. Coach’s will recommend gymnasts who have mastered Intermediate I skills for this class. Xcel Bronze (2-3 days/week) This is the first competitive level of our Xcel program. The Xcel program provides competitive opportunities for gymnasts and families who may desire less of a time and financial commitment. It is also the more flexible of the two programs in terms of ability level. Xcel is great for gymnasts who may want a more relaxed practice structure or prefer the opportunity to do their own routines vs. the structured preset routines that are choreographed for the entry levels of the JO system. It is also ideal for gymnasts who may have gotten a later start into gymnastics or gymnasts who may struggle with certain events, strength, flexibility or fear. Gymnasts who participate in our Xcel program are also often involved in other extracurricular activities or sports in addition to gymnastics.
Developmental Program (ages 5 and up) - Junior Olympic Competitive Track (Coach Recommendation) The Developmental program is designed to identify gymnasts with strong natural ability and drive for the sport of gymnastics and prepare them for competitive gymnastics. Gymnasts in this program will see an accelerated rate of progression due to the 2-3 day/week of practices. The classes are more intensely focused on strength, flexibility and technique to create a solid foundation of gymnastics basics that will ultimately prepare gymnasts for safe and consistent progressions through the levels.
The final goal of the program is to develop well prepared gymnasts that are ready to compete through the USAG Junior Olympic program, beginning at Level 3. The assumption upon entering this program is that your child has a desire to compete in the sport at some point. Fast Track (ages 5-8 – 2 days/week) – Gymnasts in Fast Track will have attained the skills from Hot Shots and demonstrate readiness for an increase focus on perfecting form and technique with the skills introduced in Hot Shots. The main goal of this class will be to improve form and technique of skills already attained. In addition, drills for skills in the next level will be introduced in the Fast-Track level class. Since this class is intended to progress gymnasts towards the team program, year-round participation is required to retain enrollment in the class.
Super Stars (ages 5-9 – 2 days/week) – The Super Star class will begin teaching gymnasts the Level 1 skills and routines that are designated by USA Gymnastics. These routines are the foundation that will lead to success as gymnasts move-up through the program, ultimately leading to competition at Level 3. Since this class is intended to progress gymnasts towards the team program, year-round participation is required to retain enrollment in the class.
Advanced Super Stars (ages 5-9 – 2-3 days/week) Gymnasts in the Advanced Super Stars class will build upon the skills and routines learned in Super Stars and will focus on learning the Level 2 routines and skills. This is the last non-competitive level in the developmental program. An increased emphasis on conditioning will begin in this level to prepare them for the necessary added time spent on conditioning at the competitive levels in the JO program.
Pre-team (ages 5-9 – 3 days/week) The pre-team class will prepare the kids for their first season on the competitive team. The goal in this class is to attain all the required Level 3 skills and begin learning the routines for Level 3. Coaches will also spend time focusing on details specific to competing such as how to salute the judge and how their routines are evaluated in competition.
Level 3 (ages 6-10 – 3 days/week) Level 3 is the first competitive level of the Junior Olympic level system through USA Gymnastics. The JO program is a more intense program than the alternative competitive program, Xcel. It follows very specific guidelines, progressions and requirements through USAG. It is ideal for gymnasts who are naturally strong enough and flexible enough to be successful with the required elements at each level. It is also the most commonly regarded path toward gymnastics at the collegiate levels, Divison I,II or III.