Gymnastics

Gymnastics Philosophy:
"Our gymnastics program is designed to promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. We incorporate the character development values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring into all our classes. Our goal is to improve self confidence, and create a lifetime desire for being physically fit."

Preschool Program:

Lesson plans are created to be fun and challenging allowing your child to develop skills in a safe environment taught by experienced instructors with the child's safety a priority. All classes help your child gain balance, spatial awareness, strength, and flexibility.

Toddler Gymnastics:
(18 months - 3 yrs with parent) 40 min class
This class is designed to be fun and exploratory in a playgroup type atmosphere. Our certified instructors will help you and your child navigate the lesson plans in a safe environment incorporating circle time and songs. We use age appropriate play equipment for your child to crawl, roll, climb, and roam while developing body awareness, locomotive and balancing skills. Parents and caregivers can meet other Moms and Dads, and toddlers can begin social interaction with other children of the same age.

Preschool Gymnastics:
(3 - 4 yrs) 45 min class
This class is designed to promote beginner skill development with an emphasis on safety and fun. The lesson plans incorporate circle time, songs and a circuit style format. Each class will help increase your child's ability to follow directions, join group activities, and develop muscle control during active play.

Toddler Gym & Swim:
(18 mos - 3 yrs with parent)
This class is a combination of toddler gymnastics and Aquatot swim class. There will be a half hour each of gym followed by swim with a 15 minute break in between allowing for locker room time.

Preschool Gym & Swim:
(3 - 4 yrs)
This class is a combination of Preschool gymnastics and preschool swim class. There will be a half hour each of gym followed by swim with a 15 minute break in between allowing for locker room time.

Kindergymnastics:
(5 - 6 years) 45 min class
In this class children learn "lead-up" drills required for learning basic gymnastics skills and terminology with an emphasis on fun. Lesson plans involve a modified warm-up and circuit style format. Children use age appropriate equipment and are slowly introduced to the larger Olympic pieces. This class is designed to further increase the child's skill development and ability to follow directions in a group setting.

School Age Program:

These classes are both recreational and instructional, and incorporate age appropriate conditioning for the increased strength needed for participation in the sport. Gymnasts follow specific progression guidelines for proper skill development on each of the Olympic pieces of equipment. Participation helps develop agility, strength, balance, and flexibility.

Rollers: (6 - 7 yrs) 1 hr class
This class is for the beginner gymnast with little or no gymnastics experience. Students begin learning basic gymnastics skills on all the Olympic pieces: Floor- forward and backward rolls, handstands against wall, cartwheel drills and bridges; Beam- mounts, straight leg walks, straight jump dismount with safety landing; Bars- jump to front support with straight arms, pullovers with incline on wall, forward roll dismount; Vault- arm circle board entry technique, squat on, and jumps to safety landing position. Skills taught at this level will also include safety landings, falling/rolling for injury prevention.

Swingers: (6 - 7 yrs) 1hr 15 min class
This is an advanced beginner class for those gymnasts who are able to demonstrate Rollers level skills unassisted with proper technique (straight arms and legs and pointed feet). Gymnasts will learn the next level skills: Floor- Straight arm front and back rolls with/without incline, handstands and cartwheels with proper lunge technique, and bridge kick-overs with legs elevated; Beam- mount to knee scale, all direction releve holds and walks, grapevines crossing forward, arabesques, dismount; Bars- pullover unassisted with legs together, back hip circles assisted, and cast dismount; Vault- handstand flat backs on 8" skill cushion with springboard and handstand to flat back onto port-a-pit with mini-tramp.

Kippers: (8 + yrs) 1 hr class
This is a beginner to intermediate class incorporating Rollers and Swingers curriculum and building to higher level skills: Floor- front and back roll variations, handstand forward rolls, handstand to bridge and kick-over with legs elevated; Beam- straight jumps, scales, releve pivot turns, round-off dismount; Bars- pullovers back hip circles with or without assistance, single leg swing up, and straddle dismount; Vault- arm circle punch to forward roll, and handstand flat back to port-a-pit with board.

Flyers: (8 + yrs) 1 hr 15 min class
This is an advanced class for gymnasts who have mastered the previous level skills. Gymnasts will continue to learn more advanced skills at their own pace. Participants may learn different skills in accordance with their own individual levels of flexibility and strength at each Olympic apparatus. This class is by instructor approval. Please contact Michelle Beam for more information.

Pre-team: (5 + yrs)
Pre-team is a good transition step for those gymnasts who have the desire to participate at the competitive level but have not yet achieved the minimum skill level required. This program also allows the gymnast to explore the atmosphere of a team setting without the pressure of competition. Gymnasts will learn and practice compulsory routines to help them prepare for possible competitions in the future. This offering is by instructor approval only. Please see Michelle Beam for evaluation

Gymnastics Team: (6 + yrs; levels 3 +)
Gymnastics team is for the dedicated gymnast who has acquired a minimum skill level. The competitive levels are divided by age and ability to ensure that each child is successful. The team will compete against other YMCA teams with options to compete through the Jr. Olympic organization, USAG. All meets follow USAG competitive level guidelines and routines and are judged by USAG rated officials. Team members learn to work together, usually forming friendships that go beyond gymnastics. Team offers an outlet for the competitive gymnast in a positive learning environment. This offering is by instructor approval only. Please see Michelle Beam for evaluation.

Tumbling Class: (8 + yrs) 1 hour class
This class combines beginner and advanced tumbling for those students wishing only to practice floor. This class is typically designed to teach the skills desired for the sport of cheerleading but is open to all. Cheerleading squads may reserve a time with one or more instructors for their entire group at a reduced rate. Please contact Michelle Beam for full squad reservations.

Other Gymnastics Programs:

Adult Gymnastics
Open format using the training equipment to enjoy the sport.

Open Gymnastics (all ages)
During the School vacation weeks the gymnastics department will offer open gymnastics for students currently enrolled in the program. These will be supervised, and structured but fun! Registration will be in advance. Dates and times will be available closer to vacation.

Special Groups:
The Keene Family YMCA is now offering gymnastics lessons to outside groups including but not limited to daycare centers, preschools, cheer squads, and playgroups. The YMCA will be able to provide a driver and our YMCA bus (complete with seatbelts) for up to 24 people for those groups without sufficient transportation. Please contact Michelle Beam for more information.

Private Lessons:
Private lessons are available upon request for 1 to 3 students for a single fee. Please contact Michelle Beam to schedule a lesson.

Gymnastics Parties
Vault, Bar, Beam, Floor and a whole lot more! Gymnastics parties, led by an instructor, include a little of each event and parachute games. Great for children of all ages. There are many times available. Contact Michelle Beam to schedule your Gymnastics party!