Forward Roll! Gymnastics for kids


Landon and I head to a Gymnastics class once a week at Junior Gym. Not to be confused with My Gym or Gymboree, this is the real gymnastics deal. At first I thought gymnastics for a kid who's 18 months (now 19) was ridiculous. Boy was I WRONG! To see the look on his face when he first did (with my assistance) a forward roll was priceless. So proud and so happy, he literally wears himself out after an hour and then naps! LOVE IT!

Junior Gym has two locations, one in Van Nuys and a new one opening in Westlake Village. Now this is a real gym people. Were talking balance beams, a huge floor mat, rings etc. They don't focus on competitive stuff, just a mommy and me class, and other classes for all different ages and skill levels, where the kids have some structure but a lot of fun!

The Mommy and Me class( 15 months-3 years old) goes like this:
First we have a warm up with Coach J. Coach J is an adorable college student who the kids die for. She makes the stretching fun by using cute analogies like..."who can be a dog and then put their leg out to make a tail?", or "Who can swim like a fish on their bellies?" She is genius.

After that we do a little running around "Who can hop like a bunny to the red line?", this gets them really warmed up. It also teaches them to listen. Helooooooo!

Then we go around the room doing forward rolls, low balance beam, climbing etc. Then we head to the trampoline for some jumping. After that a lesson from Coach J on the big beam, dive forward rolls, high bar etc.

The kids are good and wait their turn!

Then more activity and a goodbye cheer. Fabulous! Can't recommend it enough. If you have a good Gymnastics place in your area let me know!

** Attention readers! Coach Al (pictured above) always let's you try a class for free before you sign up, but he said if you mention One Fabulous Mom you get another free class! Two free classes! Cheers!

13 comments:

Libby said...

Oh my gosh, this sounds like my kind of place! What fun, do you think they would let me attend even though I don't have a kiddo yet?

lizziefitz said...

Do you nap after class too? Sounds like fun. Thanks for joining my new blog:)

Heather said...

That sounds like a great class!

Belle said...

I totally agree! I did "Mommy and Me" with both my boys. It was so much fun!

Tres Poshe Preppy said...

How fun! I was in gymnastics from the age of 5-14 and loved it! Now that I read this, I'm sure my parents had ulterior motives! I did nap a lot! ;)

PaperCourt said...

Love it. I'm such a slacker with #2...he never gets to take any classes.

Pigtails and Pacifiers said...

The Belle and I also go to a mommy and me gym class. It is great! We go to the local community college every Wednesday. My husbands cousin is actually the coach. She is great with the kids and they have so much fun. The Belle is always worn out when we leave. At the end of gym the kids get a stamp on their hand which they all think is great. I too would suggest for anyone to go. I will be putting The May in this spring.

workinthatpreppy said...

precious. yes i did all those classes with my first...swimming, tumbling, kindermusik....so fun!

Cindy said...

Sophie has been going classes in the SF bay area that sound a lot like these. They're offered by UC University Village in Albany (Berkeley's family student housing), but they're open the community as well (at a slightly higher price). We started with the Mommy (and Daddy) and me, and now Sophie is on her own. What I like is that it's more a class about movement, following instructions, waiting turns, and having fun than actual acrobatics. And really great for getting out the willies on a rainy day!

Linda S said...

My little one started w/ gymnastics at 18mos...by the time she got to school she could do more pull-ups than the boys! (beast!) It's great exercise!!

Amy said...

Loved the mom and me classes! But I honestly have to say, I love it even more that they can go out and do all those fun things by themselves at the big girl class!! Perfect time for me to catch up on reading my US Weekly!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Sounds Great! How much does it cost after the first (or second) free class? Oh, WOW! again $160 (see price list). Kinda steep for a mommy and me class...

Gemma Wilson said...

And the best part - they get so tired - they nap straight afterwards - Love that