Tumbling Places for Beginners

Gymnastics tumbling attracts many people because it combines athleticism and artistic expression, which makes it a wonderful spectator sport. However, if you are no longer content to watch from the sidelines and wish to get into the action, there are many options for beginners. Students can develop confidence, body awareness, strength and balance. Gymnastics can be good preparation for sports and help develop socialization skills in children. And participants can have fun getting fit.

  1. Determine Goals

    • Decide what you are looking for in a gym or gymnastics club. Is it fitness, socialization or gearing up for competition? Some clubs cater to certain age groups and in addition to tumbling, offer other activities. Tumbling skills consist of forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, round-offs, flips and sometimes trampoline skills. Most gyms also broaden instruction to include the use of various apparatus, such as the balance beam, rings and parallel bars, when participants are ready. Consider how much time you are willing to commit. Many clubs offer a free trial class where prospective students can try before they buy, which is a great option for a beginner.

    What to Look for in a Gym

    • Look around when you visit the club and listen in on instruction. Ask yourself the following questions. Is the equipment in good order and is there an emphasis on safety? Do the participants seem like they are enjoying themselves? Look at the employee biographies if they are available. Instructors should be certified in CPR and first aid. Do they have a background in gymnastics or fitness or possess any related certifications? Have they had experience working with the targeted age group? Do they seem patient and willing to work with students who are beginners and is there an appropriate student-instructor ratio?

    Preschool Options

    • Franchises such as J. W. Tumbles and My Gym offer structured tumbling/ gymnastics play programs that start as early as 6 weeks with a parent on up to preteens. Their programs focus on whole child development and also include games and music. Since they are national franchises, there has been some proven success and their programs can be easily replicated. However, the quality of the program will vary from location to location largely depending on the personnel. Look into your local YMCA. Most of these programs are very good and will typically offer the classes at a lower cost than a private organization.

    Older Children and Adults

    • YMCAs also offer classes for older children and adults, although adult classes are a little more difficult to find. Some of the YMCAs will offer them, however, if they have the appropriate facilities. USA Gymnastics is an organization that governs U.S. gymnastics clubs. In order to become a member, clubs must be safety-certified through them and agree to uphold participant welfare policies. USA Gymnastics also recommends clubs on its website under "find a club" by entering in a ZIP code. There are also many good local organizations that offer classes. Gymnastics academies tend to be a little more serious and competitive versus recreational clubs. Ask friends for referrals and look for testimonials on the organizations' websites.

      Summer camps offer another introduction to the sport. In addition to their regular classes, most gyms also offer week-long camps. This allows you to try out the sport for a short period to see if it is right for you without committing to something long-term.