The Lakewood YMCA Gymnastics Center is dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We offer a variety of classes and activities for boys and girls of all ages in a fun and safe, team building environment. We promise to instill a sense of confidence and strength in all participants!
In this fun-filled 50-minute class, boys and girls ages walking to 3 years explore the exciting world of gymnastics alongside their favorite grown-up! Designed especially for our youngest gymnasts, this class helps develop basic motor skills, coordination, balance, and confidence in a safe, playful, and age-appropriate environment.
Little ones will enjoy exciting activities on the balance beam, bars, trampoline, and more, along with parachute games, dancing, and bubbles. It's the perfect first gymnastics experience for both children and their adult partner!
In this 50-minute class, fully potty-trained boys and girls ages 3–4 build confidence, coordination, and foundational gymnastics skills in a fun and supportive environment. With a coach-to-gymnast ratio of 6:1, each child receives personalized instruction while learning basic gymnastics skills such as rolls, jumps, beginning cartwheels, and handstands.
Using preschool-sized equipment designed for little gymnasts, children experience success as they safely develop strength, balance, and coordination. Each week features a fun new theme while also encouraging important school-readiness skills, including following directions, taking turns, sharing, and participating in a group setting.
Academy Novice is the perfect introductory gymnastics class for girls ages 5–17 who are new to the sport. In this fun and encouraging class, gymnasts build confidence while learning fundamental skills on all four Olympic events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
Athletes will develop essential gymnastics skills, including forward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, and beginner bar skills such as pullovers, casts, and forward roll dismounts. They will also learn proper balance beam techniques and foundational vaulting skills in a safe, progressive environment.
Throughout the class, coaches emphasize proper technique, strength, flexibility, coordination, and body awareness to create a strong foundation for future gymnastics success.
Note: Novice classes for Gymnasts ages 5-10 are held in our “Small gym” and girls 11 and up are in “The big gym.”
Academy Level 1 is the next step for gymnasts who have mastered the foundational skills taught in Academy Novice. In this 55-minute class, athletes continue building strength, confidence, and technique while progressing to more challenging skills on all four Olympic events.
Gymnasts refine previously learned skills and work toward mastering backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, bridges, and work on mastering pullovers and back hip circles on the uneven bars. They also continue developing balance beam fundamentals. On vault they continue to develop basic foundational skills.
Note: Gymnasts ages 7 and older transition to the "big gym," where they train on regulation sized equipment.
Academy Level 2 is designed for gymnasts who have demonstrated proficiency in the required skills of Academy Level 1 and are ready for the next stage of their gymnastics journey. Held in our "big gym," this 55-minute class focuses on refining technique while introducing more advanced skills on all four events.
On floor, gymnasts work on key skills such as round-offs, backbend kickovers, handstand forward rolls. On the uneven bars, athletes continue to strengthen their fundamentals while mastering pullovers from two feet, properly executed back hip circles, and underswing dismounts. Vault instruction introduces handstand flat backs, while balance beam training expands to include handstands, jumps and turns.
Throughout the class, coaches emphasize proper technique, strength, flexibility, and confidence, preparing gymnasts for continued advancement in the Academy program.
Academy Levels 3 & 4 are designed for gymnasts who have mastered the required skills in Academy Level 2 and are ready for more advanced training. In this 1 hour, 15-minute class, athletes continue to build strength, flexibility, and confidence while developing higher-level skills on all four events.
On floor, gymnasts work on front and back walkovers, back handsprings, as well as more advanced jumps and leaps. Balance beam training focuses on skills such as cartwheels, handstands, turns, while vault instruction continues to develop powerful handstand flat backs and proper vaulting technique. On the uneven bars, gymnasts work on mastering kips, hip circles, casting and dismounts.
With an emphasis on proper form, consistency, and skill progression, this class helps prepare gymnasts for the next level of training while fostering confidence, discipline, and a love for the sport.
Boys and girls ages 5–6 will have a blast jumping, running, climbing, and rolling while developing agility, strength, coordination, and confidence. Junior Ninjas will tackle exciting obstacle courses, build upper-body strength on the uneven bars, and learn fundamental gymnastics skills in a fun and encouraging environment. This action-packed class is perfect for energetic kids who love to move and explore!
Boys and girls ages 7–10 will build agility, coordination, strength, and confidence in our Big Ninja class. Ninjas will tackle challenging obstacle courses, enjoy exciting trampoline activities, and develop fundamental tumbling and bar skills. Through fun games, team challenges, and collaborative activities, athletes will build sportsmanship, learn the value of teamwork, and encourage one another while developing perseverance, focus, and dedication in a supportive and motivating environment.