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What should my child wear to gymnastics classes, open gym, or a birthday party at IGM?

Children should wear something comfortable. Avoid zippers, buttons, jewelry, clothes with ties, and clothes that are heavy. Socks and shoes should be taken off before entering the gym area. Leotards are not required, but are easiest to move in during gymnastics activities.

Whom do I contact if I have a question or comment?

IGM has an open door policy for all questions, concerns, suggestions, and comments. You can email igm@igmgymnastics.com and you will get a quick response. You may speak with your child's coach, the office manager, or another available coach at any time. You can also call IGM directly at 952-898-3889.

What are the benefits of gymnastics?

The multifaceted sports of Rhythmic and Artistic gymnastics are some of the most comprehensive activities available to children, incorporating strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Furthermore, many benefits of gymnastics are NOT related to learning gymnastics skills, but even more important developmental and social skills that will help your child become a better student and adult. All children, regardless of ability, should participate in gymnastics for at least 3-5 years to get the full benefit of what gymnastics offers. Fitness: Gymnastics is full of activities that help children stay fit and healthy. Taking part in any excercise significantly reduces the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabities in adulthood. Instead of watching TV and playing video games, kids have the opportunity and are encouraged to build strength, improve coordination, and focus on their flexibility which helps limit injuries. Over time, gymnasts develop balance skills, agility and endurance. Mind: Gymnastics requires focus, concentration, determination, body-awareness and problem-solving at each practice. Kids exercise their brain and continue to use the same skills at school! Work Ethic & Discipline: Gymnastics is a challenging sport, it teaches children to be patient and to earn the skills with each practice. Children learn that hard work pays off in the end, a lesson that promotes individual responsibility and discipline. Confidence & Self Esteem: At first, some lessons may seem impossible to accomplish. However, each program (level) encourages children to practice only attainable challenges so they are successful with hard work. Another challenge includes overcoming the fear of performing in front of people. For some this element of the sport is the most fun, but for most it may be very frightening. With each performance children become more comfortable and confident which may help with similar challenges at school. Social Skills & Politeness: Especially for the younger ones, gymnastics provides a chance to learn skills such as listening and following directions, taking turns, and respecting others. Furthermore, gymnasts learn the importance of encouraging each other, practice good sportsmanship and learn from one another. Caring Teachers: Our gymnastics teachers care about EVERY student regardless of their ability. Our instructors' goals include gaining each child's trust over time and guiding them through each challenge at each child's individual pace. You have done a terrific job of parenting by getting your child interested in this educational sport. Let's challenge each child and give them an opportunity to have FUN while making new friendships and staying fit!

Are parents allowed to watch their child's class ?

Parents are allowed to watch in the lobby area. Parents are not allowed on any equipment or on the gym floor unless participating in Parent & Tot class or asked by an IGM staff member. If you need to communicate with your child or their instructor during class time, please alert our office staff and they will assist you.

We request for parents to remain at IGM during class time if their child is under the age of 4. Parents of children who are 4 years old and older can drop their children off, but should always be at the gym on time for pick up. Students of all ages are required to wait inside the building for their ride to pick them up.

At what age can a child begin practicing gymnastics?

Right now is the best age! Many students begin gymnastics in their early teen years and go on to have very successful gymnastics careers. In their teen years, new gymnasts are still physically capable of quickly picking up the sport of gymnastics, while developing lifelong attributes such as commitment, perseverance, and teamwork. It is also beneficial to place your child in a gymnastics class as early as 18 months. It is important to remember that for the most part children develop their fundamental movement skills between ages 2 and 5. It is critical to take hold of these learning periods and give your children the tools and the place to practice and develop those skills in a safe environment.

What are the risks of the sport and how do your coaches strive to avoid them?

Like all sports and activities, gymnastics can be dangerous with improper conduct or lack of supervision. All IGM coaches have been trained to spot correctly, know how to properly teach each skill, and are aware of all risks every apparatus presents. Being USAG certified, the coaches must have passed an in-depth safety course.

What should my child do on their first day of class?

IGM does not require a check-in upon arrival. When it is time to start class, your child's instructor(s) will come and get the gymnasts. If you have any questions about who your child's instructor will be, the front desk staff will direct you in the right direction. Our coaches' pictures are available on our IGM Staff page located here.

What are IGM's make up policies?

We understand how busy your schedules can be and for that reason we try to be as accommodating as possible. As part of our customer service, we are happy to schedule make-ups for any class that your child misses. Please schedule make-ups through the office via phone, email, or in person. Make-ups must be completed within a month of the missed class and are offered only if availability permits. Please avoid scheduling more than one make-up per month. Refunds and discounts will not be given for missed class(es). If possible, please let us know in advance if your child cannot make it to class.

What are IGM's cancelation policies?

IGM requires a written notice of cancellation via the Drop Request Form prior to end of the month. If a notice is not received before the 25th of the previous month, your child will be re-enrolled and you will be invoiced/charged for the following month. If cancellation is received after the month begins, you will not receive credits or refunds for the remaining classes in the current month. The Drop Request document may be obtained from the IGM Office or download the above link.

How many competitions do the teams participate in within a year?

A. IGM has three different competitive teams; Rhythmic, Artistic, and Boys. Each of our team's season is at a different time of year and each team participates in a different number of competitions. Also a factor is the level of the team. Gymnastics has competitive levels 4 through 10, level 4 teams competing at the least amount of competitions, level 10s competing at the most amount. The team coach will decide on which competitions the team attends. Our coaches usually choose the meets with the best reputation for equipment and awards. The State qualifiers and State meet are chosen in advance by the State Board.

What is the difference between Rhythmic and Artistic gymnastics?

Both Rhythmic and Artistic gymnastics are international sports, governed by FIG (Federation International of Gymnastics). Even though the two forms of gymnastics share many similar attributes, they are also very distinct from one another based on events, rules and style. Both sports participate in a standardized level system that ranges from Level 1 to Level 10.

Artistic Gymnastics allows both male and female gymnasts to participate and compete. Men perform in various events that include vault, pommel horse, still rings, parallel bars, high bar and floor. While women compete in vault, balance beam, uneven bars, and floor exercise. Artistic gymnastics focuses mainly on strength, balance, and agility.

Rhythmic Gymnastics routines, on the other hand, are all performed on the floor while using various types of apparatuses. All routines are performed to music contrasting to Artistic women’s gymnastics that includes music only on the floor exercise. Rhythmic individual and group events include the following apparatuses: floor, ball, hoop, rope, clubs and ribbon. Gymnasts perform in four of the six events each year; events are rotated every two years (higher levels normally do not compete in the floor event). Rhythmic gymnastics focuses primarily on grace, dance, flexibility, and eye-hand coordination.

What is the difference between Recreational gymnastics and pre-competitive or competitive Team gymnastics programs?

Both recreational and competitive gymnastics promote fun, fitness, confidence and commitment. Although anyone can participate in recreational gymnastics, competitive gymnastics on the other hand normally requires an invitation onto the team by the team coach. Beyond the competitive element, competitive gymnastics requires a bigger time commitment compared to the once per week recreational classes. Competitive gymnasts’ time commitment to practice, compete and participate in fundraising events normally increases as they progress through the levels of gymnastics. Furthermore, team involvement usually means higher expectations of the athlete’s ability and behavior such as technical proficiency, dedication, and team work. Finally, cost also increases with higher tuition fees, competitions/travel expenses, and team uniforms. Nonetheless, team involvement may become the most significant experience in a child’s life. They learn self-discipline, group work, leadership, and good sportsmanship among many other life skills. Each individual family must decide which program to participate in based on their child’s goals, interests, and family finances.

Do you have options for private classes?

IGM offers private lessons to anyone who is interested in working with a coach one on one. Private lessons may be a perfect option for those who want to learn new skills or perfect those skills that they already know how to do or they simply want additional practice that offers lots of attention. Please contact our office staff for more informatio

Why should I choose IGM for our child's birthday party?

IGM Birthday parties include an obstacle course, fun games, free time, and time for cake and presents. Whether it is jumping on one of our trampolines, jumping into our foam pit, or seeing how fast they can finish the obstacle course, kids absolutely love being at an IGM Birthday Party.

Do I have to fill out an Open Gym waiver each time I bring my kids?

If you have an Open Gym Waiver on file, you do not have to fill out another one unless it gets updated. IGM has the right to update our forms at any time, and appreciate your patience when we do. Registration forms for classes must be filled out annually for our records and insurance purposes. Camp, parties, and event waivers must also be on file and signed.