My DS who is nearly 4 is really into jumping - head stands, breakdancing and generally being 'strong' and leaping about. (As most I suppose). I have contacted a number of gymnsatics groups because he said he would like to learn to breakdance and I thought that would be the best place for him to start learning body control. Most though seem to be full of girls and one of the teachers implied it wasn't worth him starting as most boys give it up by the age of 6/7 due to teasing at nursery.

Does anyone have any boys that do gymnastics - if so where? Do they go to just boy clubs or do they join in with the girls. I looked into a club today and the girls (there were no boys) were practicing pointing their toes and doing cartwheels. (A bit too girlie me thinks?!) Any feedback would be appreciated!
Thanks
Spoo

Yes at the local gym club. They really try hard to attract boys and run seperate classes from age 5 so that the boys can identify with the other boys. This helps avoid nerves bought on by teasing etc ad they know there is a whole class (20/30) of boys doing the same!

If your son is going to do gymnastics then he is going to have to learn the basics such as toe pointing, stretching body, holding position etc. it is not girly as such, it is required to get the shape you need to perform more advanced moves.

Our club has a very good boys gymnastics team, lads from 8ish upwards learn tumbling, asymetrical bars, horse etc. after learning the basics (cartwheels, beam and so on).

If I came across that attitude from a local gym I would play hell, the sport is supposed to inclusive - in fact any childrens activity should be inclusive! However there is little point going to the commitee and complaining if your som is going to be poushed into a class full of girls with him being the only boy. It would be useful to know if there are other boys who would like to try but have been out off by the disgusting odd attitude at the club.

Have just picked DS (very nearly 5) up from his gym club .

Am going to put him and DD to bed now but will say more about his great gym club later.

Even if he has a few episodes of teasing from his school friends re the toe pointing and ballet style tuition they all have to undergo, once he starts dating he'll thank you for it!

My DH was a boy gymnast (a very good one, national level) and grew up to be a very muscular, flexible, confidant, showoff. He used to do backflips and somersaults down the street to impress me - when we were young .

If I had DSs they would do gymnastics, (my DDs do)for the confidance, sportsmanship and discipline it gives them I really think it's worth it. Research your gym clubs carefully - go on recommendation by other parents, and check out the BAGA website.

My 16 year old has just finished gymnastics, started at 3 i think, purely because volunteers left and there was no one to coach the boys. There were about 3 girls classes to each boys one but always enough boys to make up a class.

His older sister, who was reason we started going, quit at about 10 but he kept trucking on.

None mixed sessions are vital as they don't use the same equipment and being all boys helps I found.

It's the tricky growing up stage you have to get through, my DS kept it very quiet and I would never mention it in front of friends. But now he has amazing upper body strength and is perfectly happy showing off slipping all over the place. Wish he didn't have to stop!

*flipping all over the place, the slipping wouldn't be at all impressive...

My 6yr old twin boys go to gymnastics and really enjoy it. I don't think that they have ever been teased (early days yet of course) and there are plenty of boys and girls in the classes. I have heard that they only carry on with the girls after a certain age though which thoroughly annoys me.

thank you thank you thank you. I will try harder to find a boys only session as that seems to be the best way forward. I live in Worcestershire and I think there is a good one at Wyre Forest and in Worcester though I'll need to ring up to find out more. Thanks for all the words of encouragement.
Spoo
xxx

LOL at slipping!!!

Spoke to the woman at Worcester Boys yesterday. She was very very helpful and chatted to me for a full half hour. They are only 20 mins away but specialise in boys gymnastics. THey have all the mens equipment so they get very used to it at an early age. They have 2 hour sessions for younger boys on a Saturday afternoon. SOunds a long time but she assured me that some of this is free play. Not sure quite how I fit this in as DH plays hockey in the afternoons and cannot look after DS2 but I'll find our more after Christmas.

That sounds good, two hours does sound a while but when mine were little and had just started they did lots of running about, diving in the foam pits, short activies which they rotated round in small groups etc. So they were never having to concentrate for hours. Sure he'll have a blast

Spoo - do you by any chance have a link/contact for the Wyre Forest / Worcester gym club - I have been looking for one for DS for ages

Ds1(7) has done gymnastics for ages now - he loves it, and there are quite a lot of boys there. He goes to a more 'recreational' class - so they work through the BAGA awards - he is just completing badge 2 (start at 7, go through to 1), but if you want to do more 'elite' gymnastics they train up to international level. His sessions are 45 mins on a Wednesday evening. Dd is in the same class which is great.

Shameless bump for Spoo as I would love the contact details for Worcester and/or Wyre Forest....

Stealth - sorry for delay in reply. Have just spoken to the woman at Wyre Forest who was incredibly rude. She says the only session for pre-schoolers is on a Wednesday lunchtime in Kiddi. I said I couldn't do that. She said she had over 100 on the waiting list for the main class!! and they had to be over 5. It is so frustrating!!!! Where are you based? How old is your DS??

So Worcester Boys sounds better? DS is just 6 but a waiting list of 100 is ludicrous. Kiddi and Worcester about the same distance for us.

Again sorry for delay - I get very little chance to get on the computer! I am hoping Worcester Boys turns out good. They are based in Inkberrow which isn't as far as worcester but is still a good 20 mins for me I think. A search on google and you can get their number.

If anyone reading this is close to Cardiff then I suggest they check out Tiddywinks Gym in ...um...Splott (but don't hold that against it!). It's owned and by an ex colleague of mine who happens to also be a commonwealth gymnast and dad of 2 boys. We went for 2 yrs but then I emigrated. He now runs parents classes too as parents wanted to play teh equipment!