Calgary Gymnastics Centre -- Active Start

If you’re a parent, you know that kids are little sponges, soaking in the world and all it has to offer. Of course, that applies to how physically active those energetic little monkeys are, too! People talk about physical literacy — a picturesque phrase related to the confidence and physical competence to engage in physical activities — and it’s exciting to watch little ones start their journey. Gymnastics is all about physical literacy, as strength, coordination, flexibility, and body awareness are all central to the sport of gymnastics, making it a great all-around activity. This fall, give your children, ages 6 and under, an ‘Active Start‘ with the excellent programming at the Calgary Gymnastics Centre.

The Calgary Gymnastics Centre is the largest gymnastics facility in Calgary and they have tons of fall programs for every age and ability. With two locations to choose from, in Canada Olympic Park and on Country Hills Blvd, the Calgary Gymnastics Centre is fun for the kids and convenient for the parents. No matter their ability, children will enjoy the variety of activities, being encouraged by an experienced, safety-first coach.

For the 2022 – 2023 gymnastics season, anyone ages 6 months and up can jump, roll, and have fun challenging their bodies in interesting ways! There are amazing options at the Calgary Gymnastics Centre, with parented classes from 6 months to age 3 and unparented classes for kids ages 3 and up.

Parented Classes

Babynastics: Infants from 6 – 20 months

The new Babynastics class encourages infants and toddlers to learn new skills and activities in a stimulating and fun environment. Busy crawlers and walkers will enjoy moving through colourful tunnels, climbing up tiny mountains, sliding down not-so-steep slopes and flipping over age-appropriate obstacle courses during this fun-packed, 45-minute class. Each class consists of interactive songs, structured and free exploration circuits, magical bubbles, and parachute games. Soft gym equipment and stimulating props will help your children to use their senses and experience different ways to move and shake their little bodies. With their endless curiosity at this age, each new activity will help them gain strength, balance, coordination, and better muscle control. With their parent’s uninterrupted attention, this class is sure to be the highlight of their day!

Gym Mites: Toddlers from 18 months to 2.5 years

Each day is a new discovery in this fun-filled class. Your coach will lead you and your child through the basics of gymnastics in a variety of activities and circuits. As a team, you will work towards accomplishing the skills in the circuits, as well as taking direction in a group setting. The coaches recognize that this may be the first structured group activity for children of this age. They are there to support and guide you with techniques on how to safely assist your child while keeping them active and engaged. Music, games, balls, ribbons, parachutes, and other interactive activities are all included.

Gym-A-Tot: Children from 2 years to 3.5 years

This structured class is cheerful and fun and will help your child’s coordination and confidence grow. With the assistance of an adult, your child will experience a great variety of gymnastics equipment. The unique circuits are changed each week to follow a theme, and they work towards accomplishing an age-appropriate skill (balances, forward rolls, mini handstands and more). The class works on developing their skills while a parent is nearby for encouragement. Through the use of manipulative objects such as balls, hoops, ribbons and beanbags, your child will begin to develop rhythm, fine motor, and listening skills.

Unparented Classes

Hot Shots: Children from 3 – 4.5 years

This action-packed class sets the stage for an active start and a fun time. Through the use of exciting, theme-oriented circuits, children will learn to become independent from their grownups. This challenging setting is a fantastic transition class and will introduce many life skills, including listening to directions, forming a line, taking turns, and more. Proper gymnastics terminology will be taught as children learn the Skill of the Week. These will be taught and reviewed through the use of visual aids, songs, and demonstrations. In this class, every child will succeed no matter how small or large the discovery. Calgary Gym Centre encourages children that are new to the program and are 3 – 3 ½ years old to try a Gym-A-Tot class first.

KinderGym: Children from 5 – 6.5 years

This program offers an advanced learning experience based on individual skill sets. Cardiovascular and muscular endurance, plus flexibility and strength, are incorporated. KinderGym classes also incorporate various elements of the CanGym Program. The sport of gymnastics offers excellent benefits to your child. Through the Calgary Gymnastics Centre’s safe, fun, and progressive gymnastics classes, students develop and continually improve their strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and self-esteem. They implement the fundamental movement patterns of landings, locomotions, rotations, statics, springs, and swings into the lesson plans. Kindergarten readiness skills are an added feature of all classes.

Gymnastics is a wonderful way to stay active and get fit while having fun! If your kids fall in love with gymnastics this fall, they can continue to advance and progress with the Calgary Gymnastics Centre. This fall, it’s time to conquer the playground!