Gymnastics in Regina

Gymnastics is one of the most popular extracurricular activities for preschool children in Regina.

Included in this post is:

• The youngest age that your child can enroll in gymnastics
• The benefits of gymnastics for toddlers and preschoolers
• How to prepare your child when introducing them to gymnastics in Regina

Let’s jump right in.

Frequently asked questions about gymnastics in Regina

What is gymnastics?

Gymnastics is a sport that involves using a combination of physical strength, flexibility, and balance, to coordinate body movements. Gymnastics classes help your child to learn basic body movements in a fun and playful environment.

What is the youngest age that you can start gymnastics in Regina?

Some gymnastics gyms in Regina have programs for children of all ages so long as your child can walk. Examples include:

• Gymnastics Adventure studio
• Queen city gymnastics club

However, most gymnastics clubs only accept children that are at least 3 years old. Children at this age are better able to follow instructions and engage in structured activities.

How are gymnastics classes taught in Regina?

Gymnastics instructors use a combination of demonstration, encouragement, and hands-on assistance to guide a child’s body through movements while helping them balance and providing physical support.

Typically, gymnastics classes start for children aged 3 and above because children at this age are better able to follow instructions and engage in structured activities.

What are the benefits of gymnastics for children in Regina?

1. Group gymnastics classes provide opportunities for social interaction and cooperation
2. Confidence and self-esteem building can occur through gymnastics as your child masters new skills and becomes increasingly confident in their abilities
3. Gymnastics exercises contribute to the development of physical strength and flexibility in young children
4. The improvements in body coordination that gymnastics provides can help your child in other sports that they pursue later on
5. Gymnastics exercises show children that they are capable of doing much more than they thought possible. For example, when children get older, one of the gymnastics skills that they learn is the ability to do a handstand and walk on their hands. For a child that has only ever used their legs to walk, this is a powerful demonstration that shows them that they are capable of doing more than they thought possible.

Gymnastics programs in Regina

Gymnastics programs in Regina can be broken down as follows:

1. Recreational gymnastics
2. Competitive gymnastics
3. Acrobatic gymnastics (also known as “acro” gymnastics)
4. Trampoline and tumbling
5. Artistic gymnastics

Recreational gymnastics

Recreational gymnastics provides a non-competitive environment for individuals of various ages to engage in gymnastics activities for enjoyment, fitness, and skill development.

The emphasis is on fostering a love for movement, coordination, and gymnastics skills without the intensity and structure of competitive programs.

Competitive gymnastics

Competitive gymnastics is a goal-oriented approach for gymnastics training and performance where athletes dedicate themselves to developing specific skills and routines with the aim of participating in competitions.

Acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastics teaches gymnasts to work collaboratively to perform group gymnastics routines. 

Trampoline gymnastics

Trampoline gymnastics focuses on skills performed on trampolines. Examples include aerial movements such as flips and twists made while jumping on a trampoline.

Tumbling gymnastics

Tumbling gymnastics introduces children to gymnastics through simple skills such as forward rolls where children learn to roll forward by tucking their chin to their chest and making a 360 degree roll forward.

Artistic gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics stands out for its combination of strength, flexibility, power, and artistic expression. It involves performing routines on various apparatus for both men and women. Distinct apparatus include the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise for women. Men perform on floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. Artistic gymnastics showcases a blend of technical precision and artistic creativity within individual routines.

Preschool gymnastics programs

Preschool gymnastics registration typically costs between $150 to $250 for anywhere between 12 to 15 weeks of classes.

Most preschool gymnastics programs are a combination of recreational gymnastics and tumbling. Some of the basic skills you’ll find in gymnastics classes for toddlers and preschoolers include:

1. Forward rolls: Children learn to roll forward by tucking their chin to their chest and making a 360 degree roll forward
2. Sideways rolls: Children lie flat and make complete 360 degree sideways rolls using their shoulders and hips
3. Standing balance: This typically includes balancing while standing on one foot or balancing on a narrow beam while standing on both feet
4. Walking in a straight line to improve coordination and balance
5. Jumping, stretching, and learning basic gymnastics positions such as the tuck position (bringing the knees to the chest while maintaining a tucked position) and pike position (bending at the hips while keeping the legs straight)

In preschool gymnastics classes, you’ll typically find children working with a gymnastics coach in either a recreational gym or a fenced indoor gymnastics playground. You will also find play structures that encourage children to climb, tumble, and slide.

Preparing your toddler or preschooler for gymnastics

The best way to introduce your preschooler or toddler to gymnastics is by visiting a gymnastics gym with your child.

Visiting a gymnastics club allows both you and your child to:

1. Observe ongoing classes to better understand what to expect from gymnastics registration
2. Meet gymnastics coaches in person and ask questions as well as get advice regarding your child’s gymnastics enrollment

Additionally, visiting a gymnastics club exposes your child to the environment where classes will take place.

For preschoolers and toddlers that have enrolled in a daycare in Regina, adjusting to a new gymnastics studio may be easier since it will not be the first time that the child has had to be separated from their parents.