This class introduces the building blocks of gymnastics to the younger gymnasts. Coaches focus on helping children to gain confidence working with the new equipment and develop skills which help them transition into the Youngsters Class where these are further built upon.
Here gymnasts begin to learn slightly more complex basics and are also challenged with some harder skills. This is the class where the Rainbow Award is introduced and is worked towards weekly - forming part of session plans. The class is slightly longer to ease gymnasts into the training (particularly for those who want to take their gymnastics experience to the next level).
Gymnastics for the older children, they work towards their last badges where more skills are invloved. we introduce acro with them which is balances with or with or with out a partner, this in the higher classes children learn more difficult skills such as round off-back tucks and back handsprings.
Gymnastics at SwimGym
SwimGym has developed its own award scheme which children from the age of 5+ works towards weekly. It covers a range of skills for the pieces in the gym - beam, vault and floor (some elements also make use of the wall bars available to gymnasts). Children are put into small groups where they are led around the gym onto different pieces and taught things from walking on a beam to round-off tuck backs on floor and trampette. Our coaches create a safe and friendly environment for learning and encourage the gymnasts in their development not only in gymnastics, but for helping them to learn to work in groups. Each group is led by a well trained coach with many year's coaching experience and/or British Gymnastics coaching qualifications. These coaches are aided by assistant coaches who help to teach the children as well as develop themselves as coaches.
Tots Class (3-5)
Youngsters Class (5-9)
Juniors Class (9+)
-
SwimGym devised its own award scheme which encourages the progressive development of gymnasts and gives them something to work towards. They work from Red through to Purple which all incorporate various equipment into them. After completing each level, gymnasts will be presented with a certificate and are offered the opportunity to buy a SwimGym Rainbow Award badge which can be sewn into various items such as leotards or bags.
-
Throughout the term many sessions are spent working skills and towards the Rainbow Award, however certain sessions will be dedicated to varying activities. Sometimes there is a conditioning week during which gymnasts are taught exercises that help them strengthens muscles which are needed for gymnastics moves. For the older classes, this will be followed by 'acro' in which gymnasts work together to practice pair or group balances as well as individual balances.
​
​
-
Some weeks may be 'sequences' which gives the Youngsters Class and Junior Class a chance to work in small groups to put together small routines. Parents and Carers are then invited in towards the end so they can see the routines their child or children have created.
​
​
-
At the end of each each term the children finish up with a games session. This gives the children a break from the intense nature of training skills and eases them into the holiday. All of the classes take part in games and they are well enjoyed by the children. We encourage gymnasts to come with their own ideas of games - often coaches get involved too!