If your daughter wants to start gymnastics...

[missypie]

If your daughter is watching gymnastics on TV and now wants to become a gymnast, I thought I'd pass on this little tidbit: Yesterday we got the bill for DD's competition leotard and warmups: $327. $327 for an 8 year old's tiny leo and warm ups. Amazing! (But the leo IS just beautiful.)

 

[tmq2766]

Yeah it is freightning how much they soak the parents for these outfits... DD9 is a figure skater and that is WAY WAY expensive! Just the skates alone right now are a bit over $300.00. Why didn't she choose soccer? would have saved me some serious bucks. hehe

 

[Az Pirates]

Wow, that IS a lot.
We paid $265 this year and that got us:

Warmup jacket & pants
Competition leo
Warmup leo
Team bag

Won't even start on how much it is for meet fees and travel expenses.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Thanks for the heads up!! DD 8 just the past few days has been bugging me to take gymnastics....and yes, it is because she has been watching the Olympics!!

 

[Kimberle]

Irish dance is popular around here. I know parents who spend thousands on costumes and travel. One friend has taken her dd to Canada and Ireland to compete.

 

[missypie]

We are fortunate in the travel aspect. We are in a large metropolitan area, so at least at DD's level we almost never have to travel out of the area.

 

[Chicago526]

Yeah, I got the "bug" after watching Mary Lou in '84. Before shelling out the big bucks, my mom just signed my up for a beginners class though the park district. A regular leo from Penney's and bare feet were all they required, so it was cheap. I had fun, but decided it wasn't for me. I did socer like my brothers instead.

If you little girl (or boy) is bugging you to try it, see if there is a program through your park district that will introduce them to the sport. If they show real tallent and love it, then do the big $$$ programs.

 

[KimR]

missypie, that's about how much our leos and warmups run as well. I've got one child in competition, one on pre-team, and one in the tots class. All together, we spend about 8K a year on gymnastics - that's a trip to WDW! We spend so much time at the gym I keep waiting for them to start sending me a bill for rent!

 

[missypie]

KimR, all I do is pick up...they don't let the parents sit and watch the competition teams practice. I've never added up how much I spend on any kid's activity...I just pay as I go...don't think I'd want to know the total.

 

[jrmasm]

Why didn't she choose soccer? would have saved me some serious bucks.

Wow. I guess you haven't seen any club soccer monthly statements.

 

[ZachnElli]

Before you scare everyone away , those of us with average kids just learning to do a cartwheel, you can get your leotards at Target!

 

[missypie]

You're right...we went through a lot of Target leos before we got to this stage.

 

[HollyJoy]

Both my girls take gymnastics, but aren't in the competitive field. I feel I must say that only the competitive field gets overly expensive. My girls just take lessons, and they can wear a regular dance leotard... about $10 at Target.

 

[DemonLlama]

Ours is from Dreamlight, and is $110 this year. With that and the $300 competition fees, I'm very grateful we aren't ordering warm-ups from a leo company!

Here is this season's pick from the catalog:
<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-6/253829/leo.jpg" width=200 height=400>


Now here's the rub -- we don't get the sleeves! She is L4, so they can choose sleeves or tank, and we are going with the tank in this style. For $110?? And we're on the bottom rung of $$ in gymnastics, not to mention the monthly tuition. Oyy.

Here was last year's L4 (yes, our gym likes for them to do two years of L4!) from GK (price $90)
<img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-6/253829/samflooractionshot.jpg" width=261 height=319>

I'd love to see other DISers overpriced 1/2 yards of material if you've got photos!

(BTW, you can buy the expensive GK, Alpha Factor, Dreamlight, Jam Wear, etc leotards on ebay for $10-$15 in like new condition.)

 

[missypie]

Of course you can buy the expensive leos on ebay for almost nothing! DD's competition leo last year was beautiful (they change every two years but she started competing last year so she only wore it one year) and it is in perfect condition and she'll never wear it again...what do you do with the things?! (Of course, we have a closet full of dance recital costumes [3 kids for 5 years each]), so a tiny leo is the least of my unworn expensive stuff problem.)