Questions for parents of gymnasts

[Mom21]

I believe we have quite a few parents of gymnasts on this board so that is why I am asking here.

1. Can you give me a progression of levels and what age your dd was at each level.

DD is 7 and Level 3. She just made the team (Level 2) in April, but they moved her quickly to Level 3.

2. What is an average for competition fees?

Everyone I ask just keeps saying "A lot" but a lot to one person is not a lot to another. I am making up my fall budget and want to plan monthly.

3. How much do you pay monthly?

DD is $225 at her level.

4. How many hours did/does your child practice at each level she has been/is on?

For dd Level 2---2 hours/day for 3 days a week
Level 3--3 hours/day 2 days a week
Right now for summer---4 hours/day 2 days a week

5 On average how many competitions per season did your child participate in per level?

I believe dd will do 4-5 this competition season.

6. Is your dd constantly complaining about aches and pains?

My dd is and this concerns me greatly. I actually started her diving last fall in hopes that she would give up the gym and concentrate on dive as I felt it would be less taxing on her little, growing body. No such luck. Now she loves both--SIGH.

7. For those that have given up the competition, at what age did your dd burn out?


Thanks for all help and input. These questions have been concerning me lately.

 

[KimR]

Originally posted by Mom21
I believe we have quite a few parents of gymnasts on this board so that is why I am asking here.

1. Can you give me a progression of levels and what age your dd was at each level.

DD12 started competing (level 4) at 9 years old. SHe is 12 now and is in level 5; she'd probably be in level 6 but is having to repeat the level due to injuries/illness. DD6 is in level 2 (preteam - our gym does not compete until level 4).


2. What is an average for competition fees?

We pay around $1500 a year. This probably includes more than just competition fees (ie coach's travel expenses, team parties,etc.), but that is the total we pay into our accounts, I don't have the breakdown. However, this does not include our own travel expenses to meets.

3. How much do you pay monthly? For the two of them, it is around $425 a month. $225 a month sounds about right for your DD's level

4. How many hours did/does your child practice at each level she has been/is on?

DD12 practices 4 hours a day 4 days a week. DD7 practices 2 hours a day 2 days a week.

5 On average how many competitions per season did your child participate in per level?

We have 5 competitions plus state.

6. Is your dd constantly complaining about aches and pains?

YES!!! (see #1 above). It is inevitable. This year we have dealt with sever's disease and a stress fracture. I don't think there is a single girl on the team who has not had injuries or aches/pains.

7. For those that have given up the competition, at what age did your dd burn out? N/A so far...they love it!


Hope this helps. Competition is a lot of fun! Our season starts in a few months (if we can get DD back to speed). I can't wait!

 

[shelbyjosh]

I am not a parent of a gymnast, but of figure skater. There is a book out there that may be of interest to you. It is called "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes". It is about skaters and gymnasts. I would say it is about 75% gymnastic-oriented. What these coaches make the girls go through. Threatening them to stay thin. Making them compete with injuries.

DD skates 4 hrs a day 3 days a week. I could only wish my expense was $225 a month. Try doubling that!! I must say that her body does not take the beating of a gymnast. She does off-ice training and ballet during the previously mentioned schedule also.

Good luck to your daughter and I hope she has a healthy and lucky competitive season!!

 

[bcvprincesses]

1. Can you give me a progression of levels and what age your dd was at each level.

My 7 year old is a level 5 and my 5 year old is a level 4. She will have to do level 4 again next year because you have to be 7 to do level 5.


2. What is an average for competition fees?

Our fees last year were about $600 for competition and coaches fees. That was for 6 meets. We have many fundraisers that we are able to participate in durning the year. We also had to buy leos ($50 and $125), warm up suit ($125) and a bag ($25).

3. How much do you pay monthly?

I will be paying $225 a month for both girls.


4. How many hours did/does your child practice at each level she has been/is on?

level 4 is 10 hours a week one day 4 hours and two days 3 hours

Level 5 is 12 hours three days for 4 hours

When school starts they add an extra 1 hour a week for dance that is included.

5 On average how many competitions per season did your child participate in per level?

level 4 was 6 and level 5 was 9

6. Is your dd constantly complaining about aches and pains?

No complaints here. They would both live at the gym

 

[kasar]

Wow! Gymnastics is expensive, huh?

Glad we stuck with softball and soccer.

 

[missypie]

My 8 year old is a new Level 5 (she competed as a Level 4 last year). I don't think she'll have all her routines down in time for the first competition in late August. They do about 5 competitons each fall and spring, plus in the fall, regionals, state, etc.

As a Level 4 she practiced 3 times a week for 2 hours each time. As a Level 5 she practices 3 times a week for 3 hours each time. (She says the time flies by.) When she bumps up she'll add a day (3 more hours).

I've never figured up the cost per year. I do know that we just put a deposit down on new leos and warm ups...$200!