Artistic Gymnastics
Midwest provides the highest quality instruction to athletes of all ages and abilities.
Gymnastics is a sport for kids who want to build strength, balance, confidence, and discipline. The strength and balance developed in gymnastics will translate to improved performance in any other sport your child may wish to participate in.
We base our recreation programming on fun, fitness and fundamentals. Recreational Gymnastics consists of training on the bar, balance beam, vault, floor, rings, and parallel bars. We take great care to teach gymnastics skills in a thorough and progressive manner insuring safe and continual progress. Through the acquisition of gymnastics skills, our goal is to help develop a positive self-image and self-confidence in every student. Our class structure is based on USA Gymnastics' Skill Level foundation that have requirements for each level.
There are four events in women’s gymnastics: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.
There are four events in women’s gymnastics.
Vault
A successful vault begins with a strong, accelerated run. The best vaulters explode off the board with tremendous quickness during the preflight phase of the vault. When the gymnast pushes off the vault table, the judges are looking for proper body position and an instantaneous repulsion. Watch for the height and distance traveled, as well as the number of flips and twists. Gymnasts strive to “stick” their landings by taking no extra steps.
Uneven Bars
The uneven bars demand strength, as well as concentration, courage, coordination and split-second timing. Watch for the big swings that begin in handstands on the high bar, incorporating multiple hand changes, pirouettes and release elements. The entire routine should flow from one skill to the next without pauses, extra swings or additional supports. Watch for the high flying dismount where the gymnast will attempt to stick her landing.
Balance Beam
The beam is only four inches wide and considered the most difficult event by many gymnasts. The gymnast must use acrobatic, tumbling and dance movements in her routine. Watch for acrobatic series consisting of two or more elements performed in a row. The overall execution should give the impression that the gymnast is performing on the floor, not on a beam. Watch for variations in rhythm, changes in level, and the harmonious blend of dance and acrobatic elements.
Floor Exercise
The floor routine must be choreographed to music and cover the entire floor area. The gymnast must use a variety of dance and tumbling elements which reflect her personality. Most gymnasts at the international level will do four tumbling passes, changing both the direction and level of movement throughout the routine. Watch for powerful, yet graceful, routines that are fun and exciting.
Vault
A successful vault begins with a strong, accelerated run. The best vaulters explode off the board with tremendous quickness during the preflight phase of the vault. When the gymnast pushes off the vault table, the judges are looking for proper body position and an instantaneous repulsion. Watch for the height and distance traveled, as well as the number of flips and twists. Gymnasts strive to “stick” their landings by taking no extra steps.
Uneven Bars
The uneven bars demand strength, as well as concentration, courage, coordination and split-second timing. Watch for the big swings that begin in handstands on the high bar, incorporating multiple hand changes, pirouettes and release elements. The entire routine should flow from one skill to the next without pauses, extra swings or additional supports. Watch for the high flying dismount where the gymnast will attempt to stick her landing.
Balance Beam
The beam is only four inches wide and considered the most difficult event by many gymnasts. The gymnast must use acrobatic, tumbling and dance movements in her routine. Watch for acrobatic series consisting of two or more elements performed in a row. The overall execution should give the impression that the gymnast is performing on the floor, not on a beam. Watch for variations in rhythm, changes in level, and the harmonious blend of dance and acrobatic elements.
Floor Exercise
The floor routine must be choreographed to music and cover the entire floor area. The gymnast must use a variety of dance and tumbling elements which reflect her personality. Most gymnasts at the international level will do four tumbling passes, changing both the direction and level of movement throughout the routine. Watch for powerful, yet graceful, routines that are fun and exciting.
Learn Gymnastics at Midwest
Midwest offers a variety of recreational and competitive artistic gymnastics programs. For info on our competitive programs, please visit our USAG Artistic Gymnastics page. Our Mommy & Me classes begin at 18 months, Preschool Gymnastics ages 3-5, and Beginner level classes ages 6 & up!
Learn Gymnastics at Midwest
Midwest offers a variety of recreational and competitive artistic gymnastics programs. For info on our competitive programs, please visit our USAG Artistic Gymnastics page. Our Mommy & Me classes begin at 18 months, Preschool Gymnastics ages 3-5, and Beginner level classes ages 6 & up!
Mommy & Me Gymnastics
Girls & Boys | Ages 1.5-3yrs
Our Mommy & Me class is designed for ages 18 to 39 months This playful parent/baby class is centered around age-appropriate developmental movements using special tot-sized apparatus. Strong emphasis is given to socialization skills and group involvement. Classes are 45 minutes long.
Preschool Gymnastics
Girls & Boys | Ages 3-5yrs
Our preschool program provides a strong foundation in the basis of physical movement through the medium of gymnastics. Children are introduced to the gymnastics apparatus in a physically challenging, playful environment which encourages learning, development and fun. Children learn how to deal with physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of childhood in a stimulating setting. Fun and creative play is nurtured as the fundamentals of motor skill development are stressed during the activities. Our student/teacher ratio remains small ensuring personal attention and safety. This is the perfect athletic complement or alternative to Hot Shots. Learning coordination and balance are key components of our preschool classes.
Hot Shots
Girls & Boys | Ages 3-5yrs
Our Hot Shots class is an ideal placement for the student looking to refine their basic gymnastics skills, and receive a more formal introduction to the sport of gymnastics. Rolls, cartwheels and handstands will be perfected while learning the progressions on all apparatus.
Mommy & Me Gymnastics
Girls & Boys | Ages 1.5-3yrs
Our Mommy & Me class is designed for ages 18 to 39 months This playful parent/baby class is centered around age-appropriate developmental movements using special tot-sized apparatus. Strong emphasis is given to socialization skills and group involvement. Classes are 45 minutes long.
Preschool Gymnastics
Girls & Boys | Ages 3-5yrs
Our preschool program provides a strong foundation in the basis of physical movement through the medium of gymnastics. Children are introduced to the gymnastics apparatus in a physically challenging, playful environment which encourages learning, development and fun. Children learn how to deal with physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of childhood in a stimulating setting. Fun and creative play is nurtured as the fundamentals of motor skill development are stressed during the activities.
Our student/teacher ratio remains small ensuring personal attention and safety. This is the perfect athletic complement or alternative to Hot Shots. Learning coordination and balance are key components of our preschool classes.
Hot Shots
Girls & Boys | Ages 3-5yrs
Our Hot Shots class is an ideal placement for the student looking to refine their basic gymnastics skills, and receive a more formal introduction to the sport of gymnastics. Rolls, cartwheels and handstands will be perfected while learning the progressions on all apparatus.
Beginner Gymnastics
Girls & Boys: Ages 6 & Up
Children begin to learn basic gymnastics skills at each event. As children improve they move to higher levels with new challenges.
Students gain experience in the four traditional gymnastics events (vault, bars, beam, & floor) and the tumble track. Emphasis is placed on learning skills in a fun, active and safe way in an effort to boost the student''s confidence and overall achievement in the sport - or any sport attempted after.
Advanced Gymnastics
Girls & Boys: Ages 6 & Up
Registration by invite only
After mastering Beginner Gymnastics, students progress to Advanced Gymnastics. In this class, students work on a more advanced set of skills in the same fun, active and safe way they loved from their beginner class. Overall strength, balance and agility should continue to improve while students gain further experience on the vault, bars, beam, floor, and tumble track.
Masters Gymnastics
Girls & Boys: Ages 6 & Up
Registration by invite only
Once graduating from Advanced Gymnastics, our students in Masters are required to attend 2x a week. Students will attend one Masters class and one Advanced class. This class is to help kids decide if they are interested in joining our competitive team and also for students that love the sport and want to continue learning skills.
Beginner Gymnastics
Girls & Boys: Ages 6 & Up
Children begin to learn basic gymnastics skills at each event. As children improve they move to higher levels with new challenges.
Students gain experience in the four traditional gymnastics events (vault, bars, beam, & floor) and the tumble track. Emphasis is placed on learning skills in a fun, active and safe way in an effort to boost the student''s confidence and overall achievement in the sport - or any sport attempted after.
Advanced Gymnastics
Girls & Boys: Ages 6 & Up
Registration by invite only
After mastering Beginner Gymnastics, students progress to Advanced Gymnastics. In this class, students work on a more advanced set of skills in the same fun, active and safe way they loved from their beginner class. Overall strength, balance and agility should continue to improve while students gain further experience on the vault, bars, beam, floor, and tumble track.
Masters Gymnastics
Girls & Boys: Ages 6 & Up
Registration by invite only
Once graduating from Advanced Gymnastics, our students in Masters are required to attend 2x a week. Students will attend one Masters class and one Advanced class. This class is to help kids decide if they are interested in joining our competitive team and also for students that love the sport and want to continue learning skills.
Boys/Mens Gymnastics
In addition to our co-ed preschool gym classes, we also offer a designated Boys Preschool & Boys Homeschool Gymnastics class. Students learn skills for all six events within the Boys Gymnastics program. This class is one hour long and meets once a week.
Boys/Mens Gymnastics
In addition to our co-ed preschool gym classes, we also offer a designated Boys Preschool & Boys Homeschool Gymnastics class. Students learn skills for all six events within the Boys Gymnastics program. This class is one hour long and meets once a week.
There are six events in men's gymnastics: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar.
There are six events in men's gymnastics.
Floor Exercise
Floor routines consist of dynamic tumbling skills. The best gymnasts will incorporate tumbling passes with multiple twisting and flipping, both forward and backward, throughout their routine. A gymnast must show power and control on this event.
Pommel Horse
Each move on the pommel horse is defined by complex hand placements. The gymnast must perform continuous circular movements interrupted only by the required scissors elements. The entire exercise should flow with controlled rhythm. A gymnast must show precise timing and balance throughout the routine.
Still Rings
Just as its name suggests, the rings must be kept still while the gymnast is performing. There are two types of moves on the rings: strength positions and swing movements. Those with the best command of the event will display extraordinary skill in arriving at all required “holds” with absolute precision.
Vault
Each vault is categorized in the Code of Points, the official rulebook giving the relevant value of each skill performed. A good vault is sometimes described as a “big” vault. The more twists and flips in the “post” flight, the more difficult the vault. The height, the distance of travel, the overall acceleration into the vault and the sudden impact of a no-step, “stuck” landing all create a good impression for the judges.
Parallel Bars
A parallel bar routine consists of predominantly longhand swing, support and flight elements, which move above and below the bars. Watch for the gymnast to execute swing elements and skills in which both hands release and regrasp the bars. Some gymnasts move outside the two rails, performing press handstands and pirouettes on only one bar.
Horizontal Bar
This event is also known as the high bar. Routines consist exclusively of swinging parts without stops. The parts are generally called giant swings, with more specific terms applying to changes in grip, direction and body position. Watch for the gymnast to execute release moves. Look for high-flying dismounts with multiple flips and twists and, of course, the gymnast aims to land the dismount with no extra steps.
Floor Exercise
Floor routines consist of dynamic tumbling skills. The best gymnasts will incorporate tumbling passes with multiple twisting and flipping, both forward and backward, throughout their routine. A gymnast must show power and control on this event.
Pommel Horse
Each move on the pommel horse is defined by complex hand placements. The gymnast must perform continuous circular movements interrupted only by the required scissors elements. The entire exercise should flow with controlled rhythm. A gymnast must show precise timing and balance throughout the routine.
Still Rings
Just as its name suggests, the rings must be kept still while the gymnast is performing. There are two types of moves on the rings: strength positions and swing movements. Those with the best command of the event will display extraordinary skill in arriving at all required “holds” with absolute precision.
Vault
Each vault is categorized in the Code of Points, the official rulebook giving the relevant value of each skill performed. A good vault is sometimes described as a “big” vault. The more twists and flips in the “post” flight, the more difficult the vault. The height, the distance of travel, the overall acceleration into the vault and the sudden impact of a no-step, “stuck” landing all create a good impression for the judges.
Parallel Bars
A parallel bar routine consists of predominantly longhand swing, support and flight elements, which move above and below the bars. Watch for the gymnast to execute swing elements and skills in which both hands release and regrasp the bars. Some gymnasts move outside the two rails, performing press handstands and pirouettes on only one bar.
Horizontal Bar
This event is also known as the high bar. Routines consist exclusively of swinging parts without stops. The parts are generally called giant swings, with more specific terms applying to changes in grip, direction and body position. Watch for the gymnast to execute release moves. Look for high-flying dismounts with multiple flips and twists and, of course, the gymnast aims to land the dismount with no extra steps.