Class Information

Durango Gymnastics offers many recreational gymnastics classes for school-aged children. Basic gymnastics skills are taught progressively to eventually lead up to the competitive team. Each child will move through the levels at their own pace, often times repeating the same level for multiple sessions until skill requirements are met.

Coed Classes

Tumble and Trampoline  Age 6 - 15  There are three levels of our Tumble and Trampoline class. All levels will focus on tumbling skills and trampoline only. Skills will be taught on floor, rod floor, tumble track, vault, and trampoline. There will be extra focus on flips but other skills will be required for well rounded development. This is not an open gym, and students are expected to behave and follow instructions from the coach. Skills of focus: Beginner: Rolls, cartwheels, handstands, trampoline control, etiquette, and safety; Intermediate: round-offs, beginning flips and flip concepts, beginning handsprings, trampoline control and safety; Advanced: flips without assistance, twisting flips, handsprings, increased upper body strength, control and safety.

Girls Gymnastics

Beginner Girls  Age 5 - 7  The first level for girls in recreational classes, children begin to learn the fundamentals of gymnastics with proper form and technique. No previous gymnastics experience is required, although some students may have previous gymnastics experience. In this class we introduce event specific skills within the four main women artistic gymnastics events; Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise. Skills of focus include:  beginning concepts of cartwheels, handstands, walking on balance beams, upper body and core strength, flexibility, and proper landing positions.

Girls Gymnastics Age 11+  This introductory class is geared towards girls with a variety of gymnastics experience, and are more developmentally and emotionally mature than that of our Beginner Girls classes. Each class will be catered to the overall skill level and ability of the class, with  specific attention given to individuals on personal growth. Skills of focus: Cartwheels, Handstands, Round-off’s, Pull overs, various walks (forwards, backwards, relevé, etc) on balance beam, upper body and core strength, flexibility, and beginning stages of flips and handsprings.

Advanced Girls  Age 6 - 15  As the last level before competition team, Advanced Girls are introduced to the progressions for beginning team skills and drilled on proper body position and technique. The performance element of the sport increases in importance, emphasizing proper positions to cultivate successful skill development into competitive levels. Gymnasts must have coaches approval to progress into this class. Classes meet twice per week to maintain more difficult skills. Skills of focus: Handstand holds without assistance, perfected cartwheels,  inversions and jumps on balance beam, pull over and hip circles on bars, proper vault technique, body control and awareness, increased strength and flexibility.

CARA Level 2 This is the first level that introduces gymnasts to the competitive side of gymnastics. Gymnasts can travel with the competition team and demonstrate skills and routines learned throughout the year. Gymnasts will perform in front of judges for a score, and receive awards based on performance scoring. This level requires more commitment than the casual attendance throughout the year. 

Beginner Girls  Age 8 - 10   This introductory level to gymnastics is similar to Beginner Girls, but geared more towards girls who wish to be in class with a more fitting age cohort. Expectations on focus and work ethic  are raised as the overall maturity of the class is more advanced. Skills of focus include:  beginning concepts of cartwheels, handstands, walking on balance beams, upper body and core strength, flexibility, and proper landing positions.

Intermediate Girls  Age 6 - 15  As Intermediate Girls, gymnasts begin to progress beyond the basics and start to master slightly more difficult skills. The technique learned in the Beginner’s classes is expected to transfer into their harder skills. Very little assistance is given, and proper form is expected on skills to consider them “mastered”. A certain amount of internal work ethic is expected and cultivated in this level, and gymnasts often come twice a week to maintain more difficult skills, although it is not required. Gymnasts must have coaches approval to progress into this class. Skills of focus: Cartwheels, Handstands, various dance elements, beginning inversions on balance beam, pullovers on bars, upper body and core strength, and understanding basic vaulting concepts 

Hot Shots Age 4 - 6  The Hot Shots class is the first level of classes we offer for girls ages 4-6, that is created to focus more on the progressions to move towards the competition team slightly quicker than that of our other recreational classes. These classes require a greater attention span and focus, are more advanced, and will learn more skills within one level. A coach recommendation and a competitive goal is required to move into this class. Class meets twice per week. Skills of focus: Beginning concepts of Cartwheels, Handstands, rolls forwards and backwards, Pull overs on bars, various walks and beginning inversions on balance beam, basic vault concepts, and increased strength and flexibility.

Stars Age 5 - 7  The second and final level before competition team, for girls ages 5-7, within the progressive series of classes for girls. This class focuses on all the skills, technique, and form required for the first level of competition team. Class meets twice per week. Skills of  focus: Cartwheels, Handstand rolls, Bridges, Round offs, Pull overs and circling elements on bars, inversions and dance skills on balance beam, advanced vault skills, and increased strength, flexibility, skill memorization and focus.

Boys Gymnastics

Beginner Boys  Age 5 - 7  The first level for boys in recreational classes, children begin to learn the fundamentals of gymnastics with proper form and technique. No previous gymnastics experience is required, although some students may have previous gymnastics experience. In this class we introduce event specific skills within the six men's artistic gymnastics events; Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars, and High Bar. A certain level of focus and behavior is expected. Skills of focus: cartwheels, handstands, rolls, upper body and core strength, flexibility, proper hand placement for pommel horse and rings, and proper landing positions 

Intermediate Boys  Age 6 - 12  The second level in boys gymnastics for boys who have excelled in the beginners class and wish to continue their progress. Children begin to learn more difficult skills as their strength, flexibility, and maturity have developed. Less assistance is given and expectation of focus and behavior is increased to prevent injuries. This class begins to prepare boys for the competition team, although a competitive goal is not required. Skills of focus: round-offs, unassisted handstands, beginning stages of handsprings, support holds and swings on pommel horse, rings, and parallel bars, as well as continued development of strength, flexibility, and body control.

Advanced Boys  Age 6 - 12  The final level in boys gymnastics before competition team, for boys who have progressed beyond Intermediate Boys. Strength, flexibility, coordination, and focus have continued to develop and more difficult skills are introduced. Proper form and technique among all six men's events are emphasized for a strong foundation for boys who wish to continue competitively within the sport. Skills of focus: Handstand holds, perfected round offs, sequential tumbling skills, circles on mushroom, proper technique on swings on rings, parallel bars, and high bar, and more developed strength and flexibility.