The Bath Area Family YMCA’s gymnastics classes have been a community resource for over 40 years. Our award-winning gymnastics program serves youth from Bath, Brunswick, Woolwich, West Bath, Freeport, Yarmouth, Topsham and beyond.
Gymnastics training increases strength and flexibility, enhancing performance and preventing injury in any sport. In addition to being a sport itself, gymnastics is often used as cross training for other sports like martial arts, swimming, diving, and dance.
Whether you train in gymnastics to compete, cross-train, or just for fun and exercise, the self-discipline, self-confidence, individual responsibility, and sense of teamwork you gain from gymnastics training are positive character skills that carry over into all life endeavors.
YMCA gymnastics classes begin at the preschool level and progress through youth level classes and on to team competition, depending on skill level and interest.
Attire: Please wear a leotard, or fitted shorts and a t-shirt. Hair should be pulled back. Please no long, loose clothing, skirts, or footed tights.
Gymnastics 2022-2023 School Year:
Gymnastics classes
6 week sessions · 1 hour classes
Gymnastics attire: leotard and fitted shorts, biketard, or fitted shirt and shorts. Unacceptable attire: skirts, buttons, zips, or snaps, crop top or sports bra, socks or footed tights.
Please note: parents and caregivers may not be in the gymnastics area for either comfort or photography. All spectators are invited to observe and take pictures from the bleachers.
*Class availability is dependent upon staffing and space in class. During some sessions, a lack of available staff may cause some class times in the six week sessions to not be offered.
Please contact Gymnastics Director, Kym Granger at kym@bathymca.org with questions.
Preschool: Children ages 3-5 will be gently introduced to all appropriate gymnastics equipment in a structured, gentle environment. Parents and caregivers may not be in the gymnastics area, and are invited to observe from the bleachers.
Youth: Budding gymnasts, and those with a casual interest in the sport will enjoy this class. Athletes will use all equipment and will be taught basic gymnastics skills like handstands on floor, jumps on beam, squat-ons to vault, and swings on the bars. All abilities are welcome. No experience is required. This program is for children entering kindergarten and up.
Pre-team: Athletes considering future participation in competitive gymnastics will benefit from this class. Motivated athletes will practice back walk-overs, pullovers at the bar, and more advanced skills. Appropriate for gymnasts who have completed kindergarten. We encourage confident athletes who love gymnastics, and can independently do a cartwheel, backward roll, and are comfortable being upside down on bars to consider our pre-team program.
Team: Proficient gymnasts ready to commit to at least two practices a week and competitions beginning in December, will enjoy this team experience. Please speak to your child’s skill level makes them eligible.
Team Tryouts:
If your athlete would like to try out, please contact kym@bathymca.org
Preschool: Children ages 3-5 will be gently introduced to all appropriate gymnastics equipment in a structured, gentle environment. Parents and caregivers may not be in the gymnastics area, and are invited to observe from the bleachers.
Youth: Budding gymnasts, and those with a casual interest in the sport will enjoy this class. Athletes will use all equipment and will be taught basic gymnastics skills like handstands on floor, jumps on beam, squat-ons to vault, and swings on the bars. All abilities are welcome. No experience is required. This program is for children entering kindergarten and up.
When is my youth athlete ready to move to preteam?
Pre-teamers should be comfortable being upside down on bars, and circling quickly. They should be comfortable walking and jumping on the high beam. On floor, they need to be able to get to a handstand consistently, cartwheel, and have a good bridge, and hopefully a bridge kickover, or standing backbend.
Please talk to your athlete’s instructor for more guidance.
How does an athlete make the gymnastics team?
We welcome athletes to our competitive team who are entering 2nd grade or older.
Observable Behaviors of Bath YMCA Gymnastics Team Members
*Respect for self
*Respect for others
*Shows good effort
*Listens to directions and applies coach feedback
*Focus on event and skill being worked at the given time
*Encourages others
*Enjoys gymnastics
*Takes responsibility for moving and putting away equipment
*Treats everyone with kindness and respect
As well as consistent, independent proficiency on the following skills; these are MINIMUM requirements.
Vault:
handspring to flat back on whale OR handspring over whale turned sideways
Bars:
pull over
back hip circle
straight body cast to 45 degree angle
Beam: (all skills on high beam)
releve ½ turn on toe
One of the following: ¾ Cross handstand, cartwheel, bridge, shoulder roll, forward roll
Split leap or jump
Floor:
½ turn on toe
Chasse to split leap
Bridge kick-over
Standing backbend or back walkover
Handstand forward roll
Two consecutive cartwheels on a line
Financial Aid:
No one is ever turned away from the Y or our programs because of ability to pay - we always try to meet families at a place that feels affordable for them. Click below to learn more about scholarships and to apply for financial aid.
