- Feb 5, 2017
- 28
- 8
My mum suggested I switch gyms due to some issues with the team I was placed on, and I've been thinking about it but not sure. If I'm gonna switch, I need to do it SOON because this is the perfect time (the UK season has just ended). Also my sister is starting cheer soon so we need to decide which gym would be good for her.
Anyway, I'm gonna do a comparison of each gym and it would be great if you could leave your opinions on which gym is best! I can already tell it's gonna be long so just skimread if you must.
First gym (the one I'm currently at):
-really small gym
-all advertising is word of mouth or social media (as athletes we are constantly encouraged to do this). Clearly doesn't work very well as no one in the local area really knows about this gym. in fact sometimes my gym feels like some weird secret society that I accidentally stumbled across. We're not allowed to post routines or anything on social media.
-each team does about 2 comps a year, if you're a crossover you may go to a few more. Different teams go to different size comps. We do quite well in the comps and have very creative choreo.
-it's normal for people who compete on 4 teams or more just so we can field some teams (and even then we don't have enough for everyone to be placed on the correct level). Ages are a bit mixed up as well.
-everyone knows each other and there's an emphasis on fundraising and social events. It's like everyone at the gym is part of a big family (which is partly why I'd feel terrible if I left, just like that).
-there's one head coach who does basically everything
-recently I've noticed that sometimes lessons feel like a waste of money as there is too much sitting around/messing around. but maybe that is just me being uptight, idk.
-5-10 minute drive from my house depending on traffic
-no open gym
-joined last season; I was on J1 and absolutely LOVED it. Was very comfortable, was one of the stronger athletes, it was a very 'fun' team and I made lots of friends. However wanted more of a challenge.
-already been placed on a team for this season (S3) attended a few practices. My coach said it's a big jump from level one but I can handle it. S3 is the only senior team so she doesn't really have a choice but to put me on it.
-haven't enjoyed practicing with said team because in reality I am a weak level two athlete and don't like being the worst athlete on S3. I am always nervous for practice; cheer isn't a fun activity like it used to be. No-one really talks to me because I'm an awkward age compared to everyone else. There's a lot of pressure on this team as it's the highest level in the gym. I'm not very involved in stunting because I'm smaller than all the bases and there are aready three fetus flyers (who are all on youth and junior teams) so at the moment there isn't need for a flyer.
-lower level teams (level 3 is the highest)
-smaller teams ( I like the team size as I like to get a decent amount of attention on the mat).
-less teams
-we regularly enter other divisions such as pom, jazz, hip hop, solo and duo.
-all choreo and most camps are done in-house
-no open gym or extra classes apart from tumbling.
-train in our own dedicated gym.
Second gym:
-20-30 minutes drive from me depending on route and traffic
-do lots more comps (and generally bigger ones).
-around the same price as first gym (if we're not including the cost of extra competitions)
-teams are very large. I'm used to being on a small team and getting lots of attention, so not sure how I'd get on at this gym.
-they do a showcase every year
-I have friends at this gym who say that there isn't much of an emphasis on family and loyalty; as there are many coaches and teams and not everyone really knows each other. Athletes are also not expected to do fundraising/advertising.
-they train in a leisure centre and a gymnastics gym.
-they have a pay-as-you-go open gym, which is great.
-It's no secret that the tumbling training at this gym is much better than at the one I'm at before, not sure why.
-it is the 'big name gym' in my area. Everytime I tell someone I cheer, they automatically assume I go to this gym. It has a VERY big social media presence and every season puts out glamorous advertising for tryouts.
-music and choreo remind me of american gyms.
-has over twice the amount of teams as my gym, and therefore wider variety of levels and age ranges. So I think this means that it's more likely I'd be placed on a team with a reasonable age range and appropriate level.
-Has athletes from lots of backgrounds, as people travel from pretty far to come to this gyms.
-has a worlds team (may sound irrelevant but this is very impressive considering how hard it is to get to worlds from England). They also have jr restricted 5.
-often have camps run by external coaches, and most teams get dance sections professionally choreographed.
-they don't do solos, duos, or entry into dance divisions :0
-I'd have to buy a new uni, which would be annoying since it's not a new uni year yet and those things are expensive lol.
that's all I can think of for now, but hopefully should be enough to give you an idea of the main problems with each gym. Please comment which one seems best with my situation.
Anyway, I'm gonna do a comparison of each gym and it would be great if you could leave your opinions on which gym is best! I can already tell it's gonna be long so just skimread if you must.
First gym (the one I'm currently at):
-really small gym
-all advertising is word of mouth or social media (as athletes we are constantly encouraged to do this). Clearly doesn't work very well as no one in the local area really knows about this gym. in fact sometimes my gym feels like some weird secret society that I accidentally stumbled across. We're not allowed to post routines or anything on social media.
-each team does about 2 comps a year, if you're a crossover you may go to a few more. Different teams go to different size comps. We do quite well in the comps and have very creative choreo.
-it's normal for people who compete on 4 teams or more just so we can field some teams (and even then we don't have enough for everyone to be placed on the correct level). Ages are a bit mixed up as well.
-everyone knows each other and there's an emphasis on fundraising and social events. It's like everyone at the gym is part of a big family (which is partly why I'd feel terrible if I left, just like that).
-there's one head coach who does basically everything
-recently I've noticed that sometimes lessons feel like a waste of money as there is too much sitting around/messing around. but maybe that is just me being uptight, idk.
-5-10 minute drive from my house depending on traffic
-no open gym
-joined last season; I was on J1 and absolutely LOVED it. Was very comfortable, was one of the stronger athletes, it was a very 'fun' team and I made lots of friends. However wanted more of a challenge.
-already been placed on a team for this season (S3) attended a few practices. My coach said it's a big jump from level one but I can handle it. S3 is the only senior team so she doesn't really have a choice but to put me on it.
-haven't enjoyed practicing with said team because in reality I am a weak level two athlete and don't like being the worst athlete on S3. I am always nervous for practice; cheer isn't a fun activity like it used to be. No-one really talks to me because I'm an awkward age compared to everyone else. There's a lot of pressure on this team as it's the highest level in the gym. I'm not very involved in stunting because I'm smaller than all the bases and there are aready three fetus flyers (who are all on youth and junior teams) so at the moment there isn't need for a flyer.
-lower level teams (level 3 is the highest)
-smaller teams ( I like the team size as I like to get a decent amount of attention on the mat).
-less teams
-we regularly enter other divisions such as pom, jazz, hip hop, solo and duo.
-all choreo and most camps are done in-house
-no open gym or extra classes apart from tumbling.
-train in our own dedicated gym.
Second gym:
-20-30 minutes drive from me depending on route and traffic
-do lots more comps (and generally bigger ones).
-around the same price as first gym (if we're not including the cost of extra competitions)
-teams are very large. I'm used to being on a small team and getting lots of attention, so not sure how I'd get on at this gym.
-they do a showcase every year
-I have friends at this gym who say that there isn't much of an emphasis on family and loyalty; as there are many coaches and teams and not everyone really knows each other. Athletes are also not expected to do fundraising/advertising.
-they train in a leisure centre and a gymnastics gym.
-they have a pay-as-you-go open gym, which is great.
-It's no secret that the tumbling training at this gym is much better than at the one I'm at before, not sure why.
-it is the 'big name gym' in my area. Everytime I tell someone I cheer, they automatically assume I go to this gym. It has a VERY big social media presence and every season puts out glamorous advertising for tryouts.
-music and choreo remind me of american gyms.
-has over twice the amount of teams as my gym, and therefore wider variety of levels and age ranges. So I think this means that it's more likely I'd be placed on a team with a reasonable age range and appropriate level.
-Has athletes from lots of backgrounds, as people travel from pretty far to come to this gyms.
-has a worlds team (may sound irrelevant but this is very impressive considering how hard it is to get to worlds from England). They also have jr restricted 5.
-often have camps run by external coaches, and most teams get dance sections professionally choreographed.
-they don't do solos, duos, or entry into dance divisions :0
-I'd have to buy a new uni, which would be annoying since it's not a new uni year yet and those things are expensive lol.
that's all I can think of for now, but hopefully should be enough to give you an idea of the main problems with each gym. Please comment which one seems best with my situation.
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