FAQ

Below is a list of the answers to our most frequently asked questions. Don't see what you're looking for? Drop us a line!

What is the difference between tumbling and gymnastics?

Gymnastics involves all of the different apparatuses. For women that would include vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. For men, those apparatus include floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bar. If you are interested in just learning to flip, tumbling would be the better fit.

How do I know what class to put my child in?

We offer a no-risk trial class that you can schedule to see what class will be the perfect fit for your family. You only pay for this class upon enrollment, so you have no pressure and see what works for you. If you still have no idea where to start, there's still no stress. We can also schedule an evaluation with our instructors. It'll only take a couple of minutes and we can see where your child's skill level is to find the appropriate class for them.

When does my child move up to the next level?

We do ongoing evaluations in all classes. As soon as a student meets the requirements for the next level, the coach will notify our office staff and you will be contacted by email. You may also request an evaluation if you believe your child is ready to be promoted to the next level.

When can my child join a class?

Anytime, we have open enrollment. Your child may join during any session as long as there is an available spot. Tuition payment and registration will be due at that time, after which tuition will always be due on the first of each month.

Can I change classes?

Yes, you may change classes anytime as long as there is an opening in that class. Please be sure to check at the front counter, or just give us a call. We will do our best to accommodate your class change. There's no fee to change classes, and you can move into a different program. Please, be aware that some classes do have different tuition rates.

When signing up for classes how long is he/she enrolled?

Our classes are year-round and feature monthly continuous enrollment. Our schedule begins in August, and as long as tuition fees do not fall 90 days delinquent. The only way to become un-enrolled is to complete and submit a withdrawal form to the office. (See also withdrawal policy)

How do I register?

Select a class that is right for your child based on his/her skill level. Our classes are primarily divided by skill level as opposed to age. If you are trying to find classes by age, we will do our best to accommodate your request. If your unsure of your child's skill level just come in for a quick evaluation, which will only take a couple of minutes.
We also hope to soon be able to offer online registration for currently registered students. Payment must be made with a major credit card at the time of registration. Families who are currently registered may enroll online through our Parent Portal button at the very top of the screen once this feature is available. If you are not currently registered, please take a moment to do so. It's very easy. Your annual registration fee and tuition will not be drafted from your account until your enrollment is confirmed by an AMP Athletics Representative (Keep in mind some upper level and pre-team classes are invitation-only, and will not be available for online registration).

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Do Team Gymnasts and Cheerleaders receive better training?

No. Our athletes involved in our competitive programs do not receive better training/instruction, but the majority of the time, they do receive more training. Most of our competitive athletes are required to train a minimum of 4 hours per week, while class students often only come 1 or 2 hours per week. The extra training time allows team coaches to focus on extra conditioning and details in every skill.

What do coaches look for when inviting kids to competitive teams?

When considering a child for a team program that requires an invitation, coaches look for some of the following traits: Physical Strength - Can the child easily perform strength exercises such as pull-ups, leg lifts, and the like? Flexibility - Is the child flexible enough to handle some of the requirements and can flexibility be improved over time? Basic Skills - How are the child's fundamental skills? Have they spent enough time in a class or pre-team to attain the basics properly and do they know enough terminology? Motivation - Does the child want to learn and succeed, or is he/she content right where they are? Coachability - Does the child listen to corrections and try to apply them? Is the child willing to take a few steps back to fix old skills before learning new skills? Mental Toughness - How sensitive is the child? Does he/she respond well to criticism? Sportsmanship - Would this child fit in with existing team members? Would he/she encourage the other athletes? Would this child accept both success and defeat respectfully and graciously?

What is required to be on a competitive team?

Commitment - Our competitive programs require a team member's presence for every minute of scheduled training time. Team members are expected to attend all practices, meets/competitions, fundraisers, and other team events. Team members are expected to arrive on time and be prepared to train (hair up, proper attire on, etc.) While being on a competitive team is fun, it is no just a social hour and it is not something you show up for when you have nothing else to do. If your child is not willing to commit to the requirements of their team, it is best to consider other options, such as the class programs, camps, or private lessons. Proper Health & Nutrition - An athlete cannot train or perform to the best of their abilities without proper nutrition. All competitive athletes are expected to eat a well-balanced diet and stay hydrated in order to keep their bodies in the best physical shape possible. Attitude - Competitive team members are expected to have a good attitude towards themselves, their teammates, and their coaches. They need to accept criticism in order to improve, and they need to encourage their teammates to be the best they can. Family Commitment - All competitive teams require a strong family commitment, in the form of transportation, financial assistance, nutritional advice, fundraising, support at competitions, and mental support throughout training. Busy families are encouraged to share contact information, arrange carpools, child-care, etc. Finances - It's the part no one wants to think about, but we want to be honest with you. Being on a competitive team can be expensive. On top of monthly tuition, you need to consider the price of uniforms, choreographers, meet/competition entry fees, coaches fees, and travel fees. Fundraising - Many gyms will arrange fundraising events to help ease the financial burden of being on a team. These events may take the form of selling candy, tagging outside a store, raffles, etc.

Do competitive team members learn bigger and better skills than recreational class students?

No. Both recreational and competitive programs follow the same curriculum and skill progression set by USA Gymnastics and the USASF. Competitive program members who have learned impressively difficult skills have done so after committing themselves to the competitive program for several years and putting in countless hours of training time. All class students have the opportunity to learn the same skills as our team members but must do so while following the proper skill progression. With any athlete, safety is always the number one priority. Class coaches take into consideration a child's strength, flexibility, and mental readiness before beginning to teach a new, more difficult skill.