Gymnastics

Program Description

Miami University Recreation offers a youth gymnastics program for children ages 2+ at Sawyer Hall. Each class has an experienced instructor that is background-checked and maintains certifications in gymnastics safety and CPR/first-aid. Activities are designed for instruction, recreation, and fitness in the format of group lessons, private and semi-private lessons, and birthday parties.

Sawyer Gym is located at 751 Western College Drive Oxford, OH 45056. You can get to the facility from Western Drive off of US 27.

Parking is located near Boyd Hall off of Western Drive near the Greenhouse.

Spring Registration is Closed and Classes are Full.
The next session will be in the Fall. Check back for updates in July.
Contact Geremy Bardon at bardongw@miamioh.edu for information or to be added to email list.



 

Parent/Child (ages 2–3)

Parent participation is required. The class is 45 minutes of warm-up and stretch followed by circuits that involve gymnastics equipment. Coach(es) lead while parents interact with their children and teach them developmental skills utilizing our equipment. Your child will learn skills like jumping, swinging, walking on a beam and rolling. They will improve motor skills, hand/eye coordination and balance. They will learn basic gymnastics vocabulary and positions, and improve their ability to listen and follow directions.

Preschool (ages 3–5)

This class is for children who are potty trained. Our preschool classes are designed to teach the basic skills and terminology of gymnastics. Your child will learn skills like cartwheels, forward rolls, swings and supports on bars. This class will help your child learn how to behave and interact in a structured class setting while improving his/her physical capabilities.

 

Beginner Girls (ages 6+)

This class is designed for girls who have little to no gymnastics experience and wish to learn beginner skills like cartwheels, forward and backward rolls, handstands, swings, pullovers, walking/jumping on a beam, and punching a springboard. Our girl’s classes will focus on floor, bars, beam and vault.

Intermediate Girls (ages 6+)

This class is designed for girls who have previous gymnastics experience or have already mastered the skills taught in our Beginner Girls class. Students will continue working on all apparatus and will learn more advanced skills such as round-offs, bridge kickovers, pullovers and back hip circles on bars, and handstands on beam.

Advanced Girls (ages 6+, must be screened by an instructor)

This class is designed for girls who have mastered the skills taught in our Intermediate Girls class and wish to continue improving their gymnastics skills and be more challenged. Students will continue working on all apparatus and will learn more advanced skills like back handsprings, back walkovers, front hip circles, underswing dismount on low bar, cartwheels on beam and flat back vaults.

Tumbling (ages 6+)

Students will learn advanced tumbling skills needed for cheerleading and dance like standing back handsprings, round-off back handsprings, aerials, and standing back tucks.

 

Beginners Boys (ages 6+)

This class is designed for boys who have little to no gymnastics experience and wish to learn beginner skills like cartwheels, forward and backward rolls, handstands, swings, pullovers and punching a springboard.

Intermediate Boys (ages 6+)

This class is designed for boys who have previous gymnastics experience or have already mastered the skills taught in our Beginner Boys class. Students will learn more advanced skills utilizing vault, parallel bars, floor, rings and pommel horse.

Ninja Warrior (ages 5-13)

The Ninja Warrior class combines gymnastics, and parkour moves into a fast-paced combination of stations and obstacle courses. Ninja Warrior classes allow athletes to put their strength, speed, and agility to the test. During these class periods, the Ninjas will work on breaking down each obstacle, learning how to properly execute each with varying degrees of difficulty. 

Parent/Child & Preschool

 

Parent/Child (ages 2–3)

Parent participation is required. The class is 45 minutes of warm-up and stretch followed by circuits that involve gymnastics equipment. Coach(es) lead while parents interact with their children and teach them developmental skills utilizing our equipment. Your child will learn skills like jumping, swinging, walking on a beam and rolling. They will improve motor skills, hand/eye coordination and balance. They will learn basic gymnastics vocabulary and positions, and improve their ability to listen and follow directions.

Preschool (ages 3–5)

This class is for children who are potty trained. Our preschool classes are designed to teach the basic skills and terminology of gymnastics. Your child will learn skills like cartwheels, forward rolls, swings and supports on bars. This class will help your child learn how to behave and interact in a structured class setting while improving his/her physical capabilities.

Girls

 

Beginner Girls (ages 6+)

This class is designed for girls who have little to no gymnastics experience and wish to learn beginner skills like cartwheels, forward and backward rolls, handstands, swings, pullovers, walking/jumping on a beam, and punching a springboard. Our girl’s classes will focus on floor, bars, beam and vault.

Intermediate Girls (ages 6+)

This class is designed for girls who have previous gymnastics experience or have already mastered the skills taught in our Beginner Girls class. Students will continue working on all apparatus and will learn more advanced skills such as round-offs, bridge kickovers, pullovers and back hip circles on bars, and handstands on beam.

Advanced Girls (ages 6+, must be screened by an instructor)

This class is designed for girls who have mastered the skills taught in our Intermediate Girls class and wish to continue improving their gymnastics skills and be more challenged. Students will continue working on all apparatus and will learn more advanced skills like back handsprings, back walkovers, front hip circles, underswing dismount on low bar, cartwheels on beam and flat back vaults.

Tumbling (ages 6+)

Students will learn advanced tumbling skills needed for cheerleading and dance like standing back handsprings, round-off back handsprings, aerials, and standing back tucks.

Boys

 

Beginners Boys (ages 6+)

This class is designed for boys who have little to no gymnastics experience and wish to learn beginner skills like cartwheels, forward and backward rolls, handstands, swings, pullovers and punching a springboard.

Intermediate Boys (ages 6+)

This class is designed for boys who have previous gymnastics experience or have already mastered the skills taught in our Beginner Boys class. Students will learn more advanced skills utilizing vault, parallel bars, floor, rings and pommel horse.

Ninja Warrior

Ninja Warrior (ages 5-13)

The Ninja Warrior class combines gymnastics, and parkour moves into a fast-paced combination of stations and obstacle courses. Ninja Warrior classes allow athletes to put their strength, speed, and agility to the test. During these class periods, the Ninjas will work on breaking down each obstacle, learning how to properly execute each with varying degrees of difficulty. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the classes held?

The classes are located at Sawyer Hall (751 Western College Drive).

Where can I park at Sawyer Hall?

There is parking available near Sawyer. Contact Geremy Bardon by email at bardongw@miamioh.edu for a parking pass if you do not have a Miami University pass.

What should participants wear?

Children should wear clothes they can move around in, but not baggy clothes. Leotards for girls are recommended but not required. No jewelry. Long hair should be tied back.

What happens in the case of inclement weather?

In rare instances gymnastics classes and lessons will be canceled. Please call 513-529-8085 for the latest update on weather cancellations. Participants are not penalized for missing classes and we encourage all parents to use their best judgment when determining whether or not to bring their child in the case of inclement weather.

Birthday Parties

We offer birthday parties year round. The typical event is a two hour facility reservation with 12 or fewer children and two instructors that plan and supervise 90 minutes of activity. This cost of this package is $125, but other price options are available depending on the size of the group.