SETTING THE STANDARD IN CHILDREN’S GYMNASTICS

Jodi’s Gym offers gymnastics based classes, parties, and camps for children 9 months to 12 years of age. Classes are age appropriate, developmentally sound, and curriculum based. A key mission is to introduce the students to the joys and endless benefits of fitness. Gymnastic classes are design to help children develop strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, focus, and discipline necessary for gymnastics and all sports. “Classes are always fun, safe, non-competitive, and appropriately challenging,” states Jodi. “Every child is a success as he or she masters skills at their own lever, reaches for attainable goals, and moves toward their personal best.”

Background: Jodi’s love for the sport of gymnastics began in sixth grade. Years of gymnastics training followed. After receiving an athletic scholarship to Indiana State University, Jodi continued to compete at the national level through her college years. In 1980, “thinking the gymnastics thing was over,” she returned to Manhattan, where she received a Master’s degree in Psychology from NYU- and also began teaching gymnastics again. “I could not stay away from the sport I loved,” she states. “While coaching competitive gymnastics teams and older children, I noticed the gyms were all empty during the day. I thought, ‘Why not introduce this amazing sport to younger siblings and preschoolers?’ It was truly a new idea back then. Many people thought, ‘What mother of a two-year-old wants gymnastics for her child?’ The rest is history!” The mommy and me phenomenon began. And 27 years later, Jodi’s Gym sets the standard of what a children’s gym should be.
Greatest Strength: Jodi’s Gym hires and trains “the absolute best people. Our entire staff is completely dedicated to delivering the love, the patience, the enthusiasm, the passion, the knowledge and expertise needed to maintain and deliver the ultimate in children’s programming. Our education and staff training is serious and ongoing… and far surpasses any industry standards.”

Proudest Moments: Jodi describes the pride she experiences when reuniting with past students- many who are now in their 30’s. A good number have shared stories of how their childhood involvement in gymnastics still serves them today- with goal setting, perseverance, confidence, and a commitment to a strong, fit, and healthy body. Jodi also immensely enjoys the “second generation” of students, new moms who were her students now bringing their own children to her classes. “People become all teary eyed with Jodi’s Gym memories!”

Customer Service: “Our staff can and will do whatever it takes to satisfy our customers (as long as safety and well-being of the children is never compromised). We will go over and beyond what is expected, and do so on a daily basis,” says Jodi. “Our experience also enables us to flag when developmental milestones are lagging. We have over and over again been the first place where this has been brought to a parent’s attention,” says Jodi. “Parents are extremely grateful, and we feel so good to be able to get the ball rolling on early intervention.”

Special Plans: Three new programs are in the works and include Music for Aardvarks… a hip, fun, cool music program from NYC. There is a new class for children with autism- a socialization program combined with gymnastics and taught by staff and a Ph.D. who specializes in this area. Also, check out Jodi’s GYMFIT- Fun fitness classes for kids. “We are also expanding our Jodi’s To Go programs… bringing our brand of fitness and gymnastics into many daycares, schools, camps, and residential buildings.”

Hopes and Dreams: “These include sharing Jodi’s Gym through more outreach programs- to bring in children who can’t attend one of our locations; opening in at least one more location in 2009; partnering in our charitable work with another organization; continuing to educate parents on the importance of a sound movement education program from children, and for them to understand the value associated with a well-planned, developmentally appropriate curriculum; and finally, sharing the benefits of gymnastics with as many families as we can while keeping the highest level of quality, safety, and customer service imaginable.”