Thirty employees are faced with the task to instruct kids, ages 1 to 18, on a recreational, competitive and even educational level. A total of 1,200 to 2,000 children are a part of the gymnastics program at the academy, located at 2401 Willow St.
With Olympic season beginning Aug. 5, it’s no wonder that the already “highly motivated” kids are already training a lot harder with a “definite spring in their step,” according to Carol McIntyre, who owns the academy alongside her husband Shane.
It’s all in the nature of the sport, she added.
“Once gymnastics gets in your blood, that’s what happens,” she said. “It’s a love-hate relationship sometimes, but I guess, obviously, it leads to the love side a hell of a lot stronger than the hate side. It’s awesome. There’s so many things that gymnastics does for children— their self-esteem, their strength and their body image— oh, my God, it’s just a spectacular sport.”
The academy opened in Signal Hill in 1985 and returned in 2008 after relocating in Long Beach. Both Carol and Shane have been involved with gymnastics practically their entire lives— beginning at ages 3 and 5, respectively.
There are different programs the kids can participate in based on skill level and experience— some of which include: a recreational program for kids that want to learn gymnastics for self-amusement— where students usually train once a week and partake in four Olympics events with some flexibility, strength and dancing; while the competitive program features team kids who usually train twice a day and utilize a lot of strength and flexibility in their exercises at a “high-level” pace.
A large majority of the team kids went to San Jose recently for the Olympic trials, where Carol described their demeanor as excited and motivated.
Currently, there are seven children who will enter the “elite” program, a group of those who have demonstrated, by their performance in various competitions, that they have the potential to become Olympians or professional athletes.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Screen-Shot-2016-07-28-at-3.42.17-PM.png” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”An American Gymnastics Academy “Mighty Tumbler” athlete performs an L-Hang exercise with the assistance of her coach Austin Kebely. ” captionposition=”left”] It’s not just physicality, however. During the school year, children have the opportunity to participate in the academy’s tutoring program, in which they can arrive right after school and enter a homework room that has access to computers and printers for the students to work on.
“So, we do a lot,” Carol said. “There’s a lot going on here.” It helps that the work ethic is strong amongst all the kids, she added, especially in a sport that is said to be so demanding.
“It’s very difficult. It’s not an easy thing to do,” Carol said. “But once you master it, you feel like you’re invincible. I have always felt that if you really put your mind into something, you’re going to be capable of doing it. And what a spectacular thing to pass down to children— to make them understand that if they really work hard, they will achieve what they are aiming toward.”
Although the AGA has both boys and girls programs, the team consists entirely of girls, with no boys. In years past, the academy used to offer a team for males, but Carol pointed out that there is a significance decrease in the number of boys who enroll in gymnastics compared to girls.
One reason may be stereotypes. The misconception that gymnastics is an effeminate practice is one that disturbs Carol.
“I think it’s unfortunate people think that and feel that way— simply because a gymnast uses more muscle in one hour than a football player does in an entire season,” she said. “So there’s a huge difference physically in gymnastics than there is in any other sport… We use every muscle that’s possible in the body to do gymnastics because you’re lifting your own weight and you’re flipping multiple times in the air. It’s quite the intricate sport.”
Carol said a boys program in the future is something the AGA is working to put together again.
Another future project the AGA is set to prep is a ninja course for the athletes. The academy is currently adding onto and revamping the gym in order to accommodate the incoming equipment for the endeavor. The ninja course is projected to debut in October, but a date has not officially been confirmed.
“So, it’s not quite gymnastics, but I kind of like it,” Carol said, “and I think it’s the newest thing that’s come out. It’s very exciting for both boys and girls.”
For now, Carol, Shane and the other instructors that are a part of the academy will continue to train the children in their respective ways.
“And even if you don’t end up being a gymnast or growing up and owning your own gym kind-of-thing, it makes for great athleticism,” she said. “Every child who does gymnastics does another sport even better due to that gymnastics. It’s a thing you did as a child, and now, as an adult, you know you get to pass it on and know how great kids will feel about it.”
