Ninja Challenge

You've seen the obstacle course TV shows right? Well, now you can get your kids involved in learning what it takes to do those types of challenges!

Every Saturday this season Sept 2015-May 2016) Gonyons Gymnastics is holding the Ninja Challenge Obstacle Course Training. Ages 6-11 Sat. 1pm-2pm. $7 per class. Ages 12-17  and Intermediates by invitation Sat 2pm-3:pm $7 per class.

Some of our new and featured equipment for this class are the Rock Wall, Cargo Net, and Rope Climb.

Our new instructor has years of Parkour Training and he's excited to bring this program to our gym.

Cartwheels Again???

One of the most frequent complaints I hear from parents is "They're (the class) working on cartwheels again and my kid can do cartwheels so I need to move them to a different class." While it may LOOK like your child isn't learning anything new, trust me LOOKS are VERY deceiving! And 9 times out of 10 your child really doesn't need to be moved.

There are so many different components to this one skill. The coaches are looking to see if ALL parts of the cartwheel have been mastered. Are your feet and hands pointed in the right direction when beginning and ending the skill? Are the hips square? Are the toes pointed...the whole time? Are the legs straight? Did you end with your arms up in the air? Was there length in the cartwheel? Did it start with a hurdle? Was the hurdle correct? Etc...

Coaches know how to work on all the different areas with different drills. And Coaches know how to make a cartwheel easier for beginners and harder for those who need to be challenged. Adding length, one handed cartwheels, and wrong handed cartwheels (cartwheels done with the far arm)  add a lot of difficultly to the skill. Even the easiest skills take 800 repetitions to master so your child is going to have to work on the same skills for a significant amount of time.

If you feel your child is not being pushed enough, I suggest that before you ask to have them moved to a different class, that you first talk to your Coach. An open dialect with your teacher will help you understand how your child is progressing. We want your child to excel just as much as you!

So, YES, the class is doing cartwheels...again. And it's not bad a thing!

Summer 2015 New Features

As our summer classes kick off today we are excited to highlight a few new classes: Tuesdays Coaching Class and Wristband Wednesdays.

Tuesdays Coaching Class is for those who are interested in becoming an assistant or gymnastics coach. This class is free to current staff and current students ages 13 and up. Non students is $5 per class. Each week will cover spotting techniques, class organization, drills & skills, safety, and so much more. Bring a 3 ring binder as there will be handouts each week. Dress in comfortable clothing, you will be moving! This class will run for the full summer sessions, Tuesdays 4-5pm.

Wristband Wednesdays is an open workout class for ages 8 and up. It is $10 per student. No friends, No parents! Every student must have a signed Parent Consent Form on file in order to participate. Wristbands will be sold at the door prior to class time. No wristband = No participation (you will not be allowed into the gyms). Coaches will be on hand to supervised students, set up drills, and supervise use of equipment. Class time is 4:30-6pm

For more information on our summer programs visit our Website or Facebook page.
www.gonyonsgymnastics.com
https://www.facebook.com/GonyonsGymnastics?ref=hl

If you have any questions, please send me an email through our Website or direct message on Facebook.

Farewell Miss Lisa

Our dance teacher, Miss Lisa joined our gymnastics family 2 short years ago and sadly we now have to say goodbye. Miss Lisa and her family are moving to Chicago and we wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors. We are going to miss her infectious smile,  her positive attitude, and her kind heart. Below is her goodbye post and pictures of her students that will miss her the most.

In September 2013 I pulled out of the Gurnee parking lot thinking what have I done I just quit my dream job. Little did I know two weeks later I would be standing in my little pink dance studio with a whole new group of kids. The past 22 months at Gonyons has been amazing the staff welcomed me with open arms, the kids skipped into their class eager to dance, and the parents always greeted me with smiles. I am truly going to miss my Michigan Dance family. I was thanked today by many parents for teaching their kids. Now it is my turn to thank you. Thank you for opening your studio to me and thank you for helping me realize that no matter where i am as long as I a teaching I am working at my dream job. I cannot wait to see these kids grow in dance and in their life. and yes trips to Chicago are required!!!

Brenda celebrates 30 years of service

Many people in our community know the name Gonyons. They know that about the two businesses, Gonyons Well Drilling and Gonyons Gymnastics. They recognize that these are family run small business - and good ones that the community supports. What most people don't know is that Brenda, the gym manager, didn't start out working there. She had went to college, got her degree, and was employed at a job with long hours, little pay, and too much responsibility. She was not happy and needed a change.

At that time the gym was expanding and Grace, the owner and Brenda's mother, needed to hire more help. Grace was able to give Brenda a job that was exactly what they both needed.

Back in the day, Brenda was a gymnastics coach. And through the years has learned every aspect of the business. Today she manages the gym full time and often works at the Well Drilling office as well. She's a woman of many talents. Through her keen business sense and strong leadership, the gym has continued to grow.

In recognition of her 30 years of excellence, family and staff gathered to celebrate a job well done.