Above the Bar Gymnastics Academy
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Above the Bar Gymnastics Academy is highly praised for its engaging parent-tot preschool classes for high-energy children, its excellent birthday party packages featuring private gym access and multiple instructors for up to 13 kids, and its ability to accommodate families with multiple children (ages 2-7) in classes simultaneously. The facility is clean, equipment is well-maintained, and coaches are dedicated, knowledgeable, and provide individual attention, with a good presence of boy gymnasts. However, parents should be aware of a strict annual fee and a 30-day cancellation policy that can lead to charges even when classes are no longer being attended.
Key Highlights
- ✓Dedicated parent-tot preschool class, particularly effective for high-energy children, led by Coach Terry.
- ✓Birthday parties offer exclusive use of the entire gym for approximately 13 children and their parents, with three instructors.
- ✓Birthday party instructors entertain kids for an hour with various obstacle courses and a foam block pit.
- ✓The gym is super clean and all equipment is reported to be in very good condition.
- ✓Parents can relax during birthday parties as children are actively engaged by instructors.
- ✓Saturday classes successfully accommodate multiple children (ages 2, 5, & 7) simultaneously, simplifying family logistics.
- ✓The gym has a good amount of boy gymnasts, providing a positive environment for boys.
- ✓Staff and instructors are knowledgeable, dedicated, and provide individual focus to students, including teens/young adults as instructors.
- ✓Owner, Terry, is present and personable, introducing new families to coaches.
Standout Features
- ⭐Engaging parent-tot preschool program.
- ⭐Private gym access and multiple dedicated instructors for birthday parties.
- ⭐Obstacle courses and a foam block pit for active play and entertainment.
- ⭐Very clean facility and well-maintained, safe equipment.
- ⭐Relaxation space for parents during children's activities (e.g., birthday parties).
- ⭐Flexible scheduling allowing multiple siblings of different ages to attend classes concurrently.
- ⭐Presence of other boy gymnasts, creating a welcoming atmosphere for boys.
- ⭐Knowledgeable, dedicated, and caring coaching staff providing individualized attention.
- ⭐Visible and welcoming owner (Terry).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →If you have a high-energy preschooler, the parent-tot class with Coach Terry is specifically recommended.
- →Consider booking birthday parties here, especially for children around 5 years old, for a private, well-supervised, and fun experience.
- →Carefully review the annual fee structure and 30-day cancellation policy before enrolling in regular classes.
- →Families with multiple children (ages 2-7) should inquire about simultaneous class scheduling for convenience.
- →Boys interested in gymnastics may find this gym particularly appealing due to the presence of other boy gymnasts and supportive coaches.
Things to Consider
- ⚠A mandatory annual fee is charged, which can be applied even if a child ceases attendance before the year is complete, despite paying for a month of non-attendance.
- ⚠A strict 30-day cancellation notice is required, which may result in additional charges.
Price & Value
Birthday parties are perceived as good value, providing private gym use, multiple instructors, and engaging activities (obstacle courses, foam pit) for a group of children. However, regular classes involve a mandatory annual fee, which, combined with a 30-day cancellation notice, can lead to unexpected charges (e.g., paying an annual fee without attending any classes for that year due to cancellation). This suggests potential hidden costs or inflexible billing for ongoing enrollment.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Pizza and cupcakes were consumed after the instruction hour at a birthday party, indicating that outside food for parties is permitted or can be arranged.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details regarding parking were mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Birthday parties ensure the entire gym is reserved for the group, guaranteeing a private experience.
- •No specific details about crowd levels during regular class times were mentioned.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Three instructors actively entertain and supervise children during birthday parties, ensuring safety.
- •Equipment is described as being in very good shape, implying a focus on safety through maintenance.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Parents who are uncomfortable with strict cancellation policies or mandatory annual fees that may apply even when not actively attending for the full period covered.
- • Families seeking extreme flexibility in billing or short-notice cancellations without financial implications.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Parent and Tot
$95Duration: 45 min Once a Week
Children aged 18 months to 3 years old, accompanied by one parent, grandparent or guardian who actively assists the child. Focuses on social and educational experience, bonding time.
Includes:
- •instructor-lead class
- •active adult participation
Preschool I
$90Duration: 45 min
For children transitioning from Parent and Tot or new to gymnastics, able to attend without a parent present. Focuses on age-appropriate skills, balance, jumping, hanging, swinging, running, listening, following directions. Parent required to remain in waiting area. Co-ed.
Includes:
- •age-appropriate skills
- •balance
- •jumping
- •hanging
- •swinging
- •running skills
- •listening
- •following directions
Preschool II
$110 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour Once a Week
For preschool children aged 3-5 who are ready for a longer class or have advanced gymnastic preschool skills. Builds independence and self-esteem. Parent required to remain in waiting area. Co-ed.
Includes:
- •age-appropriate skills
- •balance
- •jumping
- •hanging
- •swinging
- •running skills
- •listening
- •following directions
Beginner Girls
$110 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour Once a Week
For girls aged 5-9. Teaches rolls, headstands, handstands, beginning cartwheels, bridge from floor, beginning pull-overs, pike and straddle swings, walks and beginning jumps on beam, running and jumping technique on vault. Emphasizes strength building.
Includes:
- •rolls
- •headstands
- •handstands
- •beginning cartwheels
- •bridge from floor
- •beginning pull-overs
- •pike and straddle swings
- •walks and beginning jumps on beam
- •running and jumping technique on vault
- •strength building
Advanced Beginner Girls
$120 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour 15 Minutes Once a Week
Requires instructor approval or skill evaluation. Students should be able to do a cartwheel, forward and backward rolls, a good bridge, a standing back bend, a handstand, be comfortable on the high beam, do a pull-over on bars, cast on bars, and basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults.
Includes:
- •cartwheel
- •forward and backward rolls
- •good bridge
- •standing back bend
- •handstand
- •comfort on high beam
- •pull-over on bars
- •cast on bars
- •basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults
Senior Beginner Girls
$110 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour Once a Week
For girls aged 9-14. Teaches rolls, headstands, handstands, beginning cartwheels, bridge from floor, beginning pull-overs, pike and straddle swings, walks and beginning jumps on beam, running and jumping technique on vault. Emphasizes strength building.
Includes:
- •rolls
- •headstands
- •handstands
- •beginning cartwheels
- •bridge from floor
- •beginning pull-overs
- •pike and straddle swings
- •walks and beginning jumps on beam
- •running and jumping technique on vault
- •strength building
Intermediate Girls
$130 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour 30 minutes Once a Week
Requires instructor approval or skill evaluation. Minimum skills include a cartwheel, forward and backward rolls, a good bridge, a standing back bend, a handstand, comfort on the high beam, a pull-over on bars, cast on bars, and basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults.
Includes:
- •cartwheel
- •forward and backward rolls
- •good bridge
- •standing back bend
- •handstand
- •comfort on high beam
- •pull-over on bars
- •cast on bars
- •basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults
Advanced Intermediate Girls
$130 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour 30 minutes Once a Week
Requires instructor approval or skill evaluation. Minimum skills include a cartwheel, forward and backward rolls, a good bridge, a standing back bend, a handstand, comfort on the high beam, a pull-over on bars, cast on bars, and basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults.
Includes:
- •cartwheel
- •forward and backward rolls
- •good bridge
- •standing back bend
- •handstand
- •comfort on high beam
- •pull-over on bars
- •cast on bars
- •basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults
Advanced Girls
$135 per MonthDuration: 2 Hours Once a Week
Requires instructor approval or skill evaluation. Minimum skills: back walkover, cartwheel, round-off, pullover, back hip circle, cartwheel and handstand on low beam.
Includes:
- •back walkover
- •cartwheel
- •round-off
- •pullover
- •back hip circle
- •cartwheel and handstand on low beam
Beginner Boys
$110 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour Once a Week
For boys aged 5-15. Teaches rolls, headstands, handstands, beginning cartwheels, bridge from floor, beginning pull-overs, pike and straddle swings, walks and beginning jumps on beam, running and jumping technique on vault. Also various swinging and support skills on parallel bars, pommel horse and rings. Emphasizes strength building.
Includes:
- •rolls
- •headstands
- •handstands
- •beginning cartwheels
- •bridge from floor
- •beginning pull-overs
- •pike and straddle swings
- •walks and beginning jumps on beam
- •running and jumping technique on vault
- •swinging and support skills on parallel bars
- •pommel horse
- •rings
- •strength building
Advanced Beginner Boys
$130 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour 30 minutes Once a Week
Requires instructor approval or skill evaluation. Students should be able to do a cartwheel, forward and backward rolls, a good bridge, a standing back bend, a handstand, be comfortable on the high beam, do a pull-over on bars, cast on bars, and basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults.
Includes:
- •cartwheel
- •forward and backward rolls
- •good bridge
- •standing back bend
- •handstand
- •comfort on high beam
- •pull-over on bars
- •cast on bars
- •basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults
- •various swinging and support skills on parallel bars
- •pommel horse
- •rings
- •strength building
Intermediate Boys
$130 per MonthDuration: 1.5 Hours Once a Week
Requires instructor approval or skill evaluation. Minimum skills include a cartwheel, forward and backward rolls, a good bridge, a standing back bend, a handstand, comfort on the high beam, a pull-over on bars, cast on bars, and basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults.
Includes:
- •cartwheel
- •forward and backward rolls
- •good bridge
- •standing back bend
- •handstand
- •comfort on high beam
- •pull-over on bars
- •cast on bars
- •basic squat-on and straddle-on vaults
- •various swinging and support skills on parallel bars
- •pommel horse
- •rings
- •strength building
Tumbling
$110 per MonthDuration: 1 Hour Once a Week
For students interested only in tumbling, or the tumbling aspect of cheerleading. Focuses specifically on tumbling (cart-wheels, round-offs, back-handsprings, front and back tucks). No gymnastics apparatus other than the floor and tumble-track. Develops strength for tumbling. Not currently running for individual enrollment.
Includes:
- •cartwheels
- •round-offs
- •back-handsprings
- •front tucks
- •back tucks
- •strength development
Birthday Party
$350Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Includes 1 hour of fun in the gym, 30 minutes for parent-provided refreshments, and 15 minutes for clean-up.
Includes:
- •1 hour gym time
- •30 min refreshment time
- •15 min clean-up
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Birthday Parties
Saturdays at 2:15
$350 for up to 15 kids, additional kids $10. $150 non-refundable deposit.
1 hour in the gym, 30 minutes for parent-provided refreshments, 15 minutes for clean-up. Must be reserved at least 2 weeks in advance. Online booking available. Gymnastics participants should be within 1-2 years of the birthday child's age.
🍎Food Policy
- • Birthday parties: Refreshments are parent-provided.
- • Men's Gymnastics Meet: Concessions will be available for each session.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Inclement Weather: Put personal safety first when deciding whether to drive to class.
- • Parking Lot Safety: Use caution when driving, walking in parking lot and on sidewalks, as they can be slippery during winter.
- • Weather Closings: Information posted on Facebook Page; text updates if cell number on file.
- • Attire for parties/gym: Shorts and t-shirt or leotard (NO SKIRTS, Buttons or Zippers).
- • Footwear for parties/gym: No socks or jewelry allowed on the gym floor.
- • Hair for parties/gym: Must be up, away from the face. Beads, barrettes or hard hairbands are discouraged.
- • Birthday Parties: Parents are not permitted on the gym floor during the party.
- • Birthday Parties: Specific permission from the manager on duty is required to take videos.
- • Birthday Parties: All child participants must have a waiver signed by their parents.
- • Competitive Teams: Uniform and USAG Number Required for Students who compete.
- • Skill Evaluations: Required for certain advanced recreational classes (Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate, Advanced Girls; Advanced Beginner, Intermediate Boys) if new to the gym.
- • Adherence to USA Gymnastics Safety & Response Policy and U.S. Center for SafeSport standards (implied by links/mentions).
📅Booking Policy
- • Registration for classes: Must register online, on the Parent Portal, or on the gym's App (Download App via QR Code, App Store, or Google Play).
- • Online enrollment process: Fill out form, pay Registration Fee and first Month’s Tuition.
- • Wait list: Available for full classes; names can be added without charge until enrolled. Gym will contact if an opening occurs.
- • Home School Classes: Home-school groups (8 or larger) should contact the gym directly to arrange. Individual home school students can enroll in regular classes.
- • Birthday Parties: Book online via 'Host Booking Calendar' or call. Must be reserved at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact gym directly for reservations within the 2-week deadline.
- • Camps: Register via Events Calendar link.
- • Competitive Teams: Contact the gym to arrange an evaluation.
- • Payment methods: Preferred is Credit or Debit Card, or Cash. Venmo option available for Men's Meet payments (email or call).
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking lot available (use caution when driving/walking, especially in winter due to potential slipperiness).
What People Say
What's Great
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Danielle Lowry
7 months agoThe parent-tot preschool class is so lovely and a wonderful way for a high energy child to get in some movement. Coach Terry is great with the kids and they all have fun!
Jason Parrish
8 months agoAbsolute scam artists. 30 day cancellation notice I can live with, but to charge me the annual fee even after I'm paying for a month my son won't be attending is criminal. Why would I pay a yearly fee to cover 365 days when my son isn't attending a single class.
Rva Mocha
5 years agoMy son had his fifth birthday party here. There were thirteen kids and their parents. Everyone was very impressed and the kids had a blast. We had the entire gym to ourselves. There were three awesome instructors that entertained the kids for an hour with various obstacle courses and the foam block pit. There was plenty of room for the parents to relax without having to chase their kids around. We had pizza and cupcakes after the hour of instruction. The place was super clean and the equipment was in very good shape. The owner, Terry, even introduced my son to the boys coaches one day when we stopped by before the party. We will definitely considering enrolling in classes in the near future.
Sandra Wheeler
3 years agoWe had all three of our children (ages 2, 5, & 7) enrolled over the summer for Saturday classes. It was overall an excellent experience. The gym has a good amount of boy gymnasts which made it perfect for our boys to see the older ones and being able to add my youngest at roughly the same time every week made it perfect for our family. It is well run with knowledgable staff and instructors and having teens/young adults as instructors was an added bonus for us.
Timothy Defibaugh
4 years agoAbove the Bar is a fantastic place to learn gymnastics. You can tell they love what they do and care about the kids and helping them improve. The coaches and staff are all dedicated and take the time to focus on each student individually.