Seattle Gymnastics Academy - Ballard

My son attended SGA Ballard for almost two years. He finished all but a couple of the level 1 skills the first year and then made no progress after that. In the two years at SGA he had many different coaches and often the assigned coach was absent and a substitute was used. Some of the coaches clearly didn't want to teach boys and transitioned to girls gymnastics as soon as they could. My son made very little progress and became discouraged after a year. It was so boring but I made him stick with it because I kept telling him it would get better. We emailed one of his coaches and asked for help. My son lost interest and started just talking with other boys and when I asked the coach why he wasn't progressing they blamed my son for not paying attention. I agreed with them for a while and punished him for talking and I feel so guilty I did that now. In hindsight I'm so furious they blamed him for their failure to coach. Because after he went back to listening clearly and being a good leader for the younger boys, the class was still the same crap with no progress or coaching and of course that coach who blamed him left to go be with the girls. We emailed again and asked for a private lesson to help him progress and no private was ever offered. We kept asking his coaches what he needed to improve on and the answers were vague and not encouraging. We bought a pull up bar at home and worked with him to improve. My son is very tall and we never expected him to become a professional gymnast, but after almost two years of the same crap, no development, and constant switching of coaches I've had enough and I'm so angry we stuck with it as long as we did. I strongly recommend if you have a boy that you look elsewhere. My son learned more in a weeklong parks and recreation gymnastics camp than he did at two years at SGA. If you have a girl, I can say they do a good job with girls. I've watched many, many classes and girls do well here as the coaches really care about the girls. I recognize that boys' gymnastics is difficult because until puberty boys don't have the muscle mass to complete complex skills while girls can twirl and dance. But, that doesn't excuse the lack of care and lack of coaching and the EXCESSIVE amount of coaching changes and substitutes and general disregard for my son's progress. I spent over $3400 on this place and my son couldn't show you barely anything he learned. The boy gymnastics at SGA Ballard is a waste of time and a waste of a lot of money.

Went for the first time, the kiddo I was babysitting had so much fun. Definitely great for a rainy day activity

The best place I've yet found in Seattle to bring a young kid where they can do just about whatever they want. This place would have been a dream when I was a kid. Foam pits, trampolines, bouncy floors, rope swings, rings, and large foam blocks in vinyl for climbing. I just wish they were open to the public longer than 1 hour.

Dec 17-2024: I’m writing a second review and I would post multiple 5 star reviews for having a special Olympic program that was added in July earlier this year! The program is open for neurodiverse children. There are 4 children with a coach (Coach Katelynn) and they do an amazing job giving individuals the chance to shine and transform ! I feel like when my child comes here she is totally a different and happier child! I want to especially thank the front desk (Julianna, Riley Kate, Hannah) and coaches Elaine and Ashlyn for all of their hard work and support! This place is amazing, starting with the front desk Person Melia,who is so helpful and patient, taking her time to explain, always having that positive attitude.Also they have professional coaches, always supportive and passing positive comments for my kid.

The place is great. The staff is awesome. The WiFi is a dream while watching the kids tumble and twirl. I'd give a solid 5 stars if the patent seating was better. I know a nice aluminum bleacher is perfectly adequate and I doubt many complain to the desk. But we all hate the bleachers...and complain to each other about the cold back pain after a long day at work. I'll bet we could all fit on something more comfortable. Still love the place though!