Zenith Gymnastics
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Zenith Gymnastics presents a highly polarized experience. It is lauded as an excellent, skill-building environment for children dedicated to competitive gymnastics, particularly under specific coaches like Tom, Stass, Lyuda, and Alex, fostering significant athletic growth and passion. However, for recreational, preschool, or new students, especially Black girls, the experience is severely problematic due to allegations of racial bias in instruction and advancement, significant hygiene issues (odor, dirt), lack of basic skill progression, insufficient coach attention, and inadequate supervision for all children.
Key Highlights
- ✓Strong coaching for competitive teams: Coaches Tom, Stass, Lyuda, and Alex are highly praised for their encouraging approach, dedication, and ability to foster significant skill development in team-level gymnasts.
- ✓Long-term athlete development: The gym demonstrates success in developing gymnasts from a young age (e.g., 3 years old) through to competitive team levels over multiple years.
- ✓Competitive team environment: The boys' team is described as competitive, with members who are nice and friendly.
- ✓Family-friendly amenities: A clean play area is available for younger siblings (babies/toddlers) to use while parents watch older children.
Standout Features
- ⭐Experienced competitive coaches: Coaches Tom, Stass, Lyuda, and Alex are specifically highlighted as highly effective for advanced students.
- ⭐Competitive team program: The gym offers a strong program for dedicated gymnasts.
- ⭐Children's play area: A clean play area is available for younger siblings, allowing parents to watch older children.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Parents of Black daughters should closely observe how different children are treated and if equal attention and opportunities are provided, due to explicit claims of racial bias.
- →Inspect cleanliness: Thoroughly check the gym, parent viewing areas, and play areas for cleanliness before committing, especially if hygiene is a priority.
- →Monitor coach engagement: For recreational or preschool classes, observe if coaches are actively teaching and engaging with *all* children, or primarily focused on a select few.
- →Consider private coaching alternatives: If seeking specific skill development for recreational students without team aspirations, be aware that private lessons here may not yield desired results.
- →Plan for sibling entertainment: If bringing younger children, utilize the dedicated play area.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Alleged racial bias and inequity: Serious accusations of favoring 'white boys' and 'certain color kids' for advancement and team placement, with 'black girls pushed to the side' and reportedly receiving less instruction and conditioning.
- ⚠Poor hygiene and maintenance: Multiple reports of a 'terribly stinky' gym, dirty visiting room windows (obstructing parent view), and toys/floors needing a 'serious deep clean'.
- ⚠Lack of supervision and instruction in recreational classes: Coaches are reportedly distracted (comforting scared kids, dealing with unruly kids, or talking amongst themselves), leading to insufficient teaching and parents having to supervise other children.
- ⚠No skill progression for recreational/preschool students: Children in preschool or recreational classes reportedly make 'no improvement' even after 'almost a whole year' and fail to learn basic skills, despite private lessons.
- ⚠Child harassment unaddressed: Reports of children being harassed by other kids with 'nothing done' by staff.
- ⚠'Drop-in daycare' perception: Parents reportedly treat the facility as a childcare service, neglecting supervision while on phones/laptops.
Price & Value
Poor value for recreational/preschool classes: Reviewers reported no skill improvement despite long-term enrollment (almost a year) and even paid private lessons yielding no results. Implied high value for competitive team members due to reported skill growth and enjoyment, though no specific pricing details are provided.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations mentioned.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No explicit crowd levels are mentioned, but coach distraction and parents treating it like 'drop-in daycare' might imply periods of high attendance or insufficient staff-to-student ratio, leading to supervision gaps.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features mentioned. Concerns raised about lack of staff intervention for child harassment.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Parents of Black girls seeking equitable instruction and advancement: Due to explicit claims of racial bias and being 'pushed to the side'.
- • Parents prioritizing consistent basic skill development in recreational/preschool classes: If expecting attentive coaching and skill progression for all students.
- • Those sensitive to strong odors or hygiene issues: The gym is reported to 'stink terribly' and be generally unclean.
- • Parents expecting active staff supervision of all children: Especially in recreational areas, as staff may be distracted and other parents neglect supervision.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Preschool Gymnastics
1 class/week: $75/month, 2 classes/week: $131.25/monthDuration: Monthly
Designed for little movers, these fun-filled sessions introduce young children to the world of gymnastics through creative play, guided exploration, and age-appropriate skill-building. Each class focuses on developing essential motor skills like balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility—all while learning to follow instructions, take turns, and build confidence in a safe and nurturing environment. Caring coaches create a positive, playful atmosphere where learning feels like fun and every accomplishment is celebrated—big or small.
Includes:
- •creative play
- •guided exploration
- •age-appropriate skill-building
- •obstacle courses
- •tumbling basics
- •climbing
- •jumping
- •interactive games
Star Prep Gymnastics
1 class/week: $90/month, 2 classes/week: $157.50/monthDuration: Monthly
The perfect bridge between preschool gymnastics and beginner-level classes, designed specifically for energetic and curious 5-year-olds. This class combines the fun and creativity of preschool gymnastics with the structure and skill-building of the beginner program. Young gymnasts will explore exciting new skills on bars, beam, floor, and vault, while developing strength, coordination, and confidence. Athletes are prepared for beginner classes or a strong gymnastics foundation.
Includes:
- •playful drills
- •engaging activities
- •structured progressions
- •skills on bars, beam, floor, and vault
Beginner Girls Gymnastics
1 class/week: $90/month, 2 classes/week: $157.50/monthDuration: Monthly
Classes are all about building a strong foundation in a fun, positive, and encouraging environment. Perfect for kids new to the sport or still mastering the basics. Focuses on developing core gymnastics skills—like rolls, handstands, cartwheels, bridges, and basic balance techniques—through engaging drills, creative challenges, and active games. Experienced coaches guide each child through age-appropriate progressions that build strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence.
Includes:
- •core gymnastics skills (rolls, handstands, cartwheels, bridges, basic balance techniques)
- •engaging drills
- •creative challenges
- •active games
- •age-appropriate progressions
Beginner Boys Gymnastics
1 class/week: $90/month, 2 classes/week: $157.50/monthDuration: Monthly
Classes are all about building a strong foundation in a fun, positive, and encouraging environment. Perfect for kids new to the sport or still mastering the basics. Focuses on developing core gymnastics skills—like rolls, handstands, cartwheels, bridges, and basic balance techniques—through engaging drills, creative challenges, and active games. Experienced coaches guide each child through age-appropriate progressions that build strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence.
Includes:
- •core gymnastics skills (rolls, handstands, cartwheels, bridges, basic balance techniques)
- •engaging drills
- •creative challenges
- •active games
- •age-appropriate progressions
Advanced Girls Gymnastics
1 class/week: $110/month, 2 classes/week: $192.50/monthDuration: Monthly
Designed for experienced athletes ready to refine their technique, expand their skill set, and push their performance to the next level. Led by expert coaches, these classes focus on advanced tumbling, complex bar and beam combinations, high-difficulty vaults, and precise artistry on floor. Skill tracking assessments are conducted every 6–8 weeks to evaluate mastery, introduce targeted drills, and set clear, personalized goals.
Includes:
- •advanced tumbling
- •complex bar and beam combinations
- •high-difficulty vaults
- •precise artistry on floor
- •skill tracking assessments
Advanced Boys Gymnastics
1 class/week: $110/month, 2 classes/week: $192.50/monthDuration: Monthly
Designed for experienced athletes ready to refine their technique, expand their skill set, and push their performance to the next level. Led by expert coaches, these classes focus on advanced tumbling, complex bar and beam combinations, high-difficulty vaults, and precise artistry on floor. Skill tracking assessments are conducted every 6–8 weeks to evaluate mastery, introduce targeted drills, and set clear, personalized goals.
Includes:
- •advanced tumbling
- •complex bar and beam combinations
- •high-difficulty vaults
- •precise artistry on floor
- •skill tracking assessments
Tumbling and Strength (Coed)
$110/monthDuration: 1 class/week, Monthly
Offers strength and flexibility training, as well as basic gymnastics and tumbling. Works with beginners through advanced at each individual’s own pace.
Includes:
- •strength training
- •flexibility training
- •basic gymnastics
- •tumbling
Pre-Team Girls (Invitation Only)
$250/monthDuration: 6 hours/week, Monthly
An invitation-only program for girls showing potential for competitive gymnastics.
Pre-Team Boys (Invitation Only)
$225/monthDuration: 2 classes/week, Monthly
An invitation-only program for boys showing potential for competitive gymnastics.
Home School Gymnastics
Pay by the class styleDuration: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Structured and open gym style classes for homeschooling children.
Includes:
- •structured classes
- •open gym style classes
Open Gym
Not specifiedDuration: Not specified
An opportunity to come out with friends and have fun in the gym. Coaches are around to keep you safe while you work on your skills, play in the pit, or even jump on the trampoline!
Includes:
- •access to gym equipment
- •trampolines
- •foam pit
- •coach supervision
Competitive Gymnastics Teams
Not specifiedDuration: Not specified
Strongest competitive gymnastics teams in Charlotte, dominating the competition and outperforming others. Led by award-winning coaches like Stanislav Savitch (Boys Team) and Alex Shlyuyev (Girls Team).
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Summer Camp
June to August
Not specified
The perfect way for your child to have fun while learning gymnastics! Includes a special summer camp just for preschoolers.
Winter Camp
During school winter break
Not specified
Allows children to learn gymnastics, play games, and even do arts and crafts!
Birthday Parties
Booked by arrangement
Not specified
Two hour long parties with an hour and fifteen minutes spent in the gym. Kids can play games, jump on trampolines, crawl through the foam pit, and have a blast!
Fun Meet
Annual, Every Summer
Not specified
An opportunity for children to shine and show off routines they've been practicing in class. Gymnasts complete routines, receive a score, and even a medal.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Coaches are around to keep students safe while they work on skills.
- • Skill tracking assessments are conducted every 6–8 weeks for Advanced Gymnastics to evaluate mastery and introduce targeted drills.
- • The Star Skills program tracks gymnast progress, with skills assessed out of 5 stars (1 star: just starting, 5 stars: mastered). To move up a level, gymnasts must have an average star rating of at least 4.5 stars.
📅Booking Policy
- • New students can enroll in a class through the Fullout app or by letting the front desk know after a trial class.
- • Tuition is drafted on the 1st business day of each month for School Year recreational classes.
- • Tuition is drafted on the 5th of each month for Summer recreational classes and Pre-Team classes.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 6 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Tiana T
2 months agoCoaches are too busy comforting the kids who are too scared and need to go home until they are ready or too busy with the unruly kids to actually teach. WAYYYYY too many times I had to check someone else’s child becasue their parents failed to do so. Parents sit in the car or are too busy on their phones and laptops to do so. They treat this place like a drop in daycare. The amount of times I’ve seen a brat harass my child and nothing is done is ridiculous. My child simply wants to learn a cartwheel. One simple thing. I even paid for privates. Yet nothing. It appears you have to be a certain color or have the same views as the people who work there in order for your kid to advance to the next level or else your kid is just there for fun, they are not going to learn or grow in their craft. They mainly cater towards white boys and push the black girls to the side. Ive seen the girls team practice and the boys team practice and the boys get more instruction and conditioning than the girls. It’s a shame because the girls are all black, I wonder how it would be if the girls were white.
Darlene
2 months agoI take my child here for the preschool class. It’s ok but I don’t see any improvement even after all this time. Maybe if the gym didn’t stink so much and the windows of the visiting room was clean so that parents could actually see out of them, maybe I will be able to see what my child is working on. Instead, the gym stinks terribly, the toys upstairs all need a serious deep clean along with the floors and windows. I’m not sure of the qualifications of the teacher as my child has still not learned any of the basic skills that I thought she would’ve learned by now. The teachers spend more time talking with each other than with the children. I am actually disappointed in this. It seems as if only certain color kids are advancing and given attention so that they actually make a team. Maybe it is a popularity contest with the parents, but it doesn’t seem right not fair. At the almost a whole year, my child is still not advancing or doing any skills. There are the basics of the basics however, the teacher gloats on the other students and ensure they receive more time so they can earn their stars and recognition for the team.
Yelena Neizvestny
9 months agoOur son has been going to this gym for 6 years. Started when he was 3. He is on the team now. Spends 12 hours a week and enjoys every minute of his practice. Coach Tom and Coach Stass are very strong and encouraging. The team is competitive. All boys on the team are nice and friendly.
EliseNick Esasky
9 months agoAfter a couple of years taking dance, our daughter wanted to try gymnastics and she hasn't looked back. She has a true passion for this sport and I thank Zenith and her coaches for all the time/care they have poured into her. We have been here for 3 years so far (1 rec year, 1 pre-team year, and 1 Bronze team year). It is WILD to me how much our child grows in her skills here, especially under Coach Lyuda, who she has spent the most time with thus far. As the hours increase and she has started to work with Coach Alex too, our daughter's love for the sport just keeps getting stronger. Seeing her leave practice proud and so full of energy is the best feeling. THANK YOU ZENITH!
Jose Molina
a year agoI love this place Zenith gymnastics is the best if your looking for a place to do gymnastics I recommend on Tuesday it is my daughters first class their and when we checked the inside it was wonderful if you bring your whole family your dad can go in the play area with your baby/toddler sibling while your moms watching you I love it and so does my daughter my daughter now is going to learn a back walkover the kids play area was so clean and perfect 🤩 🩷