Gymnastics is a journey that can start at any age — from a toddler’s first tumble to an adult’s first cartwheel. At the Y, that journey grows with you: from preschool foundations through recreational, specialty and competitive levels, each step building strength, flexibility, balance and confidence through USA Gymnastics’ proven progressions. Guided by professional instructors in a supportive, encouraging community, gymnasts don’t just develop skills — they build the confidence and character to keep growing, in the gym and beyond.
Class availability, age ranges and eligibility requirements vary by location — check with your local Y to confirm offerings and prerequisites.
Our preschool gymnastics classes give your child are a great way to introduce your child to developing listening, balance and motor skills.
This class is for gymnasts who are ready for more challenging skills but are too young to move to recreational levels.
From beginners to advanced, the Y offers recreational gymnastics for every skill level in a fun, supportive environment.
We offer unique and dynamic ways for athletes to develop strength, coordination and creativity beyond traditional gymnastics.
Gymnasts build strength and confidence on our competitive team while competing against private clubs and YMCAs countywide.
Beyond regular classes, gymnasts can choose Open Gym for free play and practice, or Clinics for extended, focused time mastering more challenging skills.
Enjoy the gym with our gymnastics coaches leading safe activities then celebrate with presents and food in a separate party space!
Accompanied by a caregiver, children learn to be comfortable in a gymnasium setting while setting the stage for a healthy lifestyle. This safe, fun and supportive environment enhances motor development and eye-hand coordination allowing your child to develop both physical and mental skills through various skill-focused rotations and free playtime.
Children learn to be comfortable in a gymnasium setting while setting the stage for a healthy lifestyle. A caregiver is required to attend but encouraged to be more “hands off” as your child learns to be more independent in the gymnastics center. This safe, fun and supportive environment enhances motor development and eye-hand coordination allowing your child to develop both physical and mental skills through various skill-focused rotations and free playtime.
Preschoolers will increase their confidence transitioning into an independent class and learning new skills on gymnastics equipment including trampoline, bars, beam and floor. Children must be able to separate from their parents and follow directions from a coach. Obstacle courses, parachutes, songs and other tools are used to develop balance, coordination, flexibility and strength through various skill-focused rotations to enhance motor development and eye-hand coordination.
Expanding on skills learned in Preschool Gymnastics, this advanced, fast paced class allows participants to explore vault, bars, and beam equipment to increase comfort and familiarity while enhancing motor development and hand-eye coordination. This class will prepare gymnasts for higher levels in our recreational program. You must have coaches approval to join this class.
This class is for preschool aged gymnasts that already achieved all required skills in Hotshots 1. Here they can continue working on more challenging skills and preparing for higher level recreational programming. You must have coaches approval to join this class.
This class is for preschool aged gymnasts that already achieved all required skills in Hotshots 2. This fast-paced class prepares participants for recreational gymnastics, allowing participants to explore vault, bars and beam equipment while enhancing technical skills. You must have coaches approval to join this class.
This entry-level class is perfect for young athletes just starting their gymnastics journey. Designed with beginners in mind, the program emphasizes proper technique while helping participants build strength, flexibility, and confidence. Through safe and engaging skill stations, children develop foundational gymnastics skills in a fun, supportive environment that promotes physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development.
We offer beginner-level classes for coed groups, girls and boys:
Coed & Girls Beginner classes focus on Vault, Bars, Beam and Floor.
Boys Beginner classes focus on Vault, Rings, Floor and Parallel Bars.
Building on the skills learned in our beginner classes, Level 1 gymnastics helps participants continue developing strength, flexibility, and technique. Through a variety of safe, fun, and structured stations, gymnasts refine foundational movements while supporting their overall physical and emotional well-being.
All Level 1 classes require a coach evaluation prior to enrollment.
We offer level 1 classes for coed groups, girls and boys:
Coed & Girls Level 1: Gymnasts continue to explore vault, bars, beam and floor equipment to increase comfort, familiarity, skill and technique while progressing through level 1.
Boys Level 1: Male gymnasts progressing through level 1 continue to explore vault, rings, floor, bars and p-bars equipment to increase comfort, familiarity as well as skill and technique.
Designed for intermediate gymnasts, Level 2 builds on the foundation developed in earlier levels. Participants must confidently perform beginner-level 1 skills and routines to enroll. This class focuses on advancing technique, form and strength through more challenging skills on all gymnastics apparatus.
All Level 2 classes require a coach evaluation prior to enrollment.
We offer level 2 classes for coed groups, girls and boys:
Coed & Girls Level 2: Gymnasts should be able to confidently and safely perform all skills from the Beginner and Level 1 classes, both on equipment and in floor routines, while continuing to refine technique and begin incorporating intermediate strength training exercises.
Boys Level 2: Male gymnasts continue developing strength through intermediate conditioning exercises and should demonstrate safe execution of all beginner-level 1 skills on apparatus and floor. Focus remains on enhancing technique and preparing for more advanced progressions.
Level 3 serves as a prerequisite for all advanced noncompetitive and pre-team gymnastics programs. In this class, gymnasts continue to build upon the strength, technique and skills developed in earlier levels, working toward more complex movements with confidence and control.
A coach evaluation is required for all Level 3 participants.
We offer level 3 classes for coed groups, girls and boys:
Coed & Girls Level 3: In this progressive class, gymnasts should demonstrate the ability to follow routines and choreography with consistency, building confidence and precision on both equipment and floor exercises as they work toward more advanced skills.
Boys Level 3: Male gymnasts in this advanced class are expected to confidently follow routines and choreography, showing strong execution and control on all apparatus and floor exercises as they continue progressing toward higher-level skills.
This is the highest-level recreational class for gymnasts who want to master advanced skills without participating in competition. Participants must demonstrate proficiency in all skills from previous levels and successfully complete a pre-team evaluation. This class focuses on refining technique, strength, and performance quality at a high level in a supportive, noncompetitive environment.
A coach evaluation is required for enrollment in all advanced non-competitive classes.
Our tumbling classes teach students techniques that reduce stress on joints while providing step-by-step instruction on how to create and maintain momentum to help increase a student’s power safely while tumbling. Like other forms of gymnastics, tumbling fosters physical strength, flexibility and stamina.
Beginners
Designed for beginner tumblers to learn proper technique, increase strength and flexibility. Tumblers are introduced to proper body positioning and terminology as they learn about the muscle groups responsible for each tumbling skill and the importance of sequencing and timing. Students will learn forward and backward rolls, handstand, handstand to a bridge, standing backbend to a bridge and a kick over from a bridge.
Intermediate
Intermediate tumbling students will build on skills, strength and flexibility gained in beginning tumbling. Students will be taught back handsprings in staged progressions, utilizing specialized equipment and develop a strong round off rebound. Conditioning emphasis is placed on shoulder and back flexibility as well as leg strength which is all needed to progress through curriculum. Coach evaluation required.
Advanced
Advanced tumbling students work on front tumbling and multiple trick skills and combinations. Tumblers refine their skills while adding multiple back handsprings, back handspring to a back tuck, back handspring to a layout and a layout full twist. Coach evaluation required.
In this non-competitive class, cheerleaders will learn the essential fundamentals of cheerleading including arm motions, jumps, stunts and key cheer terminology. Athletes will also develop proper technique and learn how to follow a routine sequence while incorporating basic tumbling skills like rolls, bridges, handstands and cartwheels. Stretching and conditioning are emphasized to help build the strength, flexibility and endurance needed for cheer performance.
Our parkour classes teach skills like vaulting, precisions, flips, climbing techniques and more. Students learn to break down complex movements into manageable steps, allowing them to progress safely and confidently. Parkour not only conditions the body to adapt, but also trains the mind to see the physical world in a whole new way.
Little Ninjas | Ages 3-5
Designed to match a preschoolers boundless energy, introduce your little ninja to parkour while working on coordination, speed, and balance while enhancing motor development and eye-hand coordination. Rotations on various gymnastic equipment teach children to run, vault, climb and roll over obstacles.
Beginner Parkour | Ages 5-17
Learn to safely maneuver through your environment in a fun and creative way using parkour techniques teach how to use your body and mind to overcome any obstacle they face. Students will build their agility, confidence, strength and flexibility in skill-focused rotations while learning to run, vault, flip, climb and roll over obstacles.
Intermediate Parkour | Ages 6-17
Your athlete will learn expand on techniques learned in Beginner parkour. Our coaches will focus on more advanced drills and each class will emphasize learning proper techniques and increasing strength, confidence and flexibility. Students will learn how to run, vault, flip, climb and roll over obstacles. The goal of these classes will be to teach students how to safely maneuver through their environment in a fun and creative way. Coach evaluation required.
Private and semi-private lessons provide individualized instruction to help achieve specific goals and get to the next level. This personalized focus helps gymnasts advance their skills at a rapid pace. Lessons provide skill or goal specific instruction to help gymnasts advance their skills at a rapid pace.
PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR GYMNASTICS DIRECTOR TO SCHEDULE A LESSON PRIOR TO PURCHASING PRIVATE LESSONS.
Designed to match a preschooler’s boundless energy, introduce your little ninja to parkour while working on coordination, speed, and balance while enhancing motor development and eye-hand coordination. Rotations on various gymnastic equipment teach children to run, vault, climb, and roll over obstacles.
The YMCA offers two distinct programs that follow the Junior Olympics programs. The first competitive program is called Compulsory Gymnastics and athletes perform the same routines at each event that are chosen by the United States Gymnastics Association (USAG).
Optional Gymnastics is more advanced and allows gymnasts to perform unique routines at competitive events. These competitive programs are for gymnasts Level 4-10 and participation is year-round.
Check with your branch’s Gymnastics Director for more information. All our team levels are year-round commitments and require evaluation.
Boys Competitive Teams start with our Level 4 all the way to Elite. This program is intended to build strength, skill, talent and drive to support gymnasts’ success in a competitive setting. This program competes among private clubs, local and abroad. In order to participate in this program children will be submitted to an evaluation based on skill level and level of dedication.
Check with your branch’s Gymnastics Director for more information. All our team levels are year-round commitments and require evaluation.
The Xcel teams compete at a level that matches their skills. There are five levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
Xcel teams compete against other YMCA’s and private clubs and is a year-round commitment that offers advanced development of skills and the comradery of a team environment.
Check with your branch’s Gymnastics Director for more information. All our team levels are year-round commitments and require evaluation.
TeamGym focuses on equipment such as floor, mini-trampoline and vault and is for a diverse array of ages, starting at 6 years old.
This program helps gymnasts develop floor routines consisting of tumbling passes and partner tricks and allows participation at the competitive level. TeamGym is a year-round program offered at the Dan McKinney Family YMCA.
For more information, contact Melina Bradley at mbradley@ymcasd.org.
Clinics are a great way to improve your gymnastic skills, too. With the extended time practicing, your child will be able to master and perfect their skills, especially those ones that are a little more difficult.
Open Gym is a time for gymnasts of all ages to jump, tumble, explore and practice their training outside of class. This is a great environment to meet new friends while working on new skills and enjoy the sport of gymnastics.
Bounce, swing and jump at our gymnastics party. Enjoy the gym with our gymnastics coaches leading safe activities then celebrate with presents and food in a separate party space!
At the Y, gymnastics is about more than sticking the landing. Our program creates a positive, encouraging environment where gymnasts of every age can build strength, confidence and coordination while learning what it means to work hard and support one another.
Whether it’s a toddler taking their first tumble or a teen training with our competitive team, every gymnast gets the coaching and support to keep progressing — one skill, one level, at a time.
Learn proper technique and progress through each level.
Try new things in an supportive, encouraging environment.
Cheer on fellow gymnasts and build camaraderie in every class.
Make friends and create great memories along the way.
Y members can save up to 25% on gymnastics programs with select Y memberships, plus enjoy even more ways for the whole family to stay active, connect and have fun. Find the membership that’s right for you!
Our ACCESS Financial Assistance is available to help make Y programs accessible to all.
Free trial classes are available at the following YMCA gymnastics locations:
For more information or to set up your free trial, please contact the Gymnastics Director of participating locations.
Our current class ratios are:
Check-in confirms your child is registered for the correct level — please bring a receipt if registering the day of the class. All gymnasts must complete a waiver before entering the facility (también disponible en español).
Parents/guardians are not permitted inside the gymnastics area. Each branch will have a specific area for spectators. It may be indoor or outdoor.
We are not allowing make-up classes at this time.
All requests are subject to director approval and may take three to five business days for approval.
All children and adults entering the gym must have a waiver on file. Find adult waivers here and minor waivers here.
Please note: pricing, duration and refund policies vary by location. Contact your location for details.
Learn more about parties at the Y.
Gymnasts must demonstrate all required skills at their current level before advancing.
Yes, for Hot Shots, Level 1 and above.
We have family membership options that include either one or two adults with children.
The YMCA of San Diego County offers programs to adults of all ages and types.
At the YMCA, your well-being and sense of belonging are at the heart of everything we do. Our membership plans provide options that allow you to choose the benefits that are ideal for you.
No matter your ability or experience, the Y is here to help support you every step of the way.
From the beaches to the mountains, YMCA has a camp for your children and your family, too!
At the Y we have Community Resources that are based on community need to connect you with information, support, assistance, and resources.
