Top Charlotte Kids Gyms
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This week I’m going to tell you about membership-only gyms. In the Charlotte-area, we have Gymboree, My Gym, the Little Gym, and the YMCA, just to name a few. We’ve been fortunate enough to belong to three of the above options (at different times), but today I’m just going to give you a quick overview of what you might expect from Gymboree and My Gym.
Gymboree
3419 Toringdon Way, Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 759-8521
Gymboree offers space for children’s themed parties & hands-on classes ranging from music to sports. If you’re wondering if you need a membership, the answer is yes. Gymboree is an open gym concept and has age-appropriate activities every 15 minutes with a Gymboree teacher on the Play Floor. They can also throw your child the world’s best birthday party with a great big gift in it for you: no cleanup.
My Gym
5110 Park Rd #2d, Charlotte, NC 28209,(704) 522-6966
9852 Rea Rd # A2, Charlotte, NC 28277, 704) 543-0682
My Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 13 years of age develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. We have over 200 locations in more than 25 countries offering structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports, and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility, and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence, and self-esteem. Our state-of-the-art facility, extensively trained staff, award-winning class programs, and excellent student/teacher ratio have earned My Gym the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.
Little Gym of Charlotte
2935 Providence Rd Suite 206, Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 365-3838
At The Little Gym of Charlotte on Providence, they specialize in unique educational classes that revolve around active play. Join for some Private Gym Access sessions that will allow your child to hone their gymnastics skills through individualized coaching with an experienced instructor. Each lesson is 30 minutes long, and Semi-Private Lessons can accommodate up to 4 kids!
Price
This is not for the faint of heart. These gyms require a one-time, lifetime membership/enrollment fee as well as a monthly fee. Many times they run specials or coupons so ask before signing up. For the locations we’ve attended, we were lucky to sign up at times when they waived the enrollment fee. Typically the enrollment fee is between $50-$75. My Gym’s current monthly rate is $79 and Gymboree is $68 (although this goes down to $51 once you’ve been enrolled for 6 months). Again, ALWAYS make sure to ask about specials or promotions that they might currently be running.
What you get for the price
The monthly membership fee generally includes (1) class per week as well as access to their gym during “open gym” or “free play” times which are unstructured and great for hot afternoons. In addition to movement classes for younger children, both places offer art instruction and basic sports instruction. Gymboree also has music classes while My Gym offers gymnastics and karate.
Which program is best for your child(ren) based on age-appropriateness
Gymboree offers classes from ages 0-5 years. My Gym’s programs are for children 6 weeks – 13 years. When my son was younger, we attended Gymboree. At around 20 months, I decided that he had outgrown their equipment and classes so we moved to My Gym. Gymboree is a safe environment for crawlers and new walkers. My Gym has more advanced structures and equipment which are excellent for children who are comfortable walking, running, jumping, swinging, etc.
What your child(ren) will do in class
Both programs offer classes with predictable structure, songs, and activities. They begin with greetings/circle time and then move into the instruction of a new skill, followed by free play, imaginative play, story/song, and then good-byes. Gymboree has fun parachute activities while My Gym has more gross motor, gymnastics-type skills.
Where
My Gym has locations in Ballantyne/Blakeney and SouthPark. Gymboree is also located in Ballantyne with their second Charlotte-area location in LakeNorman.
Extras
Try before you buy! Many of these membership-only gyms offer a free trial class. Some also offer open gym times for groups, where you pay for an hour or two of playtime.
Joining a gym can be a very rewarding experience for both you and your child. It’s a great way to beat the heat but also an amazing way to make friends and have a little fun. For my son, it was a place where he was able to safely play, grow, learn, and develop his body and mind; definitely worth a little extra money!