Invitation-Only Gymnastics Classes

The Iowa Gym-Nest has a number of programs for talented and gifted students. Children must possess excellent strength, flexibility, listening skills, and show a genuine interest in the sport gymnastics. These classes include:

Advanced Tumble Birds | 3-4 years | Invitation Only | 1 hour

This co-ed class is for students who demonstrate exceptional skill comprehension, strength, flexibility, and listening skills. Students who pass through Ducklings, Baby Jays, and Tiny Toucans may be invited to join this class as well. This is an accelerated learning track and students will spend most of their class time in the “big gym” working on more advanced skills. 3 year-olds may take 1 or 2 classes per week, 4 year-olds take 2 classes per week.

• Levels covered: Lil’ Flamingos

• Apparel: Leotard is preferred for girls. Athletic shorts & tucked in shirt for boys. Socks or bare feet. No skirts, dresses, or tights. Long hair tied up.

Pre-Team Girls, 5-6 years | Invitation Only | 3 hours

Girls who complete all the Lil’ Flamingo skills may be invited to join our Pre-Team class which meets twice per week for 90 minutes each. This class prepares the kids to enter into our competitive Team program. Students are challenged with more difficult skills, strength, and flexibility training. The curriculum for this class is set up for one-year. Most students start in this group in June and stay in it through the following May. At the successful completion of this class, the students are ready to move to our Prep Team! 2 classes/week are required.

• Levels covered: Parakeets

• Apparel: Leotard and bare feet. No skirts, dresses, or tights. Long hair tied up.

Participation in these gymnastic programs is by invitation only.

If you would like your child evaluated for one of our Invitation Only Classes, call the office at 319-341-2229 or e-mail Erika Briscoe (erikab@iowagymnest.com) for TOPS/Fast Track Inquiries, Kassi Todryk (kassit@iowagymnest.com) for XCEL Inquiries, or Jayden Roth (jaydenr@iowagymnest.com) for other girls inquiries.

The Iowa Gym-Nest Fast Track Program

The Iowa Gym-Nest offers a Fast Track program that focuses on developing a strong foundation that focuses on strength, flexibility, and solid basics for young girls who show an aptitude for the sport of gymnastics. This program also works on progressions that will allow athletes to work towards participating in USAG’s TOP’s (Talent Opportunity Program), Hopes, and Elite levels. Athletes who participate in the Fast Track program are expected to progress more quickly, show a high level of commitment, and meet group expectations during bi-annual evaluations. Fast track groups offer a great starting place for young gymnasts who stand out. Some gymnasts that go through our fast track program go on to become elite gymnasts and National team members. Others continue on to be successful gymnasts in our development program, many even obtaining college scholarships!

The Iowa Gym-Nest offers a Fast Track program that focuses on developing a strong

foundation that focuses on strength, flexibility, and solid basics for young girls who

show an aptitude for the sport of gymnastics. This program also works on

progressions that will allow athletes to work towards participating in USAG’s TOP’s

(Talent Opportunity Program), Hopes, and Elite levels. Athletes who participate in

the Fast Track program are expected to progress more quickly, show a high level of

commitment, and meet group expectations during bi-annual evaluations. Fast track

groups offer a great starting place for young gymnasts who stand out. Some

gymnasts that go through our fast track program go on to become elite gymnasts

and National team members. Others continue on to be successful gymnasts in our

development program, many even obtaining college scholarships!

All Fast track groups are by invitation only. Our youngest athletes in the Fast Track program begin by participating in the following groups:

Tiny Fast Track:

Tiny Fast Track is a group for 4 and 5 year olds. This group meets 3 or 4 hours per week, year round. This group is an introduction to the Fast Track program. The athletes in this group will focus on strength, flexibility, and beginning skill acquisition with technique playing an important role in their progressions and development.

Junior Fast Track:

Junior Fast Track is a group for 6 and 7 year olds. This group meets between 6-9 hours per week, year round. In this group, the expectations for the athletes are raised and they will begin developing more advanced skills while continuing to develop focused strength and flexibility exercises.