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Stars Gymnastics is the PLACE to Be
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Posted by Jason Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:27:20 PST
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0 responses 0 comments As a parent, do you ever have those moments when you feel like you’re completely surrounded by wild animals? Twelve little monkeys jumping on a bed, laughing hyenas heckling in the living room or how about that little koala-like toddler who won’t unlatch from your leg even to watch Dora the Explorer?

If you have children who have energy to expend – which basically means, if you have children– you may want to start looking for ways to not only wear the adorable little suckers out before bed time, but to provide them with an environment that will benefit them physically, mentally and socially. So, where could this refuge from the wild be? Try taming your wild bunch at Stars Gymnastics Training Center.
Stars Gymnastics began in 1996 when Melissa and Vanessa Klass’ grandpa saw potential in their gymnastic skills. Grandpa Larry Wiggins, who was a former curl competitor, saw gold medals in his granddaughters’ future and showing his true competitive nature decided to hire none other than a former Olympian to run a gym where his granddaughters’ futures could be realized. With 30 kids, Stars Gymnastics Training Center entered the competitive realm of gymnastics.
Today, Stars is 35,000 square feet of pure physical energy and lots of structured fun. On any given day 300 kids will walk through the doors of the gymnasium. They’ll twist, tumble, and twirl for hours on end and walk back out only to look forward to their next visit. The gym has been so successful they expanded to Houston, Texas where USA 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton’s daughters are stars in training.
And while Stars has certainly maintained their competitive edge (just look at all the banners in their gymnasium) you don’t have to be a future Olympian to take advantage of all their classes.
“Stars gym is pretty much for any kid that has energy to expend and is interested in what they can learn here,” says Theresa Klass, Melissa and Vanessa’s mom and manager of the gym. Whether they are 18 months old and just learning to walk or 18 years old looking for independence and a good workout, Stars’ members have the opportunity to learn and even compete in gymnastics, tumbling, cheerleading and trampoline, which became an Olympic sport in 1999.
Eighteen- month-olds can begin with “Mommy and Me” type classes where the little ones can come and romp around with their parent or guardian by their side. Then, once they’re over the potty training stage, they can begin learning to tumble and walk the balance beam. From there the kids can participate at a number of levels from the compulsory level which means every participant performs the same routine, up to the elite level where routine is choice and the next stop could be Olympic try-outs.
Not only is there an array of activities for children of all ages, but there are also a number of benefits to the programs offered through Stars.

“Give me a H-E-A-L-T-H-Y!”
Name one overweight or under-toned gymnast. Exactly. You don’t have to have a rocket scientist’s IQ to know that gymnastics keeps the body strong – as does cheerleading, tumbling and trampoline gymnastics. “We have been here for more than ten years and in that time span I truly feel we have developed hundreds of healthy kids,” says Theresa.
Not only that, but many of the kids develop a love of athletics and go on to participate in league, high school and collegiate sports. “Gymnastics is a great foundation for athletics. And it amazes me every time I look at a school sports roster and recognize names of our former members,” says Theresa. And for those kids who are in seasonal sports, gymnastics can be a great cross-training on their off season, helping them maintain their strength, focus and agility.

From Back-bends to the Honor Roll
Like many other physical activities, what the kids at Stars are doing not only helps them develop physically, but also mentally. Theresa has seen many of her Star gymnasts become star students reaching the top of their class and excelling in academics.
Heather Millard, whose daughters Morgan, age 10, and Sabrina, age 13, have together totaled 8 years at Stars, has seen the benefits as well. “I can’t think of a gymnast who doesn’t do well in school. The training they receive here really helps the kids learn about focus and time management. Plus, it gives them something to do and keeps them out of trouble.”  The kids also learn how to be disciplined, set and achieve goals.
And Stars is so supportive of ensuring that their kids do well in school they even have a homework room that kids can use before practice or while waiting for their siblings to get out of practice.

Star Social Skills
The learning doesn’t stop there. While learning how to balance on beams and dismount with grace, they also learn important social skills like patience and taking turns – twelve little ones jumping on a trampoline would surely lead to one falling down and bumping their head. “Listening skills are a big element of what the kids learn,” says Theresa. That’s not a skill you’d like your kid to have, is it?
And one of the most important lessons children learn, is how to work well with one another in a team environment – a lesson they will need to know in school, work and beyond. In a competitive environment kids will learn that no matter how good you are, there may be times when the medal or title isn’t yours – but that shouldn’t stop you from motivating others and staying positive.
All these important lessons can transcend the trampoline and filter into your kids’ behavior at home and school, and well into the future as they grow into adults. And the best part is that it’s all under the guise of having a good time.

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