FAQs  

if you have other questions please contact us

Q What's involved in Formers class?

A. The formers class is for ex-gymnasts that could at least do backflips and would like to carry on with out the pressure of competitive training regime, perhaps increase their skill level or just improve the skills they already have. Ex gymnasts come in all age's from about 12  to 25 years old, male and female. We predominately work on Tumbling, a little Double Mini Tramp and occasionally some Sports Acro work. sessions at present are Saturday 1:30 to 4pm and cost £5.00 per session. You will need to become a member of Scottish Gymnastics and DGC2k, for recreational membership the cost is £22.00 per annum which includes sports insurance cover. For your first session the Club's insurance will cover you in the event of an accident, there after you will need to become a member. Dress is Shorts and a top for males and leotard and shorts for females.

Q What are the membership costs

A. DGC2k annual membership is £5.00

Scottish Gymnastics Membership annually from 1st October to 30th September are as follows

Temporary 13 weeks                  £9.00

Recreational (non-competitive) £17.00

Competitive                                 £34.00

Q.  Hi I was wondering if you can tell me if you have any classes to suit my daughter? She will be 7 in May and has never done gymnastics before.

A. Our club currently only offers classes for children who have some talent for the sport, who are willing to train a minimum of three sessions per week and would like to compete in the sport. If your daughter is very keen you can take her to a Saturday afternoon session (1pm-5.30pm) to the Lynch Sports Centre to watch. If she would still like to join come and speak to one of the coaches and they can assess your daughter's ability and potential for gymnastics. the coach can then advise you which would be the best path for your daughter to take in gymnastics.

Q. How old do you have to be to start Gymnastics?

A. The minimum age for gymnastics varies a little according to the child's maturity. The youngest age however would be 5 years old.

Q. What are the age limits for each grade?

A. There are no upper age limits for regional or national grades. The lower age limits effect mostly the first grade, grade 14. Gymnasts have to be 8 years old in the year of the competition. Thereafter gymnasts are allowed to take only one grade per year. You are however allowed to skip a grade if the gymnast has developed faster than average. The elite or compulsory grades have both a lower and an upper age limit. Compulsory 5 is for gymnasts who will be 8 years old in the year of competition, compulsory 4 for 9year olds, compulsory 3 for 10 year olds and compulsory 2 for 11 year olds. You are allowed however, to take the compulsory grade one year out of age which makes a lot of sense for children who started their training a little later especially for compulsory 3 and 2.

Q. How many training sessions per week does a Gymnast have to train?

A. It depends on the level of competition that a gymnast prepares for. For the regional grades and level 6 voluntary competitions I would expect a gymnast to train between 9 and 12 hours per week. As the gymnasts progress into more challenging competitions training times should be gradually increased to up to 25 hours per week. Gymnasts who train for approx 25 hours per week would be aiming to compete at British Championship level.

Q. What are the start up costs. ie. Leotards, track suites, Hand guards, chalk, Membership fees etc

A. For all Gymnasts you have to become a member of both the club Annual fee £5.00 and the governing body Scottish Gymnastics, annual fee £17 recreational, £35 for competitive.

Training leotards can be bought for as little as £15 from various companies online. Club leotard are approx. £25 and need to be bought for their first competition.

For children who are becoming members of the artistic section loops and wrist bands are necessary from the start whereas hand guards for the bars will only be required one or two years after starting out. These items can be purchased through a link on our website to gymnastics express where you can also check current prices.

Monthly fees can be found in the Welcome Pack under membership