Gymnastics Academy of Rockford

My daughter attended GAR off and on for a couple years, then committed to classes long term and was very happy. In the past year there were significant changes in staff, some new instructors for recreational students came in and there was a new coach that did not interact with my child, just the team gymnasts. My daughter went from being challenged in a variety of ways to only working on a few skills. Attention to individual students dropped as instructors would stand by and watch students complete tasks in general, as opposed to last fall when kids were given individual feedback and physical assistance learning new skills. While watching my daughter class, I was also struck by how harsh and unforgiving the new coach was behaving. She scared children around her, and was frequently seen verbally reprimanding team gymnasts instead of offering constructive criticism. Please remember, even though they are skilled gymnasts they are elementary school children often seen crying because they weren’t capable of meeting the standards of their new coach. My daughter was approached to try out for team after a mass exit of team families. I spoke to still current team moms about time commitment and financial expectations. They expressed frustration with the lack of communication ahead of time, schedule changes, and the secretive nature of team expenses before payment was declared and due. After talking with coaches and an office administrator, I felt even more uncomfortable about the lack of information they were willing to give me regarding what I would be expected to spend. We have left the gym, as my child will not get the attention she needs to improve if she is not planning to join the team, and I would not feel comfortable allowing current GAR coaches to train my child. We hope the new program sorts itself out and that coaches take into consideration the seriousness of their attitude towards team families, and take responsibility for the changes that need to happen to create a proper environment for the children they train.

A gem that develops through encouragement and self confidence! Been here for years and place is only getting better

Rockford and surrounding area is lucky to have this place, top tier atmosphere and role models. Thank you GAR

It’s horrible they don’t care about there athletes and kicked out all of the gymnast because they only care about the tumbling kids they kicked us out right before season and at least they could have cared when we were leaving but no asa and everyone else was laughing and smiling while we were crying because we were losing our second family. Katlynn is a horrible business owner and she only cares about money and good reputation. They have stolen our home and second family. Now we are split up as some of us are at Aalto and energym I hate gar so much I hope it goes out of business and katlynn should be sorry for what she did I hope everyone in business there a gets fired they also need to be shut down because of a health issue because of SO many mice all over the gym especially in the foam pit and scattered all over the gym dead! Never go here unless you want your kid to be scared of adults because all they do is yell

There is no words to describe how bad this gym it is truly the worst. all they care about is money and the tumbling team, we finally got a new coach that was the best ever we all loved him and kaitlyn had to fire him. This gym ruined so many girls life including mine so many girls may have formed depression. This place was my home until they ruined it. I used to love going to practice and had so much fun but they ruined everything i really hope they run out of buiseness and stop making money which is all they care about. They also have really bad coaches that all will do is yell if you send your kids there there is a 0% chance they will get a scholarship. If you do want to send your kids to a gym i would recommend any other gym to be honest any other gym would be better. If you do send your kids hear number 1 dont number 2 dont number three your kid will be heart brocken.

We signed our kids (ages 4 & 8) up for the parents night out. They absolutely loved it! On a Saturday from 6-11pm (I wish it was 5-10 but I'll take what I can get!) They had a large inflatable slide and free play in the big gym with all of the equipment. There was an Easter egg hunt, face painting, and pizza. On the way out, they informed us there will be another one next month & our kids want to go back. The gym was clean, and had adequate supervision for the amount of children in attendance. The cost was $35 for the first kid and $25 for the second.

Where do I begin.Steer clear of this gym. The new owners main goal is collect your payments. She does not care about your children. She does not care about ths gym. If you are not in her "inner circle" your child will not go anywhere in his/her gymnastics or tumbling career. Why? Because she fired the best of the best coaches for personal reasons. These are not speculations or rumors. These are facts. You can ask anyone who has left to go to a different gym. All the positive reviews you see here have been from people who have yet to see her greedy side. Parents beware. Coming from a parent who had her child there for over a decade and excelled exceptionally in gymnastics, she will choose money and her friends over your feelings or your child. Period.

Love all the hard work and dedication everyone puts in. The staff is wonderful. Very dedicated.I love how the owner has incorporated a new program so that children with special needs can participate in learning the sport. That alone speaks of what determination she has to make GAR a better place.Seeing the excitement in the kids eyes with all their accomplishments is truly inspiring.Keep up the good work GAR

Where to start. From being one of the best Gymnastics gyms in the Rockford area, GAR was a mecca full of talented and amazing Gymnast ranging from all types of levels to also having gymnast receiving Scholarships from all school around the …

Our athlete has been at GAR For two years now. She is a top State and National athlete because she switched to this gym. The gym is home to USTA tumbling and trampoline coach of the year. It only took six months for my daughter to advance …