Author: George

Introduction

We hope you’ve had a great start to the Regular Season 2017-2018! We hope your child is enjoying our classes as we’ve made some improvements to our curriculum and the skills necessary to progress. In addition, we have brought back the Boys Intermediate class as we continue to build on our new Boys Gymnastics class structure. We have also opened more Trampoline Beginner classes on Monday at 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm. Furthermore, because of the increased interest we’ve had in competitive gymnastics we have developed more opportunities for our students to participate in our selective talent development programs. The newly-formed USAG Division II, for example, will have their first year of competition this season. All students in USAG Division II were originally from our Recreational classes and we couldn’t be happier to have so many motivated young athletes with us!

Recreational Programs

Every year, we reformat the Recreational class progressions to some degree so that our curriculum may meet the demands of the program. We learn what is most effective for our students given the short amount of time many have to practice every week and we try to have your child make the most of it. Although this means the program typically gets more difficult year to year it also means that because of the specific set requirements we instill, students are more well-rounded and prepared to tackle the more difficult skills safely. If you’re interested to see what the goals of this year’s Girls Gymnastics classes are, you may view the updated 17’-18’ skill charts by clicking any of the following: Girls Beginner 1, Girls Beginner 2, Girls Beginner 3. With more Boys advancing in their skills we have added an additional Boys Beginner 2 class on Thursdays, from 6:00pm – 7:25pm. This class-time is shared with returning Boys Intermediate students. Boys Beginner 2 classes are also currently offered on Fridays from 4:00pm – 5:25pm. More Trampoline Beginner classes have been added since the start of the season. To recap, the times added since we started the Regular Season are on the following days and times. Saturdays, 9:00am – 9:55am. Saturdays, 10:00am – 10:55am. Mondays, 4:00pm – 4:55pm. Mondays, 5:00pm – 5:55pm. Mondays, 6:00pm – 6:55pm. As well as a Trampoline Intermediate class on Saturdays, 11:00am – 11:55am.

Two new Drop-In classes have been added as well starting on September 30th! The first of which is a brand new Sport-Acro class (Co-ed 6+ yrs) that will be offered on Saturdays from 2:00pm – 3:00pm and 3:00pm – 4:00pm. It is $20 per one hour class to drop-in. This class is open format (not rotation based) and students will work on partner/group acrobatic skills and tumbling. The second of which is a drop-in Trampoline Training class on Saturdays from 1:00pm – 2:30pm, the drop-in fee is $30. The drop-in Trampoline Training is currently only for USAG Trampoline team members and Trampoline Pre-Team students.

Star of the Gym

Series: 8/01 – 8/31

Introduction

The Regular Season 2017-2018 opens to Current Families this Monday, the 14^th, at 9:00am! Invite registration links for higher-level gymnasts, Beginner 2+, for boys and girls will be emailed at 9:00am as these classes are not available on the website or the customer portal. To read the details of all the changes to Regular Season 2017-2018 for both the recreational programs and regarding our competitive teams, please see below.

Team Programs

The Team Programs lead by Head Coach, Genevieve Bellon, will be introduced to a simplified enrollment process for the Regular Season 2017-2018 with the addition of a newly consolidated IK Gymnastics rule-book for both the GIJO and the XCEL/AAU teams. This rule-book details the terms and agreement for the families invited into these selective programs, as well as the expectations of the students attending, written in part by their Head Coach to be accepted upon enrollment with the front desk.

Recreational Programs

The Girls Gymnastics classes at the Beginner 3+ skill-level are offered a Mixed Group option both on Saturday and then again on Sunday. These classes combine students of the adjacent skill-level as detailed on the Regular Season 2017-2018 schedule. The purpose of these classes is to increase the options and availability we offer to our higher-level gymnasts for your convenience.

There will be no Boys Intermediate/Advanced classes until further notice due to the restructuring of our Boys Recreational program. If you are a returning family that has not
already been personally contacted by our staff and you are interested in discussing options for your son, please contact us as soon as possible for more information!

Since IK Gymnastics opened nearly 6 years ago, the Recreational Programs: 55-minute, 85-minute, and 120-minute classes offered haven’t been financially adjusted to compensate rising costs as the Team Programs steadily have in the past. A $2 increase to the 55-minute class, $2.50 increase to the 85-minute class, $2.80 to the 120-minute classes.

Lastly, the Adult Classes no longer have a single Monthly rate for classes. The “Adult Class: Aerial Silks” will be $80/month to provide access to all the Aerial Silks classes scheduled to be offered twice a week. The “Adult Class: Tumbling” will retain the $120/month rate to provide access to all the Tumbling classes scheduled to be offered three times a week. During the 2017-2018 Regular Season, the Tumbling classes are now scheduled to begin at 8:15pm and end on 9:45pm on Mondays and Wednesday. Saturday classes will take place at the same time (3:00pm-5:00pm).

Star of the Gym

Series: 7/1 – 7/30

Introduction

We hope you had a great long 4th of July weekend this year and had a chance to enjoy the great weather and fireworks! We’d like to share with you some of the recent highlights and provide you with some information on what’s going on right now this summer.

A Month in Summary

IK National Champions!

First and foremost, we’d like to announce that our XCEL/AAU Team has had three national all-around champions! Congratulations to Lexi, Zoe, and Sawyer on their impressive routines and being granted this national achievement!

Aerial Silks Workshops!

Earlier this month, the first Aerial workshop was a success! They did Lyra and the students were even able to learn a routine by the end of the workshop. We have two more workshops this summer on August 5th 11:00am – 12:30pm that will be centered around the Hammock and August 19th 11:30am – 1:00pm where they will be practicing Duo Lyra. It is $35 per 90-minute session. This workshop is for adults and kids 8 and up as well!

First Half of Summer Ending Soon!

We would like to remind you that the First Half of Summer only runs until July 22nd. If you are a current family taking classes and are interested in continuing your child’s training, please make sure that you have already registered for the Second Half of Summer which will be starting July 24th and runs until August 25th.

Regarding Fall Registration (Regular Season 2017-2018)

The Fall Schedule will be finalized and sent out on, or by, Monday, August 7th. Registration for Current Families will be on Monday, August 14th. Registration will be open to the public on Monday, August 21st. You are considered a Current Family if you are actively taking classes with us or have an active Annual Registration Fee that is not past the renewal date. You can check with the front desk by calling us at 872-241-4157 or by emailing info@ikgym.com to confirm your current status. The first year Annual Registration Fee may only be paid alongside a class registration.

The 2017 U.S. Classic

If you are interested in watching professional gymnastics, we would like to let you know that the 2017 U.S. Classic will be going on later this month on July 29th! If you’re interested in attending, you may purchase tickets here, as it will be occurring near Chicago, Illinois, at the Sears Centre Arena.

Star of the Gym

Series: 6/1 – 6/30

Introducing the Newsletter!

This month we would like to officially introduce IKGym's monthly newsletter. Here you will be able to find Gym updates, Star of the Gym Series, and more!

Interview

Helen Hu

We are so proud to spotlight a very hard working, talented, long-time team member, Helen Hu! Helen currently holds the Team Leadership award that was passed to her by Olivia Karas (USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic All-around National Champion 2014). Olivia was Irina’s team leader for 9 years before graduating and continuing her career on University of Michigan’s gymnastics team. ⭐ Helen has not only had a high achieving, successful gymnastics career, but has proved to be a strong, positive role model for our young athletes! ⭐ I had the opportunity to interview Helen about her experiences and thoughts about leadership and team loyalty. 

Q: What did it mean to you to be awarded the IK Leadership Cup and to be appointed the next IK Team Leader?

A: I was surprised when I was awarded with the IK Leadership Cup. To be honest, I didn’t know the leadership cup existed before I was given it, but it definitely fit its last owner, Olivia Karas. I always thought of her as a leader, so I was honored to receive the same award as Olivia.

Q: What are the necessary qualities an IK Leader needs to possess?

A: Not sure, I think as long as the leader is someone who sets a good example both as a person and as a gymnast.

Q: What leadership lessons did you learn from Olivia?

A: Olivia use to occasionally to tell the team to get to work without being rude, but having a sense of authority. I use to wonder how she did that, I think it’s partially because she wasn’t just telling us what to do, but did it herself. I think understanding how to find a balance between leadership and teammate is what I learned from Olivia.

Q: Do you feel any pressure or overwhelming expectations to uphold your leadership role?

A: Not really. I think just being one of the oldest gymnasts on the team, I automatically have responsibility in keeping the younger ones in check. So I think of my responsibilities as more of an age factor than being the “team leader”.

Q: Why is it important for the next generation of gymnasts to have a role model and leader ahead of them?

A: You can always have a role model or someone you admire that is famous, someone like Nastia Liukin or Simone Biles, but it’s important to have a role model closer to you in life. I know because while I admired olympians, gymnasts like Olivia or [other previous team member] Gabi [Cooke], made a much bigger impact on me. Being able to see them everyday in the gym, making progress, or getting through injuries is inspiring and gives me real hope that I can one day be like them. Just like now, every single one of my teammates have seen me struggle and succeed.

Q: What do you hope the next generation of IK gymnasts will remember about you?

A: Someone that they can look up to, I guess.

Q: I know you have been on Irina’s team for a while now. What would you tell the younger generation of gymnasts about importance of team loyalty?

A: I would suggest that younger gymnasts stay loyal to their teams and make an effort to get to know the coaches and bond with their teammates. Over time the gym will feel like a second family.

Interview completed by Jess Graff

Star of the Gym