American Gymnastics Expands Programs

After over 20 years in the gymnastics business, owner Diana Marino is shaking things up.

"Some kids think gymnastics is only for girls," she said. "But we know that all kids get stronger and more flexible after coming here," she says of the business she opened in 1988 with 50 kids, which has now grown to over 400 children in an array of programs from pre-school on up.

To appeal to a broader audience, she's now offering an 8-week program called Youth Sports Edge for kids ages 6-13, designed to help all kids get stronger, more balanced and flexible through exercises like hurdles, jumping rope and speed drills.

Given the rise in overuse injuries in young kids, many health professionals and youth coaches are now advocating a varied approach to youth sports training—just the sort of cross-training YSE offers, Marino said.

"We've been reaching out to local coaches of sports teams to let them know how this can help," she said of the program, being taught by three newly certified coaches.

Marino was inspired to open after following her daughter to gymnastics meets and tournaments for 15 years in Yonkers. After seeing the benefits it offered, and realizing how much fun she was having, she opened her own location on Adams Street in Bedford Hills. Two years later, she moved into the custom-built 12,000 square foot space on Railroad Avenue.

Now that space will also offer the dance fitness class, Zumba, to kids and adults, with on-site child care for participants. In addition, Music Together, a music and movement class for families with young children, starts on Mar. 28.

Marino is not getting out of the gymnastics business—a full schedule of gymnastics classes is available and the Gym Care Pre-School is now accepting fall enrollment—rather, Marino is diversifying their programs after noticing changes in enrollment.

"We used to fill our Mommy and me classes, but they're down," said Marino, a mother of four and grandmother to eleven children. Whether because moms are returning to work, or interested in new fitness trends, she hopes the combination of new programs will appeal to broad audiences.

When asked how she kept up her energy after two decades, the mother of five—and grandmother of 11—said she it wasn't hard.

"How can you be tired doing what you love?"

American Gymnastics is hosting an open house on March 4 from 10 a.m. - noon for the community to learn about Youth Sports Edge. Children can participate in drills and obtain a pass for a free class. Call (914) 241-1997 to learn more. An open house for the Gym-Care Preschool will be held on Mar. 11.

Editor's note: The story originally stated 10 instructors would be teaching YSE; there are actually three. We amended the copy and regret the error.