Gymnastics for 14-year-old beginner?

My 14 year old high school freshman daughter just expressed a desire to take gymnastics for the first time. She is about 5'8''. Is it possible for her to start now as a beginner? It seems to me most kids start at a young age, and that the sport favors smaller body types. Perhaps she could have private lessons if group classes are full of six year olds. Also, would tumbling or circus-type of classes be an alternative for an older kid? Suzanne

I recommend that you take her to Head over Heels in Emeryville on a Saturday between 10 and noon to check out what's going on there. You will see lots of tumbling and gymnastics classes for kids of different ages. You will also see the HOH Team working out, and you will notice that all different body types can do gymnastics; short to tall, rail thin to thick muscular; and all ages. Head over Heels offers both a Tumbling for Teens class and a Circus for Teens class on Friday evenings.

The chances are pretty slim that your daughter would end up on the competitive team, unless she was really really driven (like willing to work out 20+ hours/week). Most of those girls start out pretty young. But there is a lot of non-competitive fun she could have, learning to do gymnastics, tumbling and trampoline. If she likes the physical side of things, she'd probably prefer gymnastics, and if she likes performing you could check out circus.

I only have experience with Head over Heels, but I am sure there are also other gyms in the area you could look into as well. Good luck! Gym Mom

Our son would love to continue gymnastics. A couple of years ago he took classes at Windmill gymnastics which is a fantastic place (staff and facilities), but it is the other side of the world (for us). Any recommendations for a gymnastic class (for a very active, older child, 10-yr-old), in North Oakland, Piedmont, Lake Merritt area? Mara Head Over Heels Gymnastics has a great facility and program in Emeryville. That's at least a little closer to you than Windmill lynn