Texas East Gymnastics: A Family of Fun

By Kelly Griffith-Fields

For forty-six years, Texas East Gymnastics has been teaching the fundamentals and honing skills of gymnasts of all ages, from preschool to competitor levels.

In their 22,500 square-foot, air conditioned facility banners adorn the wall claiming past victories. Bright colors engage young athletes, and top notch training equipment is utilized morning to night.

The family owned and operated business makes its mission to ensure all participants gain enhanced self-worth, self-confidence, and an “I can” attitude.

Preschool Gymnastics takes place in its own special room, the Jungle Gym. Boys and girls, ages two to four spend an hour each class covering all gymnastic events.

“Our goal is to allow each child to feel comfortable with movement and acquire fundamental skills which can be refined in later years,” part-owner, Marlynne Finch said.

Young gymnasts begin with a motor skills musical warm up and move on to floor, beam, bars, and vault activities. The equipment in Jungle Gym is made smaller to be suitable for the youngest of athletes.

“Studies show that early intellectual growth is directly related to physical development,” Finch said. “Therefore gymnastics not only develops the body, it also develops the mind.”

At the end of the year students may participate in the Preschool Gymnastics’ Junior Olympics Show and Awards Presentation. Preschoolers are able to show off the skills they’ve gained in class to an audience of family and friends.

Recreational Gymnastics classes are available for boys and girls ages five and up. The girls learn through a progressive gymnastics programs from beginner to advanced levels. “Our level system is based on skill mastery, and therefore ensures upward progress,” Finch said.

Gymnasts train on all four Olympic events: vault, bars, beam and floor. The trampoline is another tool at the facility that helps students recognize the fun of being active.

The boys program emphasizes strength, flexibility and balance. Six men’s Olympic events are featured: vault, parallel bars, pommel horse, still rings, floor exercises, and high bar. The trampoline and other related activities are often incorporated into new challenges.

“Gymnastics helps to build confidence and self-discipline by exposing it’s participants to challenges that can be handled successfully,” Finch said.

Texas East Gymnastics also takes pride in their competitive teams. With levels ranging from beginner to elite, gymnasts compete in the USA Gymnastics Federation which is the governing body of International Gymnastics Competition.

Levels of competition include District, North State, State, Regional, Westerns, and Elite that compete to Nationals. Texas East Gymnastics have gymnasts competing at each of these levels.

“We have one of the most successful teams in Texas with many State and Regional champions, National qualifiers and a Pre-Elite National Team member, and an Elite gymnast who competed in the Championships of the USA,” Finch said. “Our gymnast, Danica Abanto just finished competing in the Philippine National Championships.”

Along with those accomplishments many gymnasts practicing at Texas East have also been awarded with full college scholarships. Athletes have received full rides to the Universities of Florida, Kentucky, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Auburn, just to name a few.

For young girls who want to pursue competitive gymnastics Texas East offers Developmental Teams. The classes increase practice time which speeds the rate skills are acquired and enhance the gymnast’s maturity preparing them for competition.

Cheer Tumbling Classes are provided for girls and boys ages eight and over. Classes are optimal for students soon trying out for a cheerleading team. The spring floor, trampolines, tumble track, pit and mirrors help improve the cheer instruction and prepare the tumblers.

“The majority of area cheer tumbling squads currently picked our students as their team members,” Finch said.

Texas East also offers private lessons. Whether it is to develop a certain skill or prepare for gymnastics competition or cheer tryouts, private lessons are available with the instructor of your choice.

In addition to their regular programs and classes Texas East hosts special nights during each month.

Friday Fun Nights are held once a month. The facility is open to children ages five to eight-teen and they do not have to be enrolled in the gym to participate. The fun takes place from 7-10pm. Tickets for the event are $10 prior to the day and $15 the day of fun night.

The children are divided into groups by age and ability. Each group will rotate through the facility that will consist of about ten different stations. At each station they will receive instruction by trained and experienced coaches to complete the challenge, and tests their skills and abilities.

Space is limited so it’s encouraged that participants purchase their tickets in advance.

“Ninja night is the new program offered at TEG,” Finch said.

It will be scheduled on certain Saturdays from 6-8pm at the cost of $20 per ticket. Again children do not need to be enrolled to participate.

“At Ninja Night children will learn how to maneuver obstacles, overcome challenges and move to accomplish a task,” Finch said.

Texas East Gymnastics also offers their facility to host birthday parties.

The party package includes a t-shirt for the birthday child. Parties begin with one hour of instructional activities. A certified gymnastics instructor will coach kids through such things as an obstacle course, rope climb, trampoline jumping, and group games.

Thirty minutes of the party is allotted for refreshments and gifts in the party room too.

Texas East Gymnastics is located at 1914 Deerbrook Dr. in Tyler. For class schedules, tuition rates and more information call (903)509-3547 or visit texaseastgymnastics.com.