Recreational acrobatic gymnastics in Edmonton, ages 6 and up
Nine progressive levels, a report card every session, and coaches who move your child up only when they have genuinely mastered the level.
How our nine level system works
Every recreational athlete works through an exclusive nine level acrobatic gymnastics report card system, grouped into Beginner (levels A to C), Intermediate (D to F) and Advanced (G to I).
At the end of each session your child brings home a report card showing exactly what they have achieved and what comes next. Most children take two to three sessions per level in Beginner and Intermediate, and four to six or more in Advanced. That is normal and it is the point: the levels are mastery based, not time based.
Intermediate and Advanced classes train together. Putting a broader range of athletes in the same space makes partner acrobatic skills possible in ways a single narrow group cannot.
The three recreational levels
New to us? Start in Beginner unless your child already meets the requirements listed below.
Beginner Acro, ages 6 and up
| Ages | 6 and up |
|---|---|
| Levels | A, B and C of nine |
| Entry | Open to complete beginners. No experience needed. |
| Report card | Issued at the end of each session |
The first three levels teach the foundations and basics needed to advance to more complex and diverse skills. Athletes are challenged to learn and perfect fundamentals such as the floor salto, cartwheel, headstand and safe landings.
Students typically take two to three or more sessions to master the skills at each level before progressing.
Intermediate Acro, ages 7 and up
| Ages | 7 and up |
|---|---|
| Levels | D, E and F of nine |
| Entry | Passed Beginner level C, or a coach recommendation |
| Trains with | Advanced Acro |
The second three levels build on the foundations and introduce more dynamic acrobatic skills, including elements competed at the provincial level. The tumbling component adds basic aerial saltos, round-off, front and back handspring and similar skills, progressing into short connections.
Is my child ready for Intermediate?
Your child needs previous experience in a gymnastics, cheer or dance program, either with us or elsewhere, or a recommendation from an Edmonton Acro coach. They should have passed Beginner level C and already be able to:
- Cartwheel with straight legs
- Unassisted forward and backward roll
- Handstand against a wall for 5 seconds with straight arms and legs
- Unassisted back bridge
Advanced Acro, ages 7 and up
| Ages | 7 and up |
|---|---|
| Levels | G, H and I of nine |
| Entry | Passed Intermediate level F, a coach recommendation, or a placement tryout |
| Trains with | Intermediate Acro |
The final three levels are for athletes who have mastered the basics and many provincial level acrobatic skills. Tumbling progresses into advanced salto skills such as front and back tucks, complex tumbling lines and connections. Athletes master advanced provincial competitive skills and are introduced to some national level skills.
Is my child ready for Advanced?
Your child needs to have passed Intermediate level F, or hold a coach recommendation, or complete a placement tryout with us. They should already be able to:
- Round-off with rebound
- Unassisted back handspring down an incline
- Front handspring off a height
- Connected cartwheel to round-off
- Front or back walkover
- Free standing handstand for 3 seconds
- Handstand against a wall for 30 seconds
Other recreational options
Homeschool Gymnastics
A daytime program that meets a homeschool physical education requirement, running September to June.
Advanced Tumbling
Tumbling and conditioning for cheerleaders, dancers and gymnasts, tailored to each athlete goals.
Adult Acro Jam
A supervised open gym for adults, popular with the Acro Yoga community.
Where recreational can lead
Recreational classes are the main entry point to our competitive program. Coaches watch for athletes who are ready and invite them across, which can happen at any point in the year.
There is no pressure to take that step. Plenty of athletes stay recreational the whole way through, and the nine level system gives them somewhere to keep going.
Recreational gymnastics questions
Classes have already started. Do you prorate?
Yes. Class prices are adjusted based on the number of classes left in the season through to the following June. You can register and start any time provided space is available. Note that a report card may not be issued if there is not enough time between your start date and the report card date to assess progress properly.
Do you offer make-up classes or refunds for a missed day?
No. Most of our classes are full, which leaves no room to fit in children who have missed another class. There are no refunds or discounts for missed classes.
Why can I not select a certain class?
Most likely the class is full and has been closed for registration. Check back in case of a cancellation, watch for the next session opening, or join the waitlist.
Do you offer free trial classes?
No. If you register and pay for a session but are not happy after the first class, we will cancel your registration and provide a full refund.
What discounts do you offer?
A 5 percent discount applies when multiple children register together, whether family or friends, and it applies to every child in the group. We occasionally offer additional discounts to families following us on Facebook or Instagram, or subscribed to our email list.
Register through the parent portal
Live openings, days and times for every recreational class are listed in the parent portal.
An annual Alberta Gymnastics Federation registration fee of $35 per participant applies, valid 1 July to 30 June. Full registration details.