Colorado School of Elite Athletes

Gymnastics

Girls Gymnastics Overview & Pathways

What is Gymnastics?

Gymnastics is a sport focused on strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and grace. It’s divided into four events for girls:

Vault: Speed and power, launching over a table.
Uneven Bars: Swinging, kipping, and releasing between two bars.
Balance Beam: Precision and poise on a narrow beam.
Floor Exercise: Tumbling, dance, and acrobatics set to music.

Key Skills Across All Tracks:

Strength & Flexibility: Core, legs, arms, and shoulders
Body Awareness: Learning to control movement in the air
Mental Focus: Discipline, overcoming fear, handling pressure
Progression: Skills carefully built in a safe, structured way

Is Gymnastics Right for Your Child?

Does he or she love to move, climb, flip?
Is he or she coachable and enjoys challenges?
Are you ready for the additional time and financial commitment if they move to competitive levels?

Whatever path they take, gymnastics builds life skills: confidence, discipline, resilience, and strength!

Tracks in Girls Gymnastics:

Recreational Track

Ages: 3+
Focus: Fun, fitness, basic skills, confidence
Training: 1-2 days/week, lower intensity
Great for: Physical development, making friends, trying gymnastics without high commitment

Xcel Program:

A more flexible, less intense path for gymnasts who still want to compete.

Divisions: Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Diamond → Sapphire
Ages: 6+
Training Hours: 4–15 hours/week depending on level
Focus: Emphasis on participation, individual expression, and manageable schedules.
Best for: Athletes balancing school, other sports, or not pursuing Elite/college goals. the DP/JO sec

College Gymnastics Track (NCAA)

Gymnasts typically recruited from Levels 9-10 or elite. This is the most common track for athletes pursuing college gymnastics or Elite/Olympic competition.

Ages: Recruitment often starts at 14-16, official commitments around 16-18
High emphasis on clean execution, consistency, and team contribution
NCAA programs offer scholarships (Division I) and opportunities for continued competition & education

Elite/Olympic Track

Ages: Start young, often 4-6 years old
Progresses from DP/JO Levels → Hopes → Pre-Elite → Junior Elite → Senior Elite
Rigorous schedule: 25-30+ hours/week, year-round training
Goal: Qualify for national team, international competitions, and ultimately Olympics or World Championships
Requires extraordinary commitment from both gymnast and family

Development Program (DP) – Formerly JO (Junior Olympic) Program

Levels 1–3 (Introductory)

Ages: 4–7
Training Hours: 4–10 hours/week
Focus: Basic skills, strength, and flexibility.

Levels 4–5 (Compulsory)

Ages: 6–10+
Training Hours: 10–15 hours/week
Focus: Perfecting foundational routines; compete with standardized skills.

Levels 6–7 (Optional / Intermediate)

Ages: 8–12+
Training Hours: 15–20 hours/week
Focus: Custom routines begin; skill difficulty increases.

Levels 8–10 (Advanced Optional)

Ages: 10–15+
Training Hours: 20–30 hours/week
Focus: High-level routines, competition prep for college or Elite; Level 10 is the highest before Elite.