Best Gymnastics Center: Little Stars Gymnastics
Taking turns, following directions, building confidence — these may not be the first skills that come to mind when thinking of gymnastics, but they’re part of the deal at Little Stars Gymnastics, a recreational gymnastics studio in Middleburg Heights.
“Gymnastics teaches kids to believe in themselves,” says Sophia Porter, owner. “If a student can’t do a cartwheel today, we show them the technique, and, like a lot of things in life, it’s about repetition. Once they get that cartwheel, the smiles are well worth it.”
Students will also sharpen abilities traditionally associated with gymnastics such as coordination, strength, flexibility, concentration
and balance.
A lifelong gymnast and retired firefighter, Porter opened the gymnastics studio in 2003, in part because of how much the sport helped her as a child.
“Growing up, I had low self-esteem, and gymnastics got me out of that bubble to have confidence in myself,” Porter says. “It’s important to have children start gymnastics at a young age.”
Classes are 45 minutes long, take place once a week and include children 18 months to 10 years old. Sessions range from four weeks in the summertime to seven weeks during the school year. Co-ed and broken up by age groups, classes are small, with two safety-certified instructors per class.
The studio also offers open gym and holiday events and birthday parties.
Three to Try
Forward roll. Tuck your chin to your chest with your hands flat and touch the back of your head to the floor. Roll forward.
Cartwheel. Remember that the order for this skill is hand, hand, foot, foot.
Handstand prep. Hop both feet at the same time with both hands on the ground — this is a mule kick. Hop one leg off the ground with both hands on the ground — this is known as “puppy with a broken
6876 Pearl Road, Middleburg Heights, 216-410-7637, littlestarsgymnastics.com
