Indoor Gymnastics Open
Above the Bar Gymnastics Academy
4.6(17)4.6 out of 5 stars, 17 reviews Richmond, VA
About Above the Bar Gymnastics Academy
Above the Bar Gymnastics Academy is highly praised for its engaging parent-tot preschool classes for high-energy children, its excellent birthday party packages featuring private gym access and multiple instructors for up to 13 kids, and its ability to accommodate families with multiple children (ages 2-7) in classes simultaneously. The facility is clean, equipment is well-maintained, and coaches are dedicated, knowledgeable, and provide individual attention, with a good presence of boy gymnasts. However, parents should be aware of a strict annual fee and a 30-day cancellation policy that can lead to charges even when classes are no longer being attended.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Parents seeking movement activities for high-energy preschool children.Birthday parties for 5-year-olds (or similar ages) with approximately 13 kids, desiring a private and active celebration.Families with multiple children (ages 2-7) looking for a gymnastics program that can accommodate siblings simultaneously.Boys interested in gymnastics who would benefit from seeing older boy gymnasts.Parents who appreciate dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring instructors.
Why families love it
- Dedicated parent-tot preschool class, particularly effective for high-energy children, led by Coach Terry.
- Birthday parties offer exclusive use of the entire gym for approximately 13 children and their parents, with three instructors.
- Birthday party instructors entertain kids for an hour with various obstacle courses and a foam block pit.
- The gym is super clean and all equipment is reported to be in very good condition.
- Parents can relax during birthday parties as children are actively engaged by instructors.
- Saturday classes successfully accommodate multiple children (ages 2, 5, & 7) simultaneously, simplifying family logistics.
Insider tips
- If you have a high-energy preschooler, the parent-tot class with Coach Terry is specifically recommended.
- Consider booking birthday parties here, especially for children around 5 years old, for a private, well-supervised, and fun experience.
- Carefully review the annual fee structure and 30-day cancellation policy before enrolling in regular classes.
- Families with multiple children (ages 2-7) should inquire about simultaneous class scheduling for convenience.
- Boys interested in gymnastics may find this gym particularly appealing due to the presence of other boy gymnasts and supportive coaches.
Good to know before you go
- Parents who are uncomfortable with strict cancellation policies or mandatory annual fees that may apply even when not actively attending for the full period covered.
- Families seeking extreme flexibility in billing or short-notice cancellations without financial implications.
- A mandatory annual fee is charged, which can be applied even if a child ceases attendance before the year is complete, despite paying for a month of non-attendance.
- A strict 30-day cancellation notice is required, which may result in additional charges.
- Crowds
- Birthday parties ensure the entire gym is reserved for the group, guaranteeing a private experience.
- Value
- Birthday parties are perceived as good value, providing private gym use, multiple instructors, and engaging activities (obstacle courses, foam pit) for a group of children. However, regular classes involve a mandatory annual fee, which, combined with a 30-day cancellation notice, can lead to unexpected charges (e.g., paying an annual fee without attending any classes for that year due to cancellation). This suggests potential hidden costs or inflexible billing for ongoing enrollment.
- Food
- Pizza and cupcakes were consumed after the instruction hour at a birthday party, indicating that outside food for parties is permitted or can be arranged.
- Accessibility
- No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- Three instructors actively entertain and supervise children during birthday parties, ensuring safety.
What parents say
"The parent-tot preschool class is so lovely and a wonderful way for a high energy child to get in some movement. Coach Terry is great with the kids and they all have fun!"
7 months ago
"Absolute scam artists. 30 day cancellation notice I can live with, but to charge me the annual fee even after I'm paying for a month my son won't be attending is criminal. Why would I pay a yearly fee to cover 365 days when my son isn't attending a single class."
8 months ago
"My son had his fifth birthday party here. There were thirteen kids and their parents. Everyone was very impressed and the kids had a blast. We had the entire gym to ourselves. There were three awesome instructors that entertained the kids for an hour with various obstacle courses and the foam block pit. There was plenty of room for the parents to relax without having to chase their kids around. We had pizza and cupcakes after the hour of instruction. The place was super clean and the equipment was in very good shape. The owner, Terry, even introduced my son to the boys coaches one day when we "
5 years ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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