A Move-Message From Daniel Gundert, North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids Owner, gymnastics judge, coach, and parent of five competitive gymnasts.

One of the most emotional topics in gymnastics, for parents and athletes, is move-ups.

I understand that deeply, not only as the owner of North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids, but as a father. All five of my children are on our competitive team at NCG, and over the years, I've lived every version of this conversation from the parent side of the glass.

I've had kids move up quickly.

I've had kids stay put.

I've had kids repeat the same level, more than once.

In fact, some of my children repeated levels, two and even three times.

And my oldest, Audio, who is now a Level 10, has been on our competitive team for 13 years and will be attending ASU in the fall, with hopes to join their gymnastics team as a walk-on. He spent three years at level 4, which was at times a struggle, but eventually gave him the ability to be one of the best in his group before moving to the next level.

Relax About Move-Ups: Readiness Matters More Than Speed

One of the hardest truths in gymnastics is this:

Success at one level does not automatically mean a child is ready for the next.

Gymnastics is a sport that requires fundamentals, technique, and confidence for safe training and longevity. Rushing progression might feel good in the short term, but it often leads to fear, frustration, burnout, or injury later.

At North County Gymnastics, we move athletes up when they are fully ready with:

Strong basics
Safe technique
Consistency
Focus
Emotional confidence
The ability to handle pressure
Attendance
Attitude
Work ethic

Scores are one factor in determining move-up readiness, but they are not the most important factor.

As a parent, I know how hard it is when your child doesn't move up with their peers. I've been there multiple times. Looking back, some of the best things that ever happened to my kids' development came from staying put longer than expected.

Repeating a level gave them:

Confidence
Leadership
Mastery
A belief in themselves and the ability to reach the podium before moving to the next level.

And in the long run?

They often passed athletes who moved up sooner.

Gymnastics rewards patience.

This sport is a marathon, not a sprint, and I've watched that play out in my own family over a decade and a half.

Be a Parent of a Child Who Does Gymnastics — Not a "Gym Parent"

Identity matters more than most people realize.

When a child starts to believe gymnastics is who they are, not what they do, burnout becomes much more likely. Gymnastics should be a part of a full, healthy life, not the only pillar holding it up.

In our household, with five competitive athletes, we emphasize balance with:

School
Family
Friends
Humor
Fun
Other interests
Vacation and rest time for thier bodies to recover. More is not always better. We focus on quality over quantity.

That balance is what keeps kids in the sport longer and happier.

As parents, our job isn't to tie our emotions to results. It's to be proud of:

Effort
Work ethic
Courage
Commitment

When a gymnast finishes a routine and looks into the stands, they're not always checking scores. They're checking your face. They're asking, "Am I still okay?"

Sometimes, especially after a rough meet, the most loving thing you can do is keep a calm poker face and remind them:

"I love watching you do this."

I've had to practice that as it can be difficult not to cringe when they fall or make a major mistake. They do not need to see that on your face, as they already feel the pain of that mistake deeply.

Let's Be Careful With College Expectations

College gymnastics is exciting. I get it. We all think about it at some point.

But placing that expectation too early creates pressure, and pressure steals joy and can lead to burnout and mental blocks.

The reality is:

Most gymnasts won't compete in college
Even fewer will receive scholarships
Almost all will gain incredible life skills and lasting memories.

The true value of gymnastics isn't only college, it's:

Discipline
Confidence
Goal setting
Resilience
Teamwork
Physical literacy
Intrinsic motivation
Learning how to do hard things
Falling and getting back up
Staying on the mental balance beam of life
A strong physical foundation. We often see athletes start in gymnastics and go on to succeed in other ventures, both in and out of sport. As USA Gymnastics says: "Start with gymnastics, go anywhere!"

Those benefits stay with kids long after gymnastics ends.

I don't measure success by what level my kids reached at a particular age. I measure it by who they're becoming along the way.

Choose Partnership Over Conflict With Coaches

Coaches aren't perfect. Even great ones.

If a coach is doing most things right, you're in a good place. Many challenges in youth sports are actually opportunities for kids to learn how to handle adversity, not moments for parents to step in and fix everything.

At Gyminny Kids, our coaches care deeply about your children. They aren't only teaching skills, they're shaping confidence, discipline, and emotional strength.

The best outcomes occur when families and coaches work as partners, with mutual respect and trust.

That partnership matters because children are intuitive. If you do not trust the process, neither will they. When it comes time to do a backhandspring on beam, and they feel your reservations, it undermines the trust needed to do incredibly hard things in practice.

This is how I have seen it play out over the years:

Athlete in the car ride home: "My coach is mean, they don't like me, and I am the worst one in my group."

As a parent who may hear sentiments like this over time, you may begin to think, "Maybe it's true."

Then you say:

" I can't believe your coach did or said that."

Entering into any undermining conversation regarding a coach with your child will show up as a mental block or burnout once the child is ready to jump from low bar to high bar or do a backflip on the floor because that same coach is the one whom your child has to trust with thier life, and has now been undermined.

You do not need to agree with everything your coach does, but if you have concerns, please address them privately with the coach or the management staff, because as soon as your child feels you do not trust the coach or the process, neither will they.

Focus on the Positives — and the Only Competition That Matters

Every gymnast has bad practices. Every gymnast has tough meets. I've watched all five of my kids walk out of competitions in tears at some point.

But there are always positives:

A skill that improved
Courage under pressure
Better focus
Strong effort
Falling, getting back up, and finishing strong

Corrections happen in the gym. Please avoid coaching your child, as it can be confusing when what mom and dad say differs from the coach's corrections.

And the most important competition in gymnastics isn't against teammates or rivals.

It's internal.

The most powerful question an athlete can ask isn't:

Who can I beat?

It's:

How good can I become? And focus on PBs (Personal Bests)

Our Commitment to Your Family

At North County Gymnastics & The Gyminny Kids, our goal isn't to rush kids through levels; it's to help them grow safely into confident, resilient, capable humans who love sport and believe in themselves.

I wouldn't run this program one way for your kids and another way for mine. My children are living this process, repeating levels, trusting the journey, and learning patience and life lessons. In many ways, the NCG coaches and staff are co-parenting our children.

Move-ups will come in time.

Confidence comes from doing it the right way, and often slow plus slow equals fast.

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being part of our family-owned company.

We are here to support you through this journey, and we are more than happy to answer your questions. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child, we recommend contacting your team admin via email and scheduling an in-person meeting with your coaches.

Happy Training!

Daniel Gundert

Owner & CEO

Move-Ups at Gyminny Kids: Frequently Asked Questions

How do move-ups work at Gyminny Kids?

Move-ups at Gyminny Kids are based on readiness, not speed. We evaluate athletes on fundamentals, technique, strength, consistency, confidence, and emotional readiness, not only on age or time at a level.

All five of my children train on our competitive team, and several of them have repeated levels, some more than once. We advance athletes when it's safe, sustainable, and in their best long-term interest.

Why didn't my child move up with their friends or teammates?

Every gymnast develops differently. Move-up decisions are made individually, not as a group.

I've had my own children stay in levels while teammates moved ahead. While it was hard in the moment, those extra seasons often became turning points for confidence, leadership, and mastery. Many athletes who stay longer at a given level in the short term ultimately progress further in the long run.

Does repeating a level mean my child is behind?

No. Repeating a level is often a sign that coaches are investing in your child's foundation.

Some of my own children repeated the same level two or even three times. One of them, Audio, is now a Level 10 after a 13-year gymnastics journey and has repeated Level 4 three times. His path is a perfect example of why gymnastics is a marathon, not a sprint.

How often are move-ups evaluated?

Move-ups are evaluated continuously, not on a single test day. Coaches are constantly assessing progress during class and training. Some athletes move up at natural transition points, while others may move mid-season when readiness is clearly demonstrated.

What do coaches look for beyond skills?

Skills matter, but they're only part of the equation. Coaches also evaluate:

Proper technique and body control
Strength and flexibility
Consistency, not just one good turn
Focus and coachability
Emotional confidence under pressure
Attendance
Attitude

These factors help protect athletes, both physically and mentally, as skills become more difficult.

Can I ask for a move-up evaluation or meeting?

Absolutely. Parents are always welcome to ask questions or request feedback. While our coaching team makes final move-up decisions to ensure consistency, we're happy to walk you through where your child is thriving and what they're working toward next.

My child feels discouraged about not moving up — what should I say?

That feeling is normal. The most helpful message you can reinforce is:

"Your effort matters more than your level. Spending another season at this level will better prepare you for the next and help you build confidence and more experience before moving up."

We encourage parents to celebrate progress, leadership, and persistence.

Will staying in a level longer hurt competitive or college opportunities?

No. In fact, strong fundamentals and emotional resilience often lead to better performance and longevity in the sport.

College gymnastics is exciting, but it should not be the primary driver. The true value of gymnastics is the discipline, confidence, and character it builds, benefits that last far beyond competition.

How should parents interact with coaches when concerns arise?

We believe in partnership. Coaches aren't perfect, but they care deeply about your child's development. Most challenges are growth opportunities for athletes. When questions do arise, respectful, direct communication helps preserve trust and keeps the focus where it belongs, on the athlete.

What is the best way to support my child during move-up season?

The best ways you can help:

Avoid comparisons
Celebrate effort and improvement
Keep reactions calm and supportive
Trust the process (if you trust the process, so will they, and the same is true in reverse)
Emphasize enjoyment and growth
Focus on Personal Bests

Your child looks to you for emotional cues, especially during challenging moments.

Who can I contact if I still have questions?

If you have questions about your child's progress, goals, or experience, please reach out to your coach or our front desk team. We're always happy to help guide the conversation.