Gymnastics in Illinois starts early — most programs welcome kids as young as 18 months for parent-and-tot classes. Park district recreation centers offer the cheapest path for preschool gymnastics and beginner classes; dedicated gyms are where kids go once they want to progress past the basics. The progression for a serious kid is roughly: tots (1.5-3) → preschool gymnastics (3-5) → recreational classes (5+) → pre-team (invite only, around age 6-8) → competitive team (USA Gymnastics levels 2-10). Most kids stop at recreational classes and that's fine — gymnastics is one of the better foundational sports for body awareness even without competition. Boys' programs exist but are less common than girls'; if your son is interested, look for a dedicated gym, since most park districts only run co-ed up to age 5 or so. Open gym sessions are worth knowing about — drop-in time on weekends, usually $10-15.
Prieto Half Court Gym · Evanston, IL
Sep 2 – Nov 19
WE, TH 17:30–19:00
Levy Center Bobby's Room · Evanston, IL
Sep 16
WE 17:45–18:45
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 23 – Nov 4
WE 18:00–18:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 23 – Nov 4
WE 16:00–16:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 23 – Nov 4
WE 16:00–16:45
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 24 – Nov 5
TH 17:00–17:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 24 – Nov 5
TH 15:00–15:45
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 24 – Nov 5
TH 18:00–18:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 24 – Nov 5
TH 16:00–16:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 24 – Nov 5
TH 19:00–20:30
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 25 – Nov 6
FR 18:00–18:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 25 – Nov 6
FR 09:30–10:15
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 25 – Nov 6
FR 16:00–16:45
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 25 – Nov 6
FR 14:00–14:45
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 26 – Nov 7
SA 09:30–10:05
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 26 – Nov 7
SA 12:00–12:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 26 – Nov 7
SA 11:15–12:00
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 27 – Nov 8
SU 12:30–13:15
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 27 – Nov 8
SU 10:30–11:15
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 27 – Nov 8
SU 11:30–12:15
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 27 – Nov 8
SU 12:30–13:15
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 28 – Nov 9
MO 16:00–16:45
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 28 – Nov 9
MO 19:00–20:30
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 28 – Nov 9
MO 16:00–16:55
Chandler Gym Half South · Evanston, IL
Sep 28 – Nov 9
MO 16:00–16:55
Parent-and-tot starts as young as 18 months. Independent classes typically begin at age 3. Most coaches will tell you starting young helps with body awareness, but kids who start at 6-8 can absolutely catch up if they're motivated.
Park district for exploration and fundamentals. Dedicated gym if your kid wants to progress to pre-team or competitive levels, or if you want better equipment and longer class time. Park district classes are typically 30-45 minutes; dedicated gyms run 60-90.
Pre-team is invite-only at most gyms, usually after a year or two of recreational classes. From pre-team, kids enter USA Gymnastics levels (2 is typical entry, 10 is national-team competitive). Competitive team is a 6-12 hour-per-week commitment.
Less common than girls' but they exist. Park districts often run co-ed only up to age 5. Above that, look for dedicated gyms with explicit boys' programs — they teach a different set of events (rings, parallel bars, pommel horse).
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