North County Gymnastics and The Gyminny Kids

Looking to study gymnastics, or want your children to learn? North County Gymnastics and The Gyminny Kids at 17022 Camino San Bernardo in 4S Ranch can teach people of all ages.

The gymnasium offers classes for ages 15 months (in “Mommy and Me” classes) to adults and also includes competitive teams for kids and teens.

“Our motto is fun and fitness for all ages,” said Daniel Gundert, the director of operations for the gymnasium.

North County Gynmastics and The Gyminny Kids opened as The Gyminny Kids in 1987 and has been serving the community ever since. It is now in its third location, as more space was needed to better serve its clients.

The company is still owned by the original owners, Liz Mullarky and Rob Bryson, though they have stepped back from the day-to-day operations in order to travel and enjoy themselves after years of running the business, said Gundert.

The gymnasium is split into two sections: a small area for preschool and under, and a larger area intended for older children and adults, as well as the competitive teams.

The preschool area, called the “Red Room,” is changed every two weeks, with a different theme in the course. The most recent theme was Mother’s Day, and involved the child giving a flower to his or her mother midway through the course.

More than just a way to burn off energy, Gundert said the preschool classes were also designed to educate and prepare the children for preschool. “We integrate more than just gymnastics, we also try to bring in life lessons,” he said.

The gymnasium also integrates pop culture into the lessons, include Super Bowl-themed lessons.

“We try to keep it fun (for the kids,” said Gundert. “It’s a lot of work, but it makes us stand apart from other (businesses) that don’t put as much thought into their lesson plans.”

The “Blue Room” is for school age and older gymnasts, including adults. This area holds not only lessons, but fun classes and the gymnasium’s competitive teams, which compete under the North County Gymnastics name.

The blue room offers all kinds of gymnastics training, including aerials.

The boys team, which has been competing for four years, has 30 members, and the girls team, which has been competing for three years, has 60.

There are also JETs, or Junior Elite Training members, who are too young to officially join the team but are very talented. With the JETs, Gundert said there are about 120 total competitive gymnasts training at North County Gymnastics and The Gyminny Kids.

“The competitive teams brought more credibility to our program,” said Gundert. “Previously, we had been more recreational. It also gives the younger kids something to look up to and work toward.”

Gundert said that the business had 2,400 students enrolled and saw 2,000 unique students a week, which didn’t include clinics or the parents night out events the business holds. “We’re one of the largest schools in Southern California,” he said.

Gundert said that the quality of the staff and the amazing way the owners treated those staff was one reason why the business has thrived for almost 20 years. “We have three coaches who have been here for over 20 years, and several others who have been here for over 10,” he said. “What makes the difference is the owners treat their employees very well. They made coaching a way to be a career and not just something you do on the side.”

Gundert said the staff is also rigorous trained on a regular basis, both in gymnastics and in safety. “We do weekly staff trainings, and regional and national staff training as well,” he said. “All our coaches are trained in CPR and first aid, as well as the U100 course, which is a several-hour online class on safety, working with children and classroom management. We pride ourselves on our staff training.”

For more information on North County Gymnastcis and The Gyminny Kids, call 1-800-GYMINNY or 858-451-0204, or visit www.gyminnykids.com.