Is Once-a-Week Gymnastics Enough? (And When a Workshop Makes a Big Difference)

If your child goes to gymnastics once a week, there’s a good chance you’ve had at least one of these thoughts:

• “Is once a week actually enough?”

• “Should they be doing more?”

• “Why do they keep practising cartwheels in the kitchen?”

• “They keep saying they want to learn an aerial, what is an aerial?”

• “Is an aerial the one where they nearly fall on their face, or is that something else?”

(Usually while you’re mentally calculating the distance between them and the coffee table.)

First things first, deep breath. The reassuring news is, yes, once-a-week gymnastics is absolutely enough for most children, especially when they’re learning, building confidence, and working out which leg is supposed to go first.

That said, every now and then, a focused workshop can give them a really helpful boost, without committing to extra weekly classes or rearranging your entire family life around handstands.

Which is why we love workshops like the ones we’re running this February.

Why once a week works (and you’re not underdoing it)

For most children, one structured gymnastics class a week is plenty to:

• build strength, balance, and coordination

• learn to listen, follow instructions, and wait their turn

• grow confidence, even if they start out hiding behind the nearest mat

• feel proud of small wins, which in gymnastics are a big deal

Children don’t need to rush. Skills settle best when there’s time between sessions for muscles and brains to catch up. That’s how progress actually sticks, and how confidence grows without pressure.

So no, you’re not “holding them back”. You’re doing it just right.

So… where do workshops fit in?

Think of workshops as a gymnastics deep dive.

They’re different from weekly classes because they:

• zoom in on one specific skill area

• allow lots of repetition in a short space of time

• help children understand how a skill works, instead of just launching themselves at it

• feel fun, relaxed, and very much pressure-free

They’re especially great if your child:

• loves practising the same skill on repeat

• is nearly there and just needs a confidence nudge

• keeps asking when they can learn “the next thing”

🤸‍♀️ Cartwheel Workshop, Thursday 19th February

£15 per child, Ages 4+, 9:00–10:30am

Whether your child is:

• a complete cartwheel beginner

• confidently cartwheeling everywhere except in class

• or already plotting their next upgrade

…this workshop is designed to meet them exactly where they are.

What we’ll be working on:

• breaking cartwheels down step by step, no “just fling your legs and hope”

• improving shape, balance, and control

• progressing towards round-offs

• exploring one-handed cartwheels

• gently preparing for aerial cartwheels, don’t worry, safely

It’s supportive, structured, and all about progress, not perfection.

✔ Open to club and non-club members

✔ Every gymnast gets a certificate to take home, and show everyone who visits your house, wondering why the coffee table is broken.

🤸‍♂️ Aerial Workshop, Thursday 19th February

£15 per child, Ages 7+, 10:30am–12:00pm

Let’s clear this up now, an aerial is not:

• a jump-and-hope-for-the-best cartwheel

• a surprise face-plant

• or something we just “have a go at”

Learning aerial skills properly is all about:

• preparation

• strength

• confidence

• and breaking the skill into safe, manageable steps

Workshop:

• multiple skill stations

• clear progressions and drills

• focus on body position, power, and control

• lots of encouragement, and proud grins

This workshop gives gymnasts the chance to gain experience towards aerial skills, without pressure to master them in one session.

✔ Open to club and non-club members

✔ All participants receive a certificate to take home

Do workshops replace weekly classes?

Nope, and they’re not meant to.

Weekly classes are where foundations are built and confidence grows steadily.Workshops are more like a:

• confidence boost

• skill top-up

• fun “let’s focus on this one thing” moment

The sweet spot?

👉 One weekly class, plus the occasional workshop.

Thinking about booking?

If your child:

• loves cartwheels

• keeps asking about aerials

• or just enjoys learning new gymnastics skills

…these February workshops are a brilliant, low-pressure way to support them, and burn off some of that impressive energy.

Spaces are limited, because quality coaching always comes first, so booking ahead is recommended.