Full Time and Part Time Positions Open at ATLANTIC GYMNASTICS TRAINING CENTER.
Atlantic Gymnastics with locations in Dover and Portsmouth New Hampshire is hiring for Pre School and Recreational Class Directors at the Dover facility.
Dover, NH is located near the seacoast and minutes from the University of New Hampshire.
Interested candidates should contact the General Manager, DINA, at Dover@atlanticgym.com
Open Letter to the Gymnastics Club Owners from Inside Gymnastics magazine and the United States Gymnastics Suppliers Association (USGSA)
July 27, 2020
We know the backbone of the gymnastics industry in the United States is comprised of small business owners who run gymnastics clubs coast-to-coast. And we know how much you’ve poured your hearts and souls into your businesses. It’s an incredibly challenging time for so many of us across the industry facing the uncertainty brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as we head toward the fall competition season and the school year, we know you’re being pulled in a number of different directions and continue to face challenges. But, just as our athletes demonstrate overcoming adversity each and every day, we can and we will get through it – TOGETHER!
We will do our best to continue to provide you resources, information and inspiration. We find ourselves asking what we can do to help this situation both immediately and for long-term sustainability of our sport at the grassroots level. As an industry, we can unite, work together, share best practices and work together towards solutions to prevent further setbacks and unifying to make our voices heard.
LET YOUR REPRESENTATIVES KNOW OUR INDUSTRY AND SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS SUPPORT!
As Congress continues to debate additional stimulus options, reach out to your elected officials to let them know small business need continued support. Here is a link to find your Senate and Congressional Representatives:
Link to House of Representatives
SUPPORT #PassPHIT
The Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) is making the case to Congress that they need to support the active lifestyle industry across-the-board, emphasizing that an active population puts less strain on healthcare system. As we know, the strain on the healthcare system has only been amplified during COVID. There is currently an initiative called The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT), which would incentivize health by providing a 12 to 35 percent discount on physical activity expenditures through use of pre-tax medical accounts. Youth sports costs, health club dues, at-home fitness programs, outdoor recreation fees, sports and fitness equipment, and other expenses directly related to active lifestyles would be eligible for payment using an HSA or FSA.
As stated by the PHIT Coalition, “Our collective spirit unites people, which has often been described as an early indicator of economic recovery. Most important, however, are the physiological benefits derived from exercise that help stave off severe COVID-19 complications. As stakeholders, we look forward to working with you as Congress undergoes this next critical phase. The shared goals include the following: 1) Improve health in America; 2) Reduce the strain on our overall healthcare system; and 3) Provide consumer-driven economic stimulus solutions to help active lifestyle industries harmed by the pandemic.”
If you agree, urge members of Congress to pass this legislation, and use #PassPHIT on social media.
EXPLORE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR CLUBS
During these unprecedented times, we’re all having to find new ways to work, which requires creative thinking and expansion of ideas. We’ve been encouraged seeing all of the ways that clubs are altering their operations to meet this new normal and finding new opportunities to supplement their club operations. We will continue to share some of these ideas and also work to try to provide resources. Some opportunities you may want to consider –
KNOW THAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE ON YOUR SIDE AND WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF
The United States Gymnastics Suppliers Association USGSA (of which Inside Gymnastics magazine is a member) recently held its annual meeting, virtually. Among the top items on the agenda is what can be done to support gymnastics clubs during this time. The organization is working on a number of initiatives to look to provide additional opportunities for clubs and making sure the gymnastics community has their voice heard. The organization has outreach to a number of other entities, including SFIA and SHAPE America to explore opportunities on your behalf.
BETTER TOGETHER
Through a unified spirit, targeted action, a collective sharing of ideas and an amplified voice, we can stand up, make our voices heard and share potential solutions to help our incredible industry navigate these times. We remain so inspired by the creative solutions we have already seen across the country to keep our athletes moving forward and the way our communities are rallying for the betterment of our children across all sports and physical fitness programs. We are all in this together. And though it may be hard to see now, we will come out of this having learned new ways to better our operations and eventually, even with an expanded enrollment and growth for our clubs if we can bring in new audiences and take advantage of the Olympic momentum that is to come. The work will be hard and setbacks will occur but in the end, everything we can do will be worth it and we will have helped our children be happy, healthy and productive through these times and beyond!
Sincerely,
The Team at Inside Gymnastics Magazine
The Members of the United States Gymnastics Suppliers Association (USGSA)
When I was forced to close my gyms I figured it was going to be a few weeks and I would spend it writing, learning Italian and hiking. I could not have been more wrong. I couldn’t focus enough to write. I finished my Italian class but haven’t really practiced it, and I baked bread and cookies more than I hiked. 100 days of lockdown brought 100 days of lessons and a rollercoaster of emotions for everyone who owns a business. Nearly all gymnastics clubs were closed. Whether yours was open, closed, struggling or thriving, lessons to be learned were everywhere you looked.
In your lockdown story, are you the hero or the victim? Will it be the experience that made you or broke you? The choice is yours, so make it now.
Here’s what I learned during lockdown.
Every cloud has a silver lining
I spent April trying to out-work a pandemic, before realizing there had to be another way. I spent my days trying to find cleaning products and researching how we could open. I sent hundreds if not thousands of letters to our governor, senators and the states task force on how gymnastics clubs can open safely. Gymnastics club owners like me learned that more of the same wasn’t the answer.
What changes can I make when I reopen?
Is the gym set up the way I want it?
Trying to never let a crisis go to waste I made some changes to staffing, changes to equipment set up and changes to our practice and class schedule. These were changes I probably wasn’t going to make if we weren’t closed down.
You are not alone
Government advice was confusing at best and the future was uncertain, but the consensus was that we were all there paddling in the same boat. Although no lobbying organization exists for gymnastics, The USGCOA had great information to help me get the doors back open. I was able to use their information and lobby our state house for all the gymnastics clubs. Soon there were other clubs helping me with the workload. Guidance was shared on forums. My accountant and lawyer had my back. My state senator (David Watters) made sure my letters landed in the right hands. We were united against a common enemy and determined not to let it win.
When I asked, “How are you?” I really meant it. I answered and empathized with those who did the same. A problem shared really was a problem halved and somehow the world seemed smaller. I learned from the clubs in Europe and how they navigated reopening. I felt I was going through hell and yet so was everyone else, so I kept going.
Location doesn’t matter
There’s hardly anything you can’t do when working remotely on your business. You can learn, connect, hire and grow. I can pretend to be working or I can never switch off. Gymnastics club owners like me learned that trust is everything, but location is irrelevant. It’s output, contribution and attitude that count and it’s obvious when they are present.
Although we couldn’t get together for practices, we could do a decent conditioning program online. Staff meetings and planning sessions were held on ZOOM. We had good input and made some quick decisions which were key to getting the gyms reopened. I learned that while it is not be possible to teach a yurchenko from my kitchen, it’s possible to change the world with messy hair and pajama bottoms. It can be done from the top of a skyscraper or my little cabin in the woods. It doesn’t matter where you are, it matters what you do.
Kindness always wins
It’s easy to be kind when everything is going well, and harder when you’re fearful of the future. AND I WAS FREAKING OUT. When we finally make it through this, I will remember who showed compassion and who showed their true colors. There’s no use waving contracts about when there’s no precedent set. The only fallback is decent human nature, and it futureproofs professional relationships far better than official documents or terms and conditions.
I learned that the other gymnastics clubs are not rivals. They are their partners, as are their suppliers, clients and colleagues. What’s good for the hive is good for the bee.
We are what we repeatedly do
This is a saying I use in the gym all the time and it became my mantra through lockdown. I realize that the habits that were picked up at the start of lockdown were likely those that stuck for its duration. That 3 mile walk before breakfast. That weekly family zoom meeting. That livestreamed conditioning workout. That Netflix binge or social media scroll-fest. Some emerged from their quarantine happier and healthier than ever. Others slipped into habits that might stick for their future.
I figured out that brilliant business owners know that slippery slopes are easy to fall down, so they stayed well away. I tried to use my time to pivot, learn, develop and create. I planned and produced and tried to help others out. I intentionally relaxed and recovered and tried to be ready for the comeback.
You choose how to tell the story
The definition of resilient is something that breaks down and repairs the same. “Antifragile” is something that breaks down and repairs stronger.
How will you tell the story of lockdown? As the time when you were rendered useless, powerless to do anything and at the mercy of your government’s decisions? Or as the time you decided to set aside what you couldn’t control and focus only on what you could. If everyone had to release a book with the title “Lockdown and me”, would yours focus on what you couldn’t do or what you could do? What you lost or what you gained?
I learned that there’s always another way to see it. Any setback or mild inconvenience; Any obstacle thrown my way is a chance to stare it in the face and dare it to beat me. If I can Remain in this mindset, it never will.
Great Minds
My wife and I are having a house built and have sold our old house. We have been living up at our lake house for the last few months. A beautiful place, but pretty isolated. A great place to think (or over think?!). Combine that with a 50 minute drive to get to one of my gyms I have had lots of time to think.
As the Chairman of the USECA I have been on the USAG Advisory Committee. We do not seem to get a lot done. It is just too large if a group with too many interests to actually advise. It is NOT for lack of trying. There is good leadership and some very committed people. The representatives on the Advisory Council are wonderful and do a great job representing their constituents. But it may be time for more.
The US Gymnastics Club Owners Association has been a great asset for clubs as we all tried to navigate getting reopened. Now that many of us our open they are a resource to learn from each other mistakes and successes.
What the USGCOA understands is that Gymnastics professionals and gymnastics business owners are struggling. My personal feeling is that before this is all over close to 1/3 of the clubs in the USA could be forced to close their doors.
There are some great MINDS in the gymnastics world. People with a lot of experience and creative thinkers as well as problem solvers. It may be time to tap these minds and come up with some concrete and creative ideas to navigate out of this.
This is not a “let’s overthrow USAG”. Truthfully, I don’t care about them at all right now. I am worried about the future of our sport. My gyms will survive. But others may not. My brain power is consumed by just day to day operations as we reopen in stages and HOPE to get to 50% of what our enrollment has been. How many gyms are NOT going to be able make it on 50%? It would have been nice to have some better direction and leadership from the federation, but they are operating in survival mode. At this point there really are no viable alternatives to USAG. I am the education coordinator for USAIGC and I believe it is a great program but I don’t believe they have an interest in becoming the National Governing Body for gymnastics. AAU was once the NGB. Like USAIGC, they have a good program, BUT they are not equipped to be NGB in this day and age.
My caffeine fueled thought today is that we should put together a meeting, zoom or otherwise, just to see if we can find ways to navigate this. There should be representation from
It would be great to get these great minds together and see what kind of solutions come up. Having representatives from clubs of different sizes in different geographical areas will be of benefit. I do not know if this is possible or even if there is the collective bandwidth to take on such a task.
Just my thoughts! Let me know yours!
I had a call the other day with a number of other club owners. We are all just trying to figure out- WHAT’S NEXT. We have to be able to walk and chew gum. We cannot afford to stay so focused on the virus that we lose sight of other things that are coming our way.
Following the conversation I read a great article in FORBES. I want to share some of the thoughts and Ideas. Read the original article here.
Now more than ever, there’s a need for great leadership in your gym. Even for seasoned gym owners and managers, when it comes to leading during a crisis like COVID-19, it’s hard to know where to begin. Every gym I know has been forced to lay off most if not all their employees.
The truth is, this experience will change us. It’s like nothing I’ve ever witnessed in my 53 years of life. It’s different from any of the major challenges our society has faced in the recent past. Similar to 9/11, it feels like it came out of nowhere, and there’s simply no playbook to be found. Nobody really knows what to do.
Right now there are more questions than answers, and this level of ambiguity is difficult for humans—we crave certainty. But if you’re “the boss” in the gym, it’s imperative for the success of your team and business to be strong and to lead with everything you’ve got.
Here are five powerful ways you can help your people in a significant way:
Let me know how YOU are doing. It’s a tough time but we are going to be OK. #itsgoing2Bok
Gymnastics clubs throughout the world are getting our asses kicked. Every gym I know is closed and hoping to reopen in April or May. We have all been forced to layoff our employees and find new ways to jus Figure It Out. When we reopen we will be in a new economic place. The reality of a recession and the likelihood of the Olympics being postponed for a year does not make our lives easy.
I am on the Board of Directors of the US Gymnastics Club Owners Association and I am the Chairman of the US Elite Coaches Association . Both of these organizations have drafted letters to Congress.
Please take the time to mail one or both to all of your elected representatives.
We must make our voices heard.
Because most gymnastics clubs across the country try have closed, many competitive gymnasts are without a place to practice. I have seen many photos and videos of gymnasts doing their best at home. Including home trampolines out in their garden, Dance from floor routines in their living room or even using the Back of the couch as a beam! (Please do NOT do this).
It is important for gymnasts to be physically prepared for their transition back into the gym when things return to normal. Physical exercise also improves the bodies immune system.
There are 10 basic actions you need to keep strong so that when the gyms reopen you can transition back into the gym faster.
This may be the easiest part to do. If you have legs you can run. Think of your floor routine (or better yet- listen to your floor music).
After a 5 minute warm up: Jog during your dance parts, sprint during your tumbling parts. 10x
If you have an exercise bike at home
After a 5 minute warm up: Keep up a good pace during dance part- Practice your arm positions. Sprint or increase resistance during your tumbling parts. 10x
BASIC GYMNASTICS ACTIONS/ MOVEMENTS
HANDSTANDS
JUMPING and LANDING
Women’s Gymnastics is 75% legs. If you do nothing else make sure you keep up on your leg strength.
There are thousands of exercises you can do at home for your legs. This is just a sample, not a comprehensive list.
Squats: With or without weight. Do Not have weights at home? Use your sister or brother! Fill a back pack with books wear it across your chest.
Toe raises, Inverted “V” toe raise.
Ankle Pull Back with a partner or bungee
Hamstring push ups with your feet under a couch or chair.
Single Leg jump and stick.
SQUARE JUMPS: Fold a towel in 1/2. Jump clockwise to each corner. Jump counter clockwise to each corner. L and R.
Roll Back to candlestick Jump.
Jump Lunges
Lunges on stairs
Lunge Kick on stairs
THROWING and CATCHING
(also a great way to make friends). Reality is that in the gym we often forget eye- hand coordination. If they cannot catch a BALL- they cannot catch a BAR.
The throwing action (think of throwing a soccer ball forward) is in all front tumbling
Throwing it backward is in all back tumbling.
HOLLOWING and ARCHING and Core Stability
Hollow hold 30 seconds. Rock 15x
Side Arch hold 30 seconds. Rock 15x
Arch Hold 30 seconds. Rock 15 x (sweep arms down like in front layout)
Side Arch hold 30 seconds. Rock 15 x
Butt Lifts. 10 x straight legs, 10x tuck
Bent leg Plank Hold 20 seconds
Single leg up do 10 each X
Side Plank hold 20 seconds twist (lawn mower) with or without weight 10
Push up Plank Hold 20 seconds. 10 shrugs. 5 each arm up to push up and back.
Side Plank hold 20 seconds twist (lawn mower) with or without weight 10
Hollow hold 20 seconds
V up or Straddle V Up 10 x
Press through to push up
Push ups
Regular
Wide
Narrow
Beam hands
Press Handstand pirouette
PUSHING and PULLING
If you do NOT have a pull up bar or a TREE or access to a bar.
KIPPING and CASTING
From Knee to handstand- pirouette to wall
Straight Arm Lifts with weight.
Is Closing Schools Going to Help?
As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread around the world, there’s more and more talk of closing schools. For example, China has kept many of its schools closed with Hong Kong schools remaining shut down until April. The answer is- IT DEPENDS. But probably not.
If an outbreak starts at a school and you are trying to keep it from spreading beyond the school, shutting down the school may be the way to go. But things are quite different when there is already an epidemic or a pandemic occurring. If a virus is already running around outside of schools, can closing schools in some way reduce the size or duration of an epidemic? As detailed in a publication in theJournal of Public Health Management and Practice, the simulation experiments showed that in order to significantly reduce the size or duration of an epidemic, you have to keep schools closed long enough until the virus is no longer actively circulating.
Closing a school could prevent a number of kids from getting infected early during the epidemic. This in turn may maintain a group of kids that are susceptible to future infection. Thus, re-opening the schools later while the virus is still circulating could as a result re-fuel and extend an epidemic. Also, children are social and are going to congregate. If not at school, someplace else.
The problem is that children have fewer and less severe symptoms of Covid-19. They may not even know they are ill and there by spread the illness to parents and grandparents.
What can we do? Make sure your children wash up AS SOON AS THEY GET HOME. Before they have contact with you or other adults. Make sure they wash up after gymnastics class BEFORE you put them in the car. YOU may want to spend more time in your car than in the lobby. My gym offers a very generous makeup policy, if you or your children do not feel well, stay home, we can make up those classes later.
What is Covid-19 – the illness that started in Wuhan, China?
At Atlantic Gymnastics we take the health and safety of all of our clients and staff very seriously. Here are the FACTS and what we all can do to stay healthy!
Covid- 19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family. The current strain has never been encountered before. Like other coronaviruses, it has come from animals. Many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the center of the Chinese city.
What are the symptoms this coronavirus causes?
The virus can cause pneumonia. Those who have fallen ill are reported to suffer coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases there can be organ failure. As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use. The antiviral drugs we have against flu will not work. Recovery depends on the strength of the immune system. Most of those who have died were already in poor health.
Is the virus being transmitted from one person to another?
China’s national health commission has confirmed human-to-human transmission, and there have been such transmissions elsewhere.
How many people have been affected?
As of 25 February, the outbreak has affected 80,000 people globally. In mainland China there have been 2,663 deaths among 77,658 cases, mostly in the central province of Hubei. More than 12,000 people affected in China have already recovered.
The coronavirus has spread to at least 30 other countries. The most badly affected include Japan, with 850 cases, including 691 from a cruise ship docked in Yokohama, and four deaths. Italy has recorded 229 cases and seven deaths, while South Korea has recorded 893 cases and eight deaths. There have also been deaths in Hong Kong, Taiwan, France, Iran and the Philippines.
Including the cruise evacuees, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is now 60, including the 18 from the Diamond Princess.
Why is this worse than normal influenza, and how worried are the experts?
We don’t yet know how dangerous the new coronavirus is, and we won’t know until more data comes in. The mortality rate is around 2% in the epicenter of the outbreak, Hubei province, and less than that elsewhere. For comparison, seasonal flu typically has a mortality rate below 1% and is thought to cause about 400,000 deaths each year globally. Sars had a death rate of more than 10%. Scientists believe that the mortality rate of Covid-19 is likely LESS than 2% in that some people may have contracted Covid-19 and have such mild symptoms (and recover reasonably fast) that they do not seek medical treatment and therefore are not part of the statistics.
A crucial difference is that unlike flu, there is no vaccine yet for the new coronavirus, which means it is more difficult for vulnerable members of the population – elderly people or those with existing respiratory or immune problems – to protect themselves. Hand-washing and avoiding other people if you feel unwell are important. One sensible step is to get the flu vaccine, which will reduce the burden on health services if the outbreak turns into a wider epidemic.
Is the outbreak a pandemic and should we panic?
No. A pandemic, in WHO terms, is “the worldwide spread of a disease”. The spread of the virus outside China is worrying but not an unexpected development. The WHO has declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern. The key issues are how transmissible this new coronavirus is between people, and what proportion become severely ill and end up in hospital. Often viruses that spread easily tend to have a milder impact. Generally, the coronavirus appears to be hitting older people hardest.
What can we do to prevent the spread of Covid-19 (or any other Virus)?
According to the Center for Disease Control There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting sick from viral respiratory infections, and help prevent transmitting infections to others, including:
What is Atlantic doing to keep everyone healthy?
Remember that the media (print, TV, Social media, online) is a Business. They earn revenue through selling commercials and ads. Prices which are based on the viewership and he amount of clicks and shares. If they keep you on edge and nervous- you will keep them tuned in.
This virus is a SERIOUS SITUATION. As Anthony Fauci said yesterday, “We can’t be doing the kinds of things we were doing a few months ago”. We will need to make some lifestyle changes.
I spoke to my cousin in Italy yesterday. She was worried about US? Their news is just as filled with exaggerations. She asked if all the shelves were empty in the stores. She asked if toilet paper was selling for more than $100 and if tampons were more than $300. She asked if the Army was on the street.
Ummmmm- NO.
I plan to go on vacation in April to the Caribbean like I always do. I plan on visiting my brother at the end of April for his birthday. I plan to go to Italy in the end of May for a little vacation with family followed by work. I will continue to take all necessary precautions as I have always done.
Keflavik Gymnastics Club in Iceland is looking for an gymnastics coach in its Gymnastics department.
In the Club there are about 400 practitioners aged 2-18 years.Extensive work has been done in the Club over the last years and we are now looking for a powerful coach to take part in challenging projects ahead.
The Club is looking for a full-time coach and for all levels.
Applicants must have a good knowledge and experience of training gymnastics and the experience of working with children.
The department seeks to hire an experienced coach. It is important that the person is positive, ambitious and has good communication skills. If the person in question does not speak Icelandic, a requirement is made for Icelandic studies on behalf of the company with work.
Applications should be sent to fimleikadeild@keflavik.is before Mars 15th and include information on education, working experience and coaching experience, as well as references.
Further information will be provided by María Jóna Jónsdóttir, fimleikar@keflavik.is
In less than two weeks not only will a new year begin, but a new decade. It is an opportune moment to reflect on your goals for the next year, and perhaps for the next ten. Consider what you want your like to look like, the kind of person you want to be, and what do you need to do to achieve those things. No one can do it on their own, we need support and expertise from mentors and loved ones in our lives or educational resources, and one excellent resource, regardless of what goal you are trying to achieve is TED Talks. Below are five great TED Talks, that can help prepare you to be the person you want to be this coming decade:
What Makes A Good Life? Lessons From The Longest Study On Happiness By Robert Waldinger
Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger relieves us of the notion that the keys happiness are fame and money. Waldinger is the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, giving him access to a remarkable set of data on happiness and contentment. He shares what he learned from the study about living a more purposeful and meaningful life.
Inside The Mind Of A Master Procrastinator by Tim Urban
Tim Urban, the cofounder, writer and illustrator of the website waitbutwhy.com, knows his procrastination habit is ridiculous. He discusses its absurdity, and humorously describes his extensive Wikipedia searches, trips to the refrigerator looking for snacks every 10 minutes, YouTube spirals, etc. Then he discusses the feedback he received on his procrastination blog post, and the pain it was causing, and Urban concludes his talk by asking the audience to consider what we’re really procrastinating before we run out of time.
How Craving Attention Makes You Less Creative by Joseph Gordon-Levitt
As an acclaimed actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt receives a good amount of attention. But when he created social media accounts and followed his fellow actors, he felt insecure and competitive like all of us. He delves into how social media can detract from creativity, and argues that the more powerful feeling is paying attention, not getting attention.
How To Build Your Confidence—And Spark It In Others by Brittany Packnett
Educator and activist Brittany Packnett shares three ways to crack the code of confidence, which she believes is the key to bring the most ambitious dreams to fruition.
Your Elusive Creative Genius by Elizabeth Gilbert
One of the most famous TED talks, writer Elizabeth Gilbert discusses the precariousness of creativity and suffering being inextricably linked, and how artists and their support systems can better manage the emotional risks of creativity.