Has anyone done "The Little Gym" with their LO?

AimeeL85

DS is 21 months old;  I just transitioned to staying home full time with him, and we also moved to a new state a week ago...so we are obviously in need of finding some things to do!

I found out today there is a "Little Gym" by us, but their website doesn't give much info.  The video they have won't play, and there aren't really any class descriptions or even prices.  I am just curious is anyone has gone here and what you thought of it.

I am picturing DS wanting to run all over the place while they're trying to have a structured class and that's what makes me nervous...but the age group is 19 months to 2.5 years, so he couldn't be the only one doing that...right?

CLL1001

I haven't but I'm interested to see the responses. There's one close by to us too and I was thinking about checking it out because the website says there's a free introductory class...I just wish they had more info on the website about what actually goes on during the class and all that...what part of NJ are you from? We're in South Jersey (Gloucester County).

AimeeL85

CLL1001:

I haven't but I'm interested to see the responses. There's one close by to us too and I was thinking about checking it out because the website says there's a free introductory class...I just wish they had more info on the website about what actually goes on during the class and all that...what part of NJ are you from? We're in South Jersey (Gloucester County).

That's exactly the info I was looking for on their website, I wish they had more of a program description.  I am originally from Union County and we just moved from Somerset County and now we're out in Pennsylvania...big change so far!

JennaNAaron

I use to take the LO I nanny'd for..he was in the age range of your LO.  Although the teacher led a somewhat "structured" class, they understand the kids won't necessarily stay during circle time, etc.  They just asked that the adult stay with the LO if they leave the group.  They also have plenty of unstructured time during class.  I'm not positive on pricing, but I know it's fairly expensive.  Also check to see if your are has a My Gym.  You can do a free trial class at most LG's.  I want to take LO, but the class for his current age range meets at 9:15 on Saturdays and he usually isn't up until 8:30.

JennaNAaron

Oops and as for the structure of this class, ours ran as followed:

Beginning circle time with kids and adults.  Usually they did some kind of song or new move and every went around and said their name.

Then the teacher would highlight an area of the gym they were focusing on, or new move in an area (balance beam, bars ,etc)

LO's were able to move around the gym while adults stayed with them.  If they went into the area the teacher had highlighted she'd help them do the "move of the day", but only if they were interested.

Then she would get out ribbons or balls or musical instruments, etc

Then there was an ending circle time...usually with a song and bubbles. 

It was very kid centered and kids weren't forced to do anything they didn't want to.

iteachk

My older DD and I took one class when she was 23 months old.  She LOVED it and I would have continued if it wasn't so expensive.  Like the pp's said, at this age, they expect the kids to wander, and it's no big deal.  If you can afford it, go for it!

Blondangel

We just went the other day to check it out. The one closest to us has a $50 sign-up fee and is about $100 a month. This works out to be about $27/class. The classes are parent-child so you can be involved too. It doesn't seem so structured that you'd get side-eyed if your kid ran around.

st.augbride

We did My Gym which is similar and it was great. Ds had so much fun running around and playing with everything. Most of it was free play with 5 to 10 minutes of structure, so he could mostly tolerate that part. We're planning on signing up for a class each saturday.

momofmanyinthemitten

Classes are expensive, but fun. LO always took a good nap afterward. The instructors don't mind if the kids wander during "instruction time," but kids generally like what goes on during this time. Half the class is "unstructured," with time to practice new skills/play.

drpayne

We have a My Gym nearby. There is a room for classes and a different room for open play. We have only gone for open play and he loves it. We pay by the visit and its like 8. We don't go often enough to justify a membership. Having somewhere to let him run around when its too hot to be outside is great.

kwitt22

Like PP classes are structered and unstructered and it's ok if they wander. Honestly most kids don't bc the class is so fun. The teachers do a nice job of keeping the class moving and changing so kids don't get bored. Honestly they are a blast. I had a coupon for 4 free classes and it was so fun. I just happen to have 4 thursdays off in a row from work, and I couldnt do anymore, otherwise I would have signed up. I am not sure who had more fun, me or DD, lol!

rnbeth477

We go once a week and DS loves it. The format is exactly as pp mentioned. DS is one who is not really into the structured part, but he loves ball and bubble time. He wants to run around the moment we get there, but some of the other LOs do the same. He just moved up into the 19 months to 2 1/2 class. I think it's well worth the money, if you can afford.

The classes start at 4 months old. We're thinking of taking the new baby too.

Lotsofloveandkids

We have went to TLG before, DS loved it!

tmwishful

I've been taking DD to a local Little Gym since she was 5 months old.  We like it.  The whole point is for them to run around.  There's some structure, but plenty of open run around time.  They are a franchise, so things might vary, but we got a free intro class.  It's best to call them for the class schedules.  I like the other moms and DD gets some social interaction with the other toddlers.

tmwishful

Aimee, we are probably in the same area.  I'm in western NJ and go to Little Gym in Easton.  Just call them and go to the free class.

abs05

We've been going to The Little Gym for over a year now.  LO loves loves loves it.  She loves her teacher, has made friends there, and has learned a lot.  It's expensive, but I highly recommend it.

Ernie52408

We went to LG for about 10 months. DS loved it. It was a great way to burn energy, and we've made some good friends. We'd still go, but it was just too expensive for us to continue. I think it cost about $15/ week.

 

Leinistar

st.augbride:

We did My Gym which is similar and it was great. Ds had so much fun running around and playing with everything. Most of it was free play with 5 to 10 minutes of structure, so he could mostly tolerate that part. We're planning on signing up for a class each saturday.

We do My Gym as well and so far it's been great. DS is in the 14m-20m group and the instructor said he was doing really well for his first time. They do short intervals of circle time (2-5min each) mixed into free play. They also bring out different activities like rope swings, giant bouncing balls, bubbles, gymnastic equipment, etc to focus on different developmental areas.

They had a free intro class and you recevied half off the lifetime membership if you signed up that day. We paid $35 for the membership and then had to agree to at least two months of classes at $75 per month. You get one class per week and 4 free play times per week.

klibby707

We do My Gym, and DS LOVES IT!!!

AimeeL85

tmwishful:

Aimee, we are probably in the same area.  I'm in western NJ and go to Little Gym in Easton.  Just call them and go to the free class.

That's actually the one we'd be going to!  We just moved to Wind Gap, PA.  If you know of any other fun toddler places in the area I'd love to hear!

PayolaCrayola

I checked out both MG and TLG. I take DD to Gymboree now. Mainly because they offered more classes that i could take her to because i work FT. But also because the age groups are closer together so she wouldnt be in there with big kids. Another plus was the membership fee is waived and the first month was 49 unlimited then it goes up to 85. Its still a bargain to me because she loves it and i take her at least 4x a week.

gy86

I saw there was a groupon in my area for the little gym, so I called them to schedule a free class (basically to see if I wanted to purchase the groupon or not).  My daughter is only one, and frankly I couldn't justify $75 a month for four structured classes and "open gym" nights when she'd be at her dad's and unable to attend.

The class was fine but not anything mind-blowing.  I could see preschool-aged kids getting a lot greater benefit from these classes since they'd be able to actually use the equipment like beams and bars; I felt like a one year old can get the same gross motor advantages for free by climbing around on rocks outside or a park play structure -- the songs/games were fun & age-appropriate, but again, nothing worth spending the extra money for when I can get the same experience for free at library storytime or with a CD at home.

I'm a working mom and they only offer one time slot on weekends/evenings that works for our schedule -- but if I stayed at home, money was not a factor, and I needed something to get me out of the house for an hour, sure why not.