John’s Academy of Gymnastics * 203.269.5244 * 2 Toelles Road Unit 5 * Wallingford * CT * 06492

J.A. Gymnastics Xcel Program

XCEL is an alternative USA Gymnastics competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of XCEL is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience.

Xcel Developmental Team – Monday/Wednesday/Friday – 5:30-7:00 pm

Our Xcel Developmental Team is a non-competitive, introductory level within the Xcel Program. Gymnasts on the Xcel developmental team will be introduced to the skills required to advance into the first competitive level of the Xcel program where they have the OPTION to compete.

Xcel Bronze - Thursday, 6:00-8:00 pm & Saturday, 12:00-2:00 pm

Xcel Bronze is the first competitive level within the Xcel Program. Bronze gymnasts will perform routines comprised of basic fundamental skills that fulfill the Bronze requirements for competition.

Xcel Silver – Monday/Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm

Xcel Silver is an intermediate competitive level. Silver gymnasts already have a foundation of basic gymnastics skills. They continue to perfect their fundamentals while being introduced to more advanced gymnastics skills.

Xcel Gold – Monday/Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm, Saturday 12:00-2:00 pm

Xcel Gold is a semi-advanced competitive level. Gold gymnasts learn and perform exciting new skills such as high flying Vaults and aerial somersaults on Floor Exercise.

Xcel Platinum and Diamond

Xcel Platinum & Diamond are advanced competitive Levels. Platinum & Diamond gymnasts perform skills and routines comparable to that of a Level 7 or 8 gymnast in the Junior Olympic Program. Platinum & Diamond are also great crossover levels for High School gymnasts who wish to have a club experience without the extensive commitment of time. J.A.Gymnastics Junior Olympic Invitational Programs

Hot Shots – Wednesday 5:30-6:30 pm, Saturday 9:00-10:00 am

Hot Shots is an invitational class for our 4 and 5 year old students who have displayed a natural ability as well as strong physical traits for the sport of gymnastics. Hot Shots is designed to provide an evaluation period for both parents and coaches regarding the fit of an athlete for the competitive track of gymnastics. It is more technical than the recreational equivalent; however, it allows families to test the waters of the competitive structure in a 60-minute class, once a week. While it is not required, Hot Shots members are encouraged to make an academic year’s commitment to the program as it feeds into our Junior Olympic Team. Upon reaching 6 years of age, students are evaluated for placement on either our Junior Olympic Developmental Team or our Pre-Team.

Junior Olympic Developmental Team – Wednesday 5:30-7:00 pm

The Junior Olympic Developmental Team Program is an invitational, non-competitive program designed for children who have demonstrated the necessary skills and physical traits needed to become an exceptional gymnast. Our Developmental Team trains once a week for 90 minutes and works more seriously on skill perfection than in our recreational program, and spends a considerable amount of time on improving strength and flexibility. The Junior Olympic Developmental Team is an assessment period for the parents and coaches to consider if the competitive program is a suitable fit for the gymnast. From here, the athlete will be given the option to advance to our Pre-Team, which then leads to our Junior Olympic Level 3 Team.

Pre-Team – Tuesday/Thursday 4:00-6:00 pm

At J.A.Gymnastics, our Pre-Team program is by invitation only to those children who have demonstrated the necessary skills and physical abilities needed to become a competitive gymnast. While we evaluate all of the students in our recreational program on a regular basis, a child must be at least 6 years of age to be on Pre-Team. Pre-Team members come to class twice a week for two hours to expand their skill development while spending considerable time on improving their strength and flexibility. On average, the gymnast will spend at least one year in our Pre-Team program before advancing to our Junior Olympic Level 3 Team. Pre-Team members are asked to make an academic years’ commitment to the program as it feeds into our Junior Olympic Team. They are the future of the JAG competitive program!

USAG Junior Olympic Team USAG is the governing body of the sport of gymnastics in the United States. It is the gymnastics world’s version of the NBA or NFL. USAG is responsible for the selection of the Olympic Team and runs the Junior Olympic Program. Levels 1-2 are non-competitive levels. Levels 3-5 are compulsory levels, (everyone performs the same routines on all 4 apparatus) and Levels 6-10 are optional levels (each athlete performs different routines that meet specific requirements). USAG’s Junior Olympic Program is highly demanding. Because of the levels of precision and difficulty required to execute the routines, USAG gymnasts will train between 9 (lower levels) to 25 (higher levels) hours a week.