Competitive Program:

In addition to a full range of recreational gymnastics, AGC offers a competitive program for both boys and girls. Gymnasts usually enter the competitive program through the Pre-Team. Pre-Team classes are designed for the dedicated and talented gymnast who wishes to pursue competition in the future. Pre-Team requires a minimum of a two-day a week commitment. Gymnasts progress more quickly when they have less time between workouts. Classes are structured around the USA Gymnastics Competitive Routines, with a strong emphasis on building the strength and flexibility required for more advanced gymnastics.

Boys' Competitive Program:

Competitive gymnastics begins for boys at Level 4. This is a compulsory level, meaning all gymnasts perform the same routines in competition. After Level 4, there are two more compulsory levels, Level 5 and Level 6. Gymnasts begin to perform optional routines when they reach Level 7, and continue with optional routines for the remainder of their career. In optional routines, gymnasts choose from a series of appropriate skills to create unique routines.
Boys compete on all 6 events: vault, parallel bars, pommel horse (and mushroom), high bar, rings, and floor exercise. Competitions are held at local gymnastics clubs and include gymnasts in the same age categories and level from nearby clubs. Awards are given for individual and team achievement. Gymnasts work towards the Zone Competition, which features clubs from the Bay Area, and then the State Championships, in which gymnasts from throughout Northern California compete.

Girls' Competitive Program

Girls begin competing when they reach Level 4 in the USA Gymnastics Competitive Program. Levels 4, 5 and 6 are compulsory levels, meaning that each gymnast performs the same routine as every other gymnast in competition. In Level 7, gymnasts begin performing optional routines, in which they perform routines, created from a list of appropriate skills, with their own distinct and personal style. Levels 8, 9, and 10 are also optional levels. After Level 10, gymnasts move into the Elite Gymnastics program, which is the Olympic level of gymnastics. Most gymnasts who earn scholarships to college are Level 10 or above.

The competitive events for girls' gymnastics are the vault, uneven parallel bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Competitions are held at local gymnastics clubs and include gymnasts in the same age categories and level from nearby clubs. Awards are given for individual and team achievement. Gymnasts work towards the Zone Competition, which features clubs from the Bay Area, and then the State Championships, in which gymnasts from throughout Northern California compete.

Gymnastics Links:

Northern Californian Gymnastics Organization for girls' competitive gymnastics:

http://www.norcal-gymnastics.org/

Northern California Gymnastics Organization for boys' competitive gymnastics:

http://www.ncbga.com/

United States Gymnastics Organization Home Page with additional links:

http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/