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In the modern world we live in, very little is demanded of most of us physically in our day-to-day lives. That’s what we call progress. That’s the way we like it. Our forefathers worked and sacrificed much to bring us to this point. Many Americans spend their work daybehind computers, on the phone, or operating machinery, taxed mentally and emotionally, but spending little effort. We ride everywhere we need to go in vehicles, and have all of our media and communications delivered with lightening speed to glowing LCD screens in our homes.
To the newest generation of children, recreation too often consists of pushing buttons on a remote, sliding a mouse, or waving a Wiicontroller, all while grazing on potato chips and soda. We all know that our bodies thrive on activity, so the price that we and our childrenare paying for our luxurious lives is nothing less than our health.
The good news is that even though many Americans may not have to work hard in our day to day lives, an increasing number of us are choosing for ourselves and our children to play hard, to reap the benefits of athletic activities. One such place where this is evidenced is at the Cedar Valley Gymnastics Academy in Waterloo. CVGA has seen tremendous growth in the last few years. So much growth that they have recently acquired an additional nearby building to help accommodate the 400 aspiring gymnasts that train there, under the direction of 30 coaches.
Sydney Hogan and her sisters, Taylor and Avery, are among the aspiring gymnasts. Sydney is 12 years old and a level 9 gymnastat CVGA. “Each time I need to learn a new skill, I think that there’s no way I can do that, but with the coaches’ help I get it, and it’s so rewarding!” Sydney said.
Sydney’s mother, Kari Hogan, said that in addition to the physical benefits, it has taught her girls discipline, respect, endurance, and flexibility.
We all watched last summer with great anticipation as fellow Iowan, Shawn Johnson, and the rest of her gymnastics team amazed the world with feats of skill, flexibility, and balance, ultimately taking the team Silver in the Beijing Olympics. What does it take to get to that point? If you go to 1101 Black Hawk Road any night of the week you’ll see exactly what it takes. Evenings at CVGA are very busy with practices well choreographed by the coaches to make use of all of the equipment and to help each child reach their full potential.
CVGA is owned by Amber and Andy Gruye, Janet and Greg Weber, and DeeAnn and Kane Fairman. The classes offered range from preschool to USAG Competitive Team for boys and girls between the ages of two to 18. The gym also offers tumbling classes. Beginning classes start at $50 per month. For more information you can visit
www.cedarvalleygymnasticsacademy.com, or call 319) 236-2842.
Matthew Rowenhorst is a local business owner that enjoys writing and cheering on his four children in all their sports, including Madelyn who is a level 6 gymnast.
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