Step Ahead Gymnastics

I attended Step Ahead Gymnastics for 6 years. In these 6 years I had taken the intermediate classes, tumbling classes, and private lesions. I decided to go the cheerleading route and all of the classes allowed me to make my Middle school cheerleading team, my High School JV cheerleading team my freshman year, Varsity Cheerleading team for the next 3 years, and soon joined the Jacksonville All Star level 4 Senior Coed team that Christy coaches. I learned skills such as back handsprings, tucks, layouts, and began to work on fulls. The All Star teams traveled to compete in many competitions during the year, and I can honestly say we always had a competitor in our category, we never competed against ourselves. All of this would have not been achieved if I hadn’t had the coaching from Christy, and other fellow coaches. I know many other athletes that I had the privilege of working with went on to cheer at North Carolina State University (Large Coed, All Girl), The University of Chape more

My daughter was with StepAhead and Jacksonville AllStars from elementary, middle and high school. I have to give all the coaches props for helping give her confidence and leadership qualities. Without these qualities, she would not be where she is today, being a mentor to other nursing students and getting ready to walk across the stage with her BSN in a few weeks. The gym has prepared students to take it to the next level as collegiate athletes, with many representing their squads at Collegiate Nationals or on national television. That should be a testament in and of itself. Although we have not been an active part of Step Ahead/JAS, we still are part of the family and continue to interact and support the gym. more

This air an excellent place to take you children for gymnastics, cheerleading and dance!! more

I attended Step Ahead Gymnastics for 6 years. In these 6 years I had taken the intermediate classes, tumbling classes, and private lesions. I decided to go the cheerleading route and all of the classes allowed me to make my Middle school cheerleading team, my High School JV cheerleading team my freshman year, Varsity Cheerleading team for the next 3 years, and soon joined the Jacksonville All Star level 4 Senior Coed team that Christy coaches. I learned skills such as back handsprings, tucks, layouts, and began to work on fulls. The All Star teams traveled to compete in many competitions during the year, and I can honestly say we always had a competitor in our category, we never competed against ourselves. All of this would have not been achieved if I hadn?t had the coaching from Christy, and other fellow coaches. I know many other athletes that I had the privilege of working with went on to cheer at North Carolina State University (Large Coed, All Girl), The University of Chapel Hill (Large Coed), Elon University (Coed), High Point University (All Girl), East Carolina University (All Girl), and The University of Charlotte (All Girl). I also know many Dancers who go on to pursue dance careers attending University of the Arts in New York, and cheering on teams in college such as The University of Chapel Hill, The University of Charlotte, and North Carolina State University. When putting your child in classes, and they don?t advance, it is not because of the coaches, it?s because the child doesn?t strive for success. The coaches cannot make you want to learn a skill, the athlete themselves have to want to learn that skill. Also you cannot expect to practice once a week and learn a new skill in a month. It takes multiple times of practicing things to understand and learn a new skill. With all this being said, Step Ahead is a great facility, the coaches have to get safety certified, and have experience in the classes they are teaching. more

My husband and I were looking for a gym that our two children could attend. We went to both gyms that are here in jacksonville. Even though the other one was cheaper we had a really good experience with step ahead and have been there ever since. The coaches absolutely love the children and the children love them???? The owner is the nicest lady with years of experience. Safety IS a top priority from there mommy and me class to there elite proformance teams. They have multiple boys coaches who have taught my three year old to things some adults can't do. My daughter not only does gymnastics, she takes ballet as well. She is four and comes home saying she learned how to do a plié and grand plié. So they definitely are teaching the right techniques and teaching them the terminology. I would and do recommend Step Ahead Gymnastics to everyone! more

My husband and I were looking for a gym that our two children could attend. We went to both gyms that are here in jacksonville. Even though the other one was cheaper we had a really good experience with step ahead and have been there ever since. The coaches absolutely love the children and the children love them???? The owner is the nicest lady with years of experience. Safety IS a top priority from there mommy and me class to there elite proformance teams. They have multiple boys coaches who have taught my three year old to things some adults can't do. My daughter not only does gymnastics, she takes ballet as well. She is four and comes home saying she learned how to do a pli? and grand pli?. So they definitely are teaching the right techniques and teaching them the terminology. I would and do recommend Step Ahead Gymnastics to everyone! more

This gym is very unsafe! The coaches are not properly trained, I asked one of the coaches I believe heather was her name how many times a year do they go to training conventions and she replied said it is not required to go. This is the first gym that i have been to were they do not send coaches to training/spotting conventions. There let out procedures are horrible. For one they have over 20 kids in one class if you can believe that. two only 1 coaches lets the kids out the back of the building, so if they happen to get distracted nobody is watching who the children are going home with. Now comments on the facility itself: the gym is small, the equipment is old and way to crowded which leads to the classes themselves. since you have over 20 kids in a class and 3 teachers the kids are broken up in 3 groups each teacher is at an event and the kids spend about 12-15 on each event taking maybe 2 turns. who on earth can possibly learn anything in that short amour of time and taking a t more

I have to agree this small gym is over crowded. The children are expected to stand around and wait for it is their turn to go. When they finally get a turn the teachers do not even help them. The lobby is very small so good luck watching your child stand around. They let the children out of the back of the building, there is one teacher letting about 25 kids out at a time. I find this unsafe anyone can just take your child and the teacher would never know especially when they are talking to a parent and not paying attention to the rest of the kids leaving. The all star cheer team they have is a joke. The practice once a week and for 1/2 of the practice they sit around or they maybe tumbling while the owner and the other coaches are eating, talking on their phones, and just talking to each other. This place is horrible. I wouldn't take the chance to leave my child with them after what i have seen more

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY HERE! For one lets talk about the staff starting with Christy the owner. She likes to gossip (no wonder why she's the cheer coach she acts just like a teenager) She thrives on drama. She talks about staff members to other staff members. The majority of the staff are very unhealthy I would not want my child to have one of them as a role model. ITs really bad!!!! This is including the owner! Christy The owner does not take the time to ensure her coaches are up-to-date with spotting or training. Many gyms pay for their staff whether team or rec to go to training classes. The place is so small I have seen the team children get kicked off of an event so the ""rec"" kids can use it…..The all star cheer team I have heard they go to competitions they compete agains themselves hence all the cheer banners in the gym…..Put them up against a few other teams and lets see where they come in…..They allow cheerleaders to come in at their own leisure to work out even it that means them getting in the way of paying customers. This place is crap don't waste your time here[smile] more

I was talking to Christy (the owner) and was asking questions about the program. (I already did my research and knew the answers) but as I pressed on she was back tracking basically lying to me about how the classes are ran. I have heard that she doesn't care about her clientele and will simply tell them everything they want to hear. I was also told that cheerleading takes priority in the gym but sadly the tumbling the cheerleaders learn causes them more harm then good. In the rec classes there are no make up days but on friday for open gym its not even a class how can you miss a class then get told to go to a run around do things by yourself day? more

This is a horrible gym! ITs small and unorganized. The coaches look like they hate their job. The classes are huge its a miracle if they can even remember your childs name. I would recommend taking a 45 minute drive to another gym at least you will get what you pay for at another place. more

Step ahead gymnastics is the best gym! The coaches are the best especially the team coaches they push you hard to place at meets. Step ahead is clean and safe. The coaches make sure your child doesn't do anything they may harm him or her. They pay close attentin to all the kids. I recommend you to join are gym. I promis you or your child will love it!! more

Step Ahead has wonderful and nice teachers. They helped me with many things and are very knowledgeable. Step Ahead is the best gym I have gone to. The coaches know what to do and are tough. They will help strengthen you so you can do the skills better. It may have a small waiting room and be very busy, but you can do gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading at the same place. more

I found this gym very busy with too many children for the unprofessional staff. The younger age children are stuffed in a class with 3 teachers that just yell at the kids while they are expected to stand in line for a long period of time for their turn. The minimum instruction is given as these children are treated like dollar bills so they can keep the gym open and concentrate on their cheer-leading team and gym team. So if you are not ready to compete don't bank on getting that way at this gym. I watched the owner giving a private lesson while on her cell phone 80% of the lesson time which costs 40$ for an hour. I was really disappointed in this gym and would never recommend it to anyone unless you are already a quality gymnast then I would recommend their team. more

We have been to a few different gyms - here and out of state. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. A busy gym where instruction takes priority. Instructors are friendly and knowlegable. The owner makes this gym a success. As in every gym, they are work yearly to advance each of their teams - cheerleading, gymnastics and dance. Prices are very fair. more

aint it kind of stupid that they have a dance team now?\r tthey used to be jsut gym know dance which only has like five members. And they dont even go to compettions they go to Cheerleading comeptitions and jsut dance for it. more

My children have been attending Step Ahead for 2 years now, my daughter and son. They both love it. Although the waiting area can be small, they gym is plenty big enough. I would rather space for them than for me. The have a great set up, drop off in a certain area and pick up different to avoid congestion. The staff is nothing but exceptional. The receptionist, Colleen, is professional and friendly. Ms. Christy is very much involved with lessons. Tuition is due the 1st of the month and fees are very reasonable. There is a registration fee but it includes a tshirt with their name on it. No extra fee, although they do offer leotards for sale if you would like to purchase. No pressure though. The only requirement with clothing is no jeans. That is for restrictive purposes. They are all about gymnastics and cheer. Kudos to Step Ahead! If I have misspoken for requirements and so forth, my children are in younger classes and not sure of cheer requirements. We love you Step Ahead! more