HarlemLIVE

When you walk by The Little Gym, you can't help stopping in your tracks and peeking inside and asking yourself, "what is this place?"

Once you walk in you might just find that your inner child comes out. You see a whole bunch of kids having lots of fun, flipping and jumping up and down; there's just so much energy present--everyone just seems so happy, and the staff is so sweet and welcoming--that you can't help but want to join the fun.

The Little Gym is a gymnastics and skill-development program. They offer three curriculums: Parent/Child Curriculum (4 Months of age - 3 Years old), Pre-School/Kindergarten Curriculum (3-6 Years old) and Grade School Curriculum (6 - 12 Years old). This franchise began thirty years ago and already there are over 250 Little Gyms worldwide. At first, no one really knew what The Little Gym was, but people have embraced this franchise.

"Surprisingly many people have lent a helping hand out to us," say Toirey and Michelle, the Co Owners/ Program Directors of Harlem's Little Gym. Harlem is ever growing and parents truly love The Little Gym.

Toirey and Michelle don't just own Harlem's Little Gym; they also teach classes.

"It's a fun, people-person kind of job. It's ours and we're making a difference in someone's lives. You don't come to work and sit behind a desk, you get to take your shoes off and have fun. You're comfy all day, plus you get to have fun with the kids." said Toirey.

The Little Gym is opened Monday through Sunday. On weekdays it stays opened until 7:30 pm. Classes are also held on Saturday mornings, and most importantly, birthday parties are held on Sundays. The last party can be scheduled at 5:00pm; if there are no birthday parties, the
Little Gym is not opened on Sundays.

The parents sit off in a waiting area behind a long glass window, where they can watch their children as they work out in each class. They look very proud and impressed with the staff and their own children.

I've never seen gymnastics equipment anywhere but on television, so when I first saw the uneven bars and balance beams I immediately got excited. The fact that a place like this actually existed and was close enough for me to walk to was amazing.

The Little Gym has such a fun and exciting persona about it. Once you've stepped in from the street, the outside world looks so dull and boring; you just don't want to leave. The colors invite you in and you just can't help but be lifted into the playful and cheerfulness of The Little Gym.

The staff at the Little Gym stresses its non-competitive environment, and safety-comes-first brand of fun. "People usually ask are we a real gymnastics team. Yes we are, we just offer motor skills gymnastics, we use a different format where progress is reached at your own pace." said Toirey.

For the second year in the row Entrepreneur Magazine has named The Little Gym number one in children’s fitness.

"This makes us feel like we made a right decision. It feels amazing to be a number one franchise. Living up to the standards the brand is known for makes us feel like we are number one." said Michelle.

As The Little Gym grows, more events seem to happen. Besides its ordinary gymnastics classes, Karate classes are offered in the summer, and this Fall Dance classes will begin.

"Being proprietors, we understand why The Little Gym is number one in the industry. When you're in the gym, and you experience how happy a child is, you will see what it does.” said Toirey. Everyday at The Little Gym is different. There's a dynamic curriculum that lives up to the gym's motto, "Motor skills development made fun builds confidence that leads to a lifetime of success." The Little Gym is a definite confidence boost for every child.

Each week there's a different theme and the gym is set up differently so the kids have fun and look forward to coming each day. One example of a special theme is Veggie Week, which allows The Little Gym to help children build nutritional values. At The Little Gym, both physical and emotional skills are nurtured.

"When a child progresses from a monkey jump to a cartwheel, the accomplishment is exciting and the fact that you actually helped them achieve this is mind blowing. It's achieved at their own pace. Everyone receives praise and good, helpful feedback." said Michelle.