Little Gym vs My Gym vs Little Y in MONTCLAIR

Okay, I really do not know much about the gym. I know we went to a party and had a really good time at the little gym. Also, just some info about locations you are looking to move. Check the school system programs when searching for the house only because when I was looking. I found out that there was no aftercare program or lunch program in Verona and Cedar Grove. I loved these areas but could not buy there because I work full time and need a lunch and aftercare program. Just in case you did not know of this. Good Luck with everything! :)

I can't help you with the others but I do not like The Little Gym. As a gymnastics instructor I have to say their program is not very good. They focus on "self esteem" and being able to just DO a skill and they do not focus at all on doing a skill CORRECTLY or with good form. For example, if a kid can kick their legs over in something like a cartwheel they praise him (which you should) but then don't encourage or teach them how to do it correctly! As a result the child gets in a bad habit that is hard to correct. When the technique of a skill is bad, you can't build on it. This means the child won't ever be able to do harder skills. I interviewed at The Little Gym and did not like their philosophy. Last year I received a girl in my program (at another gym) who was from The Little Gym. She was the best at The Little Gym and wanted to learn harder tricks. Her form was so bad and her technique so poor that we couldn't teach her the new tricks she wanted to learn and she spent a long time trying to "unlearn" her bad habits. She got very discouraged.

Hopefully you can find a program with the right mix of encouragement and good instruction. True self esteem is when a child can do something correctly and can learn new things. Then they can build skills for life.

I hope someone will answer your question about the gym classes. My children loved all the gym classes.
I hope you will also consider Music Together. I happen to run the program in Verona,West Orange the Caldwells and Fairfield. We would love to have you and your children. www.musictogetherveronawo.com ###-###-#### It is a great place to meet other parents and really connect with your children through music. You can bring both you boys to the same class which most parents really appreciate. Good luck with your move.
Verona is a great family town!
Holly

We have been going to Little Gym for years and my kids love it there. The Little Gym teaches gymnastics. My oldest daughter started when she was 2 and now she can do back handsprings! Plus they always keep it really clean there. I am not sure about My Gym because I have been so happy at Little Gym but I you could always try both programs and see what you think. Good Luck!

Huge fan of the Y in Montclair. We did a free trial class at Little Gym and I wasn't impressed at all. It seemed like a bunch of fru-fru. My girls have done gymnastics and swimming at the Y and I have been so impressed with the teachers, the programs, etc. And the pricing is better as well. They have a huge selection of classes to choose from--everything from tennis to woodshop. And what I really liked most was that it felt like a family community there--you get to know the other families quickly.

HUGE fan of My Gym in West Orange. I don't know the Y but my kids and I never cared for Little Gym. The owners, staff and classes at My Gym in WO are incredible. We have been going to that one since they opened their doors. Our family has been through almost every class and we love the vacation "camps".

I'm glad people also didn't like little gym! We went for a summer session and left the one in Scarsdale, NY. I didn't like the gymnastics program much and thought My Gym was just okay. I don't know the Y, but if it offers lots of things like swimming I'd do it.