We were invited to try out gym classes at My Gym Buona Vista recently and we let JJ have a go because he’s a real Tigger and loves to romp, jump, and bounce all day long.
He started their Terrific Tots programme in May and have been looking forward to attending gym class every week since. Like…once the lift door opens on Level 3 of Rochester Mall, he’s out like a rocket. He barely turns to wave goodbye to us. He just can’t wait to move and play and jump!
What I like:
1) The class begins with free play.
Kids who arrive early get to romp, jump, scale walls, and hang on the monkey bars before class starts. And everyone knows when the class starts without the teachers even saying anything. The cue is in the music: when it stops, everyone stops their activity and assembles at the circle. Nicely done.
2) There is proper warm up and stretching time.
Here they are below stretching their back muscles.
There is also circle time where kids get a chance to speak up and introduce themselves by answering a simple question. I thought it was good the programme actually incorporates some social skills component so the kids can get to interact with one another.
In this pic below, the kids are doing “tummies in the middle” - this is where the instructor will prepare the kids for what’s coming up, and give important instructions.
3) The exercises build up in complexity.
Round 1 is the simplest, then subsequent rounds add on another layer of activity. Take for instance this hanging beach ball game. In the first round, the kids have to just kick the ball. For the second round, they have to add on a forward roll. So it stretches the child’s ability to listen, follow and remember instructions.
4) The kids get to do circuits incorporating different actions and challenges.
In this circuit below, JJ had to swing on a rope like Tarzan, and then forward roll on a sloping gym-mat.
And for this one, JJ had to wind around some cones, climb up and down the stairs, and complete the circuit with a forward roll.
Every week’s activities and relays are different, working different parts of the body,and stretching different parts of the brain.
5) The gym setup changes weekly.
Things are moved around, and different tools and challenges are featured each week. The kids can play and practise on a balance beam one week, and hang on the monkey bars another week. So there’s always something new.
6) Safety is always emphasised.
Whenever the kids have to do something requiring balancing, they are reminded to spread their hands like an aeroplane to help them.
For forward rolls, the kids are always reminded to tuck in their heads, to prevent neck injuries. For backward rolls, they are taught to use “pizza hands” which are hands that are spread apart to help them achieve stability.
The gym instructors also focus on imparting proper techniques before challenging the kids to do more complex actions.
Here is JJ doing a handstand on a plank. He has been practising handstands for a few lessons before this, and usually on a mat.
Before that, he was actually walking on the plank and practising changing direction by jumping and twisting.
7) The activities promote listening and memory recall skills.
In the picture below, JJ is trying to focus to jump into the right-coloured hoops. The kids were given verbal instructions to only jump into the green and yellow hoops, and to avoid the rest. Such activities may look simple, but it requires active listening on the kids’ part to be able to follow through the tasks successfully.
8) They use a range of manipulatives to train motor skills and agility.
One of my favourite activities was this one pictured below, where the kids have to throw a scarf into the air and catch it; then throw it, turn around, and catch it again. I could tell they were all having lots of fun doing this, because the way a scarf falls is…well quite different from say a ball. It was a sensory experience and I know JJ was relishing the touch of the scarf landing on his face. Quite a memorable sight!
All in all, JJ loved the classes and I believe he’s benefitted in terms of gaining better balance, coordination, and body control.
And now we have a…
~~~ GIVEAWAY!~~~
I have a trial class valid for redemption at My Gym Buona Vista to give away to 3 readers. Just follow the instructions of the Rafflecopter app below to join in! Open to Singaporean residents only. The contest will close 9 August, 11.59pm!
Here’s a snapshot of the classes available here.
For further enquiries, do contact My Gym @ Buona Vista
Rochester Mall, #03-24/25/26,
Singapore 138639
Phone: (+65) 6684 9220
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
Tue - Sun: 9am - 6pm
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