Gym Rip Off

Date: Fri Oct 5 2:54 PM, 2007

RE: Gym Rip Off

Date: Fri Oct 5 8:26 PM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

I understand you don't want to pay for other expenses for the coaches. But if this was your job would you take time off your normal day job to go to a competition and not get paid? If you didn't have the coaches who would warm up the kids and get them competition ready? Why should the coach be out money by taking off work, paying for airfare, food, hotel, and etc? Should they go work for free for your kid? Now paying for club gear, that's shouldn't be in the budget.

Agreed! I can't think of one club sport I played or coached that didn't pay for our coaches including travel, food, lodging, clothing and other items. Seriously some people need to stop thinking you are rich from running a gym or working at one. furious

Date: Fri Oct 5 8:28 PM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Our gym lists it's total price upfront when you sign up in May.Which includes all of our comps. They may have to estimate a up or down if a comp. company has not posted prices, but I'd rather know a set price on day 1 than it costing $$$ in Nov./Dec. when Chirstmas is comming. But as far as coaching goes...My time is worth $.. that being said Coaches do not make much hourly and put in many more unpaid hrs than pd. I would bet most coaches coach because they love the sport and they love working with kids and seeing them succeed!! My 2 cents.

Gyms are in business to make money like any other business. So its interesting when parents don't see it that way. Yes its a competitive sport, but the people working at a gym have to survive as well and I think they should be allowed to have a decent life. So what they happen to eat a nice place during a competition, most of the time our coaches are so busy all the eat is fast food in the gym or road.

Anonymous · Veteran Member

I recognize this gym and could not disagree more my daughters have excelled beyond belief and driving an hour would not change that its the fact that the work there butts off the coaches can only do so much.I have full communication with all the coaches and have always had every question answered!Alot of those ten girls were very talented and I wish them the best all the drama was a shame but the stories I have heard people gossip about are just a little ridiculous.I do not believe most of them.The myspace thing would have only happened between the cheerleaders you remember we even had a policy about myspace because some of them were getting out of control.Finally I do not think there was all that much shock its just a little quieter with alot less drama.

Date: Fri Oct 5 9:03 PM, 2007

Hahahaha back !!!!
It does to the owners, when owners think they are coaches!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then they use they momma to do books and thier sisters and cousins to coach

Date: Fri Oct 5 9:09 PM, 2007

OOOOHHHH you were the one buying all the coaches dinner and Jamba jucies of course you had full communication in the gym you had your lips attached to thier backsides.

Anonymous · Veteran Member

Anonymous wrote:

All I know is as a paying parent I hate to pay coaches and gym owners for terrible service. The gym we left the coaches that were disrespectful and rude (not just to the parents but also to the kids), you couldn't ask where and when were the competitions (even though the season had started and everyone else had thier schedule already) Don't even ask about the uniform or camp clothes that we were already being billed for that was out of the question and ALL of the drama in the gym was started and maintained by the coaches. They would go as far as to use thier myspace to tell other kids to try to take other kids spots!!!

I think we gave this gym the shock of thier lives when we left.(They lost about ten kids all at once) Now I drive an hour one day a week, (We have a carpool so each parent only travels one day four days a week) and this was the best decision I ever made. My kids have advanced by leaps and bounds and to go to the gym and see a smiling, welcoming face at the front desk is worth a million dollars. I challenge all parents to stop letting these gyms think you have no other options. All Star Cheerleading is an expensive sport MAKE THEM EARN THIER MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recognize this gym and could not disagree more my daughters have excelled beyond belief and driving an hour would not change that its the fact that the work there butts off the coaches can only do so much.I have full communication with all the coaches and have always had every question answered!Alot of those ten girls were very talented and I wish them the best all the drama was a shame but the stories I have heard people gossip about are just a little ridiculous.I do not believe most of them.The myspace thing would have only happened between the cheerleaders you remember we even had a policy about myspace because some of them were getting out of control.Finally I do not think there was all that much shock its just a little quieter with alot less drama.

Anonymous · Veteran Member

Anonymous wrote:

OOOOHHHH you were the one buying all the coaches dinner and Jamba jucies of course you had full communication in the gym you had your lips attached to thier backsides.
No you would be suprised I am just a cheer dad. you and most people would not even know who I am. I have a very busy job and just let my kids cheer and leave the drama at the door.Isnt it only 9 now because one was kicked off.

Date: Sat Oct 6 5:06 AM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

I understand you don't want to pay for other expenses for the coaches. But if this was your job would you take time off your normal day job to go to a competition and not get paid? If you didn't have the coaches who would warm up the kids and get them competition ready? Why should the coach be out money by taking off work, paying for airfare, food, hotel, and etc? Should they go work for free for your kid? Now paying for club gear, that's shouldn't be in the budget.

I would expect the coaches to be paid for their time, travel and incidental expenses, but what I hate (and this is NOT all the coaches, but the immature coach!) having a coach show up crabby and hung over or not show up at all to competition! The competition is what I have spent all my time as a paying parent to get to and having a coach with a hangover who isn't at his best really ticks me off.

Date: Sat Oct 6 5:58 AM, 2007

The only drama at this gym was with the parents who felt they needed to buy the coaches to get thier no talented kids on teams they didn't belong. Then the parents would cry to the coaches when the kids on the team were pissed, and started treating thier kids the no talent they were. All I know is take it to the stage and tell you kid....... " Please don't ask to take a picture with my kids first place trophy!!!!!!!!

Cheer411 · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

This may be true, but coaches need to understand parents are not dumb, we can go on competition websites too!!! So when they give parents a schedule of costs then you go to the website and see the packages from the gym are padded $100 per kid, times 136(just throwing out a number) kids in the gym, give us a break, we want to help the coaches get to the competitions but we do not want to pay for thier food, drinks and new outfits for the club.

I find this statement interesting. How can parents believe that a gym shouldn't ask for padded of competition fees? The gym owners and coaches work their tails off at competition. There is so much work, behind the scenes, that it's not even funny.

- Competition paperwork
- Check in process
- Hand our wristbands
- Meet all the cheerleaders
- Hunt down those LATE cheerleaders (start making phone calls...and pray the cheerleader gets to the location before warm-ups)
- Gather the cheerleaders and find a common area in the competition facility to sit together
- Be responsible for your cheerleader for several hours (maybe even an entire day)
- carry a huge backpack (holding first aid supplies, extra uniform pieces - because a family will forget something, extra hair bows, etc.)
- Worry about the small things - take your cheerleader to the bathroom, make sure the shoes are tied, etc.
- Deal with the extreme cheer parent
- Recomb the cheerleaders hair
- Apply make-up because there are parents out there that can't take the time to apply make-up
- Deal with the sick cheerleader backstage
- Deal with those cheerleaders that start crying when they get nervous
- Conduct organize warm-up drills to ensure a good performance
- THE LIST IS SO MUCH LONGER THAN THIS!

All this is happening while the parents are sitting in the audience chatting away with other parents, enjoying a drink and nachos, and having the chance to watch the competition. Some parents even leave the facility to go chase lunch(a ****tail or two) somewhere else. They aren't even in the building until their cheerleader hits the floor.

Parents have it made at competitions. And yes, you should. You deserve it. But realize if you were to attend an event (and it doesn't have to be a cheer competition) and you needed to leave your cheerleader with a babysitter, you would have to pay for daycare.

This is no different. And the $100 padding for the season is dirt cheap. Divide that by the number of competitions. And even if you only attend 5 competitions that would only be $20 per competition. $20 dollars a day for someone to watch your cheerleader for several hours is quite reasonable.

I am favor of this extra expense! The coaches and owners EARN every last dime of that money.

-- Edited by Cheer411 at 07:34, 2007-10-06

Date: Sat Oct 6 7:58 AM, 2007

AMEN Cheer 411!

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

Cheer411 wrote:

I find this statement interesting. How can parents believe that a gym shouldn't ask for padded of competition fees? The gym owners and coaches work their tails off at competition. There is so much work, behind the scenes, that it's not even funny.

-- Edited by Cheer411 at 07:34, 2007-10-06

I don't think that the "competition fees" on the invoice should be padded for the exact reason that this is causing. I do think that coaches should be paid for all the hard work they do, I think it should be lumped under "tuition/gym fees" (or some such creature). Although I do know that many people and gyms list their "tuition/gym fees" as the yearly cost, so this may cause some people to think a gym that does it this way is more expensive than one that just tells people "this is our monthly cost for the year" and then never tells them about all the other expenses that are going to be coming.

I don't know how "Anonymous" #534651 meant the $100 padding, if it's the way you were thinking, you're right not bad at all. However, that's not how I read it. I thought they were saying $100 padding per competition per kid and that's just CRAZY!

-- Edited by Tamara at 09:04, 2007-10-06

cheerwatcher · GURU

Tamara wrote:

Cheer411 wrote:

I find this statement interesting. How can parents believe that a gym shouldn't ask for padded of competition fees? The gym owners and coaches work their tails off at competition. There is so much work, behind the scenes, that it's not even funny.

-- Edited by Cheer411 at 07:34, 2007-10-06
I don't think that the "competition fees" on the invoice should be padded for the exact reason that this is causing. I do think that coaches should be paid for all the hard work they do, I think it should be lumped under "tuition/gym fees" (or some such creature). Although I do know that many people and gyms list their "tuition/gym fees" as the yearly cost, so this may cause some people to think a gym that does it this way is more expensive than one that just tells people "this is our monthly cost for the year" and then never tells them about all the other expenses that are going to be coming.

I don't know how "Anonymous" #534651 meant the $100 padding, if it's the way you were thinking, you're right not bad at all. However, that's not how I read it. I thought they were saying $100 padding per competition per kid and that's just CRAZY!

-- Edited by Tamara at 09:04, 2007-10-06

I agree Tamara, I think fees for coaches fees should be seperate from tuition and Competitions, maybe under "Coaches Fees" and it should cover coaches traveling, meals during the competition and some compensation for their time. I was thinking maybe $100 a season per cheerleader because take 100 divded by however many coaches, divided by however many competitions, times however many cheerleaders in your gym. I guess I'm thinking at least $100 in coaching fees. Thats just what I was thinking.

But truely, ask any of your coaches chances are they have to have second and even third jobs to make their rent or car payment. 99% of their time is spent working outside of the gym working on new transitions/stunts/dance sections and don't see any compensation for that. Please appreciate your coaches, and say "Thank you, for everything" if their one of those coaches that (don't go to comps hungover, or grouchy etc.) really love to coach. smile

Date: Sat Oct 6 9:09 AM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Hahahaha back !!!!
It does to the owners, when owners think they are coaches!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then they use they momma to do books and thier sisters and cousins to coach

I HATE WHEN OWNERS THINK THEY ARE COACHES there needs to be a dif. between the two. I think we are from the same gym. ha

Date: Sat Oct 6 1:44 PM, 2007

Come on people that is exactly what I am talking about!!! You know that's what gym owners do on top of the fact that they have parents collecting money for their NON PROFIT GYM getting sponsors and then keeping the money. Half of these gyms would be closed down if the government opened their books to see where there non-profit money really went.

ALSO NO ONE GETS INTO ANY BUISNESS NOT TO MAKE MONEY!!! So build your coaches, pay trips etc. into the gym fees and then give your gym a WINNING season, YOU WOULD BE SUPRISED HOW MUCH PARENTS WILL PAY. No one wants to pay a coach $5000, a year per kid and not win crap all year, besides it's because of the coaches and owners bad decision making that needing to bring in extra coaches and choreographers to do what they should be doing. Besides you can give the best routine to kids but if you can't teach your kids to tumble, dance etc, the team is going to suck all year, and if you put kids on a team they do not belong on just because thier parents bring you food etc. you team is not going to win.

BY THE WAY!!! DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY A GYM WITH SIX OR MORE COACHES NEEDS TO PAY CHOREOGRAPHERS TO MAKE UP A ROUTINE OR STUNTS!!!! WHERE ARE THE TALENTED COACHES OUT THERE? Gyms should save the parents money and hire coaches creativly talented then they won't have to pay so much money for outside coaches.

Date: Sat Oct 6 2:50 PM, 2007

I don't know what gym you belong to, but most all-star gyms are NOT non-profit and they are allowed to charge whatever they want to make money. It is up to you if you want to pay it or not. Nobody is twisting your arm to go to a gym. Come on people, they need to make money to support themselves and their staff. I don't have a problem with that. It is up to you as the consumer to basically shop around and find the best fit for you, your child, and your budget!

There are enough gyms around the area that have a wide variety of costs and pluses and minuses that most people should be able to find something that works for them. I don't know about you, but I have not seen one gym owner or coach in the bay area that drive expensive cars and looks like they are rolling in money! Most of the ones I know don't even own their own homes. They are not trying to get rich, they are trying to make a living doing what they love so please try to look at it that way. This is not youth football cheer or little league where parents are volunteering to do the work, you are paying for a service for your child and you have the right to do it or not.

There is always going to be some things you like and don't like anywhere you go, but if you are that unhappy at a gym I suggest you find another one that you feel more comfortable with.

Cheer411 · Senior Member

i have to laugh outloud. How is it the parent's right to ask for justification of every cheerleading expense in the gym?

Does anyone go to a grocery store and ask what the mark up on every item that is sold in the store?

Do you ask for the mark up amount and tell the grocery store staff that you are not going to help pay for the janitorial services in the store, so discount your costs?

Does anyone ask the manager how much money s/he makes and what s/he pays his/her employees?

Or do you asked how much it cost the outfit the service clerks?

Do you ask the owner of the grocery store how much s/he makes?

When the manager goes on a business conference, to meet the other store managers, in a nice resort, do you ask how much that is costing you every time you shop?

NO!!!!!!! You don't. It's a business (and it's none of your business). No one thinks twice about the overhead expenses in any other business.

It's only in cheerleading that the parents think they have this right? Why? I would really like to know that answer.

I agree with the previous posting. Find gym that works best for you. If money is the ONLY driving factor in finding a cheerleading gym, then find the cheapest place in town.

The old saying still holds true here "let the buyer beware".

I am also curious to know what gyms are not-for-profit. Does anyone know?

Date: Sat Oct 6 4:40 PM, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Hahahaha back !!!!
It does to the owners, when owners think they are coaches!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then they use they momma to do books and thier sisters and cousins to coach

I HATE WHEN OWNERS THINK THEY ARE COACHES there needs to be a dif. between the two. I think we are from the same gym. ha

I take offense to this statement....many owners are fantastic coaches. The majority of owners in the Bay Area also coach so dont generalize like that please. I coach 4 out of our 7 teams.

Date: Sat Oct 6 5:11 PM, 2007

cheer 411 you have to be the smartets person on here! thank God someone said what you said. I am a parent and there is no way I feel it is my right to question the gym what they are using money for. We pay extra for competition fees and whatever they use it towards is their business. If you dont like somthing and you feel like you are getting ripped off. Darn (i wanted to say something else) YOU HAVE CHOICES! just like any other business you have a choice. Do most parents forget that they chose to get involved in COMPETITIVE CHEER" Not pop Warner and that was their choice. These gyms are running a business and if they want to make a huge profit on anything they want. Darn it it is their business......

I pay the fees whatever they may be because I like thier program and my daughter likes being there. We pay money for name brand clothes, shoes etc.... and we dont care we are putting millions of dollars back into the hands of peope who are not even directly influencing and nurturing our children.

the bottom line is... the gym has the right to charge whatever it wants , because it is a business and you as a parent and customer have a right not to pay it and not be invovled .. BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL THEM HOW TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS OR USE THEIR MONEY...

From a mom who supports her gym, the owners and our coaches in what ever decisons they make. and If I don't like something i know where the door is and where to find better service for what fits my family.

Thank you all star coaches and gyms for all your hard work and dedication and all the time you scarafice in and out of the gym.

If you don't like what you are getting move on, go somewhere else and leave us families who are happy and willing to pay in peace so that our children can enjoy the sport of cheerleading AMEN!