Quiting A Gym To Go To A Different One

Date: Mon Mar 17 9:36 PM, 2008

Quiting A Gym To Go To A Different One

Date: Mon Mar 17 9:55 PM, 2008

All star gyms are businesses, and anyone should feel free to leave and go to another if it will make them happier. It's not like youth or high school where you should support the team in your local area because it's where you live, it's your local team. I think it's completely different. I'm not saying you can't have a sense of family and loyalty at an all star gym, but when you pay the kind of money we pay for all stars it's more about developing your personal skills and being happy. And if your friends can't understand that, then they're not your friends. Good for you for finding the right fit.

Date: Mon Mar 17 10:22 PM, 2008

i can honestly say i am one of those people who has switched gyms in the middle of the season. i left at the end of summer before the team learned their competition routine and walked into a gym where i learned their competition routine in one pratice. I think people switch gyms for many reasons. Whether they be personal or not, it was their choice to leave and in the end will end up hopefully being better for that individual and for the team they left as well as the team they are joining. I think people leaving gyms for another gym is often times where a lot of gym rivalries take place and i think it is silly. Kids can be nasty and i have experienced it first hand. I think kids turn bitter towards their ex-team mates and friend simply because they wont be wearing the same uniform anymore. I tink that if a person is unhappy where they are at it is tie to move on and find somewhere else to cheer. I am not necessarily saying what i did was right but i think it is unfair for a team to leave in the middle of the season but it is unfair to be there if your hear isnt in it.

to answer your questions specifically:

1. when someone quits i can say i feel a little sad and betrayed but as a team we should be able to pull through. If this person wasnt fully in it and not giving in their all they shouldnt have been there.

2.i think people respond the way they do out of shock, disappointment, the feeling of betrayel. Parents can often times be just as caddy as the kids that cause the leaving individual problems. The whole nasty looks thing makes me sick. While i know it happens i wish it didnt. I wish everyone could just be happy for everyone because they are happy. you know?

Date: Mon Mar 17 10:47 PM, 2008

MY ADVICE.......

PARENTS AND CHEERLEADERS, seriously look into other gyms if you are unhappy with your gym. DO NOT JUST hope things will get better next year.

I am guilty of this and we returned to a gym, that we were unhappy with only to leave two months later and $2500 lighter, with nothing but camp shorts to show for it.

I should have done my homework and tried out for other teams, went to informational meetings and had my girls do some tumbling classes, Don't be afraid to check out different places, ALL STAR CHEER is a EXPENSIVE SPORT!! It is important that we make informed choices.

JUST BECAUSE YOU ATTEND A NEW GYM DOES NOT MEAN YOUR KIDS HAVE TO STOP BEING FRIENDS WITH KIDS IN THIER OLD GYM, SAME WITH THE PARENTS!!!!!!

When we go to comps together we cheer them on especially my daughters good friends, and I smile and wish them luck, we sit together, lunch, talk (whatever)

Of course this is easier because the gym we left for has been wonderful for us, but this is also the right thing to do. BEING BITTER OR ANGRY IS JUST STUPID! I Just remember our move was the best decision for us and our family, and no matter what that was the most important thing.

Date: Tue Mar 18 3:28 PM, 2008

I think leaving a gym in the middle of the season is wrong. JMO
You make a committment to the team, it's not just about 1 person.
I've been cheering for 6 years now, i've been at 3 different gyms, whether i was happy or not, i waited til the end of the season to make my decision to leave. You've just got to do the moral / appropriate thing sometimes. I can believe others making snyde remarks or looking at you rudely, you left them, you left the team, they weren't good enough for you..can you imagine the thoughts going thru their minds. Well good luck where ever it is you ended up.

Date: Tue Mar 18 3:40 PM, 2008

I agree, I think it's fine to leave once the season is over. Leaving DURING the season? Unless the problems were serious, not only is it NOT cool, it's a very selfish thing to do. This is a team sport. You stick with your team til the end. I didn't get the impression from the original post that this person left during the season, maybe I missed something.

Date: Tue Mar 18 4:03 PM, 2008

Thank you!

Date: Tue Mar 18 7:57 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

MY ADVICE.......

PARENTS AND CHEERLEADERS, seriously look into other gyms if you are unhappy with your gym. DO NOT JUST hope things will get better next year.

I am guilty of this and we returned to a gym, that we were unhappy with only to leave two months later and $2500 lighter, with nothing but camp shorts to show for it.

I should have done my homework and tried out for other teams, went to informational meetings and had my girls do some tumbling classes, Don't be afraid to check out different places, ALL STAR CHEER is a EXPENSIVE SPORT!! It is important that we make informed choices.

JUST BECAUSE YOU ATTEND A NEW GYM DOES NOT MEAN YOUR KIDS HAVE TO STOP BEING FRIENDS WITH KIDS IN THIER OLD GYM, SAME WITH THE PARENTS!!!!!!

When we go to comps together we cheer them on especially my daughters good friends, and I smile and wish them luck, we sit together, lunch, talk (whatever)

Of course this is easier because the gym we left for has been wonderful for us, but this is also the right thing to do. BEING BITTER OR ANGRY IS JUST STUPID! I Just remember our move was the best decision for us and our family, and no matter what that was the most important thing.

I understand that some people think it was wrong to leave in the middle of the season, I left in July, so I stayed two months the new season started in May. That is why my advice to parents who have doubts in their current gym is to take a look around, so that they can prevent what I went through. I did not feel so bad since they had not received their routine or anything yet, they were just mostly working on skills.

Date: Tue Mar 18 10:11 PM, 2008

Leaving in July before competitions start is not the same as leaving in the middle of competition season, I agree with you there. You did yourself and everyone else a favor by leaving if you were unhappy there. There's nothing worse than having members on your team who don't want to be there.

Date: Wed Mar 19 7:53 AM, 2008

My only advise is when looking at gyms don't discount a gym because of what you have 'heard' about them. Unfortunately many gyms spread rumors or only talk about the bad things that happen in competitor gyms.

Visit, let your son/daughter participate (I don't know one gym that won't let you try it for at least a practice). Tell them to TALK to other members about what they like and what they don't like.

You yourself talk to the owners/coaches. If you like the gym, ask for an appointment without your daughter and with the owners. Ask them the questions about the rumors you have heard. If you still have concerns, ask if you can join for a trial basis - 1 month is reasonable for both sides.

Do this for every gym you are considering. Try out the gyms you are considering and then make a decision. Then stick with that decision - unless something terrible that will endanger your son/daughter happens.

Lastly, use caution when working with brand new gyms/programs/combined gyms (first year). Ask all the questions before making a switch. It usually takes about 2 years for these programs, even if they have existed separately, to iron out the kinks. Just be aware of what may/may not happen that year.

All stars is expensive and it is a year long committment. Treat it that way and you will make the right decision. In other words, don't listen to the rumors but find out for yourself and your son/daughter. You may be suprised that your decision may be that your existing gym is the perfect place for you.

Enjoy your new season!

Date: Wed Mar 19 10:32 AM, 2008

My daughter attended another gym two years ago, and we decided to switch to a different gym. The coach at her old gym told us some things about the gym we were looking to join. I'm glad I didn't listen to the "things" she told us. Yes, they were negative. My daughter loves where she's at and her coach. She can't wait for next season.

Date: Thu Mar 20 6:57 PM, 2008

Well of course her old coach would tell her all the "terrible" things about the new gym and all the reasons she "shouldn't" make the move. Girls will switch gyms for many different reasons. If it happens at your gym, the best thing an owner/coach could do is wish them luck and let them leave on good terms. All Star Cheerleading is a business and any other response makes you look immature and unprofessional.

Date: Thu Mar 20 8:46 PM, 2008

You know when I started coaching around here and we did not have the manpower or talent to field a level 5 team, I used to tell my girls, if you want to compete Level 5 please look at xyz gym. Non of them ever left and now they take the floor knowing the years and work they have put into the sport, but they always new the option was there. At the same time, even now , we cant promise or guarentee what levels we will have year to year. Some gyms can, we are not there yet. Even though this is a business it is about kids achieving goals and working towards the best personal goals they have. If I cant give them that opportunity, maybe someone else can.

Nicole
Airborne

Date: Thu Mar 20 9:25 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

You know when I started coaching around here and we did not have the manpower or talent to field a level 5 team, I used to tell my girls, if you want to compete Level 5 please look at xyz gym. Non of them ever left and now they take the floor knowing the years and work they have put into the sport, but they always new the option was there. At the same time, even now , we cant promise or guarentee what levels we will have year to year. Some gyms can, we are not there yet. Even though this is a business it is about kids achieving goals and working towards the best personal goals they have. If I cant give them that opportunity, maybe someone else can.

Nicole
Airborne

Nicole you are such a classy lady! Man i just love the spirit you bring to this industry

love your teams and program keep doing what you do

Date: Thu Mar 20 9:49 PM, 2008

You do what you've got to do. I've know friends that have tried to take down gyms when they leave, not cool. But funny as it is at the time, usually that program ends up better when those customers are gone. Looking at it from both sides. wink

Date: Thu Mar 20 9:53 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You know when I started coaching around here and we did not have the manpower or talent to field a level 5 team, I used to tell my girls, if you want to compete Level 5 please look at xyz gym. Non of them ever left and now they take the floor knowing the years and work they have put into the sport, but they always new the option was there. At the same time, even now , we cant promise or guarentee what levels we will have year to year. Some gyms can, we are not there yet. Even though this is a business it is about kids achieving goals and working towards the best personal goals they have. If I cant give them that opportunity, maybe someone else can.

Nicole
Airborne

Nicole you are such a classy lady! Man i just love the spirit you bring to this industry

love your teams and program keep doing what you do

Thank you so much!!!!

Nicole

Date: Thu Mar 20 9:55 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

You do what you've got to do. I've know friends that have tried to take down gyms when they leave, not cool. But funny as it is at the time, usually that program ends up better when those customers are gone. Looking at it from both sides.

I absolutely agree with this post. Finally, someone is saying what so many others want to. There are times when a gym may lose a member or two and yes, you don't think you can live without them. But you realize, once they are gone, how nice the dynamics of the gym are and wonder why there is no stress or tension in the gym. Then it hits you, that person that just left was the cause of so many more team issues than you even could imagine. Sometimes, it's really nice when people leave.

Date: Thu Mar 20 10:39 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You do what you've got to do. I've know friends that have tried to take down gyms when they leave, not cool. But funny as it is at the time, usually that program ends up better when those customers are gone. Looking at it from both sides.

I absolutely agree with this post. Finally, someone is saying what so many others want to. There are times when a gym may lose a member or two and yes, you don't think you can live without them. But you realize, once they are gone, how nice the dynamics of the gym are and wonder why there is no stress or tension in the gym. Then it hits you, that person that just left was the cause of so many more team issues than you even could imagine. Sometimes, it's really nice when people leave.

I've seen this with parents who are unhappy with a gym who leave for another; often times the original gym is better off without their negativity, for sure.

Date: Thu Mar 20 10:50 PM, 2008

when we left a gym for a better fit for my child, there was alot of rumors and lies told about why we left, and alot of nasty things were put out there that was not true. I asked myself why would a gym turn against a child and their family because they needed to do what's best for their child, when they claim that they loved her.The reality is this is about business, we are paying for a service and if we feel that we are not getting our money's worth in any area then it's time to shop around. Because the bottom line is that they will love your child, just as long as you pay your bill.

Date: Thu Mar 20 11:01 PM, 2008

Alot of us left a gym this year because of bad organization practices, the gym owners went around town bashing those who had left, saying that they are stupid for travelng outside of the city to cheer, and that we would be begging to come back. We'll none of us went back and each one are doing well at their new facilities. They can say that all the bad seeds are gone, but the reality is that you let your best customers walk out of the door, and you're gym has struggled all season long. You know what they say, " Karma is a Bitch".