I recommend that you don't only look at the monthly fees. I have found that some gyms have a lower monthly fee but then you need to pay for competition fees, tumbling class, etc in addition. The competition fees can vary depending on which ones the gym selects to attend and how many. In my experience, some gyms might charge more but they have their own facility, mats, tumble track, etc while the ones that cost less often rent out space. To me this becomes an issue when the team or individuals want to put in more time and can't because the rented gym is not available. Always look for the hidden costs - they can add up quickly.

It does cost a lot. I did a ton of research this year in san jose and found one team to be the least expensive by more than half of the others, because they figure all of the expenses into the cost. They APPEAR to be the same if you just call for the figures, but only one of them included things like competition fees, uniform, etc. I don't know if I can say the name here but if you want to know I will post it, just tell me.

My daughter is on an All Star program in San Jose. At tryouts this year we talked to several moms that are coming to my daughter's gym from 3 other gyms in the area, for verious reasons 1) no place to practice yet 2) gym is not serious, to much goof off time 3) nickle and dime to death

The only thing I would like to add here, be careful of the BAIT and SWITCH (used car salesman trick). They show you a low monthly fee, but then all year long they are asking for more money and more money and more money, and before you know it, your gym is closing due to financial hardships, the coaches leave to start their own thing, and then you are right back to the same position you are now, looking for a gym.

Before you commit, go to the gyms and let your daughter practice with the teams, watch how the coach runs the practice. All Star cheer is not a place to "hang out", you can do that at McDonalds for a lot less money.

Personaly I like cheergyms.com You get what you pay for, and you pay exactly what you are told, no more!

I'm sure it'll get this thread removed, but I'll put out there what I found , this is just for san jose. my daughter had been listening to some of the hype from her friends but in the end we made the best decision for us. any of you can call the gyms and find out the same info (or lack of info, in some cases). I won't use names but if you know a little about the teams in the area youll know exactly who is who.

one gym - a new one, but most will know who I mean, couldn't tell me anything. No information about costs, practices, or even where they would even be located. So then I asked around and found out what their previous program - what they were before what they are now - and it was twice as much as the cheapest program I found. This was one of those wehre they have a monthly fee but then get you with more (competition fees, travel expenses, music, choreography, uniform, etc, etc) each month.

another - a cheergyms program - was in the same ballpark moneywise. They at are up-front about the cost overall, but when you add it all together, it was still a lot more.

The one that was the least expensive was a team in pink. they were less by more than half, and it included everything, competition fees, uniform, etc. we were there the last half of last season and I have to say we were not charged more than the stated monthly cost at any point for any reason. And they are a quality program with no better or worse of a "win/loss" record than the other two (i told you I did my homework!), the coaches are great and my daughter feels at home there. my daughter was all hyped up based on some of her friends ideas but after we really did the research we found that none of the three programs was really any better than the other so we went with the better cost and better commute and all her friends are there anyway.

So you can see cost wasnt our only factor but money is tight with the economy how it is and gas prices sky high. i didn't call Legacy because it's too far in the opposite direction, but heard they also are much more expensive, but obviously I'm not going to worry about somewhere I'm not even willing to drive to. my daughter did pop warner for a long time and all star is a killer compared to that! everyone is going to make their own choice based on various things, but if you are going moneywise, that is what I found.

To parent, I was just wonderin about this team you're referring to that you joined, how many competitions did they attend last year and did they travel? Reason I ask is I know of one organization that is the opposite direction (nowhere near San Jose) that was very reasonably priced, but as I discovered, it was because they only went to five competitions total, and only one out of northern CA. With the cost of comp fees, that would certainly save money. But I would rather go to as many as possible, since we're paying $$$ and making the commitment anyway.

As you seem to have done your homework you are not telling all the story on the pink. I hear that you do pay a monthly fee but you move from two differnt locations in one year and you paid for pratice clothes and never got them and never got a credit. That is being UPFRONT!
And then you obviously get what you pay for, or maybe not!

..yes people please do your home work. You have to remember one thing ..you get what you pay for. because I can tell you one thing, it's not a pretty picture when your child continuiosly comes home from a competiton to have been let down once again rarely if ever taking home a 1st place trophy. I know the trophy is not the most important thing to me, but to a young adult/teenager it may be. All the hard work that is put into the program all year to be let down..not a pretty picture. So when you are considering a gym for your child look further into the program, see what they have accomplished and how well they work together as a team.

Well if the gym that I'm thinking..the new one? your child would have much success with that program..they have some awesome coaches hard working, fun loving individuals that really care for the cheerleaders. Strive to be the best.

I was checking out the website for cheergyms and I wasn't able to find the full break down of the yearly fees, other then the ones that where posted on this message from Nelson. Please show me exactly where I can find this at..