Countryside Gymnastics

For families across North Carolina, especially those in Fayetteville and the wider Fort Liberty area, finding a nurturing and high-quality environment for children's physical development and enjoyment is a key priority. Countryside Gymnastics stands as a cornerstone of the local community, boasting a long-standing legacy of providing exceptional gymnastics and tumbling instruction. This isn't just an amusement center; it's a dedicated facility where children from toddlers to high schoolers can explore the exhilarating world of gymnastics, build strength, develop coordination, and blossom in confidence, all under the guidance of passionate and experienced coaches.

Established in 1988 by owners Jack Hester (an Air Force Veteran) and Marilyn Hester (a former high school teacher), Countryside Gymnastics was founded on the vision of offering children meaningful and fun experiences through top-notch gymnastics instruction. For over 35 years, they have been a trusted name in Fayetteville, known for creating a "family-style learning environment filled with care for our gymnasts and enthusiasm for teaching and learning." This dedication to a supportive and engaging atmosphere is consistently echoed by families, with one parent noting how their daughter "loves it and always looks forward to the new season," and how she has "grown both as a dancer and in her personality."

For North Carolina residents, Countryside Gymnastics offers a compelling choice for both recreational fun and competitive aspirations. Whether a child is just starting out, as evidenced by a 4-year-old who "was not able to do any splits or any of the gymnastic moves when she began" but was "able to do all the splits and ready to move to the next level" by the end of the year, or an experienced gymnast seeking to compete at state and regional levels, Countryside provides the perfect platform. Their commitment to offering a variety of levels, teams, camps, and special events ensures that there truly is "something for everyone," making it a beloved local institution in Fayetteville.

Countryside Gymnastics is conveniently located at 330 McArthur Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28311, USA. This accessible address makes the facility a practical choice for families residing in Fayetteville, Fort Liberty, and the surrounding areas within North Carolina. Situated on McArthur Road, a well-known thoroughfare, ensures that the gym is easy to find and reach for regular classes, practices, and special events.

Fayetteville, being a significant city in North Carolina, provides a robust infrastructure that supports easy travel to and from the gym. The strategic placement of Countryside Gymnastics allows it to serve a broad community base, reinforcing its role as a key local resource for youth sports and fitness. For North Carolina locals, convenience of access is often a determining factor when choosing extracurricular activities, and Countryside Gymnastics excels in providing a centrally located and easily reachable facility.

Countryside Gymnastics offers a comprehensive range of programs designed to cater to children of all ages and skill levels, from their very first introduction to movement to advanced competitive training. Their offerings extend beyond core gymnastics to provide a variety of engaging activities.

• Parent & Me Classes (Co-ed, ages 14 months – 3 years): Introduce toddlers to gymnastics fundamentals through playful activities, songs, and obstacle courses, with direct parent participation. Focuses on developing motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness in a fun, interactive environment.
• Preschool Gymnastics (Tiny Tumblers, ages 3-5): Structured classes for preschoolers that build on basic gymnastics skills like rolls, cartwheels, and balances in a creative and engaging way. Emphasizes listening skills, following directions, and social interaction.
• Recreational Gymnastics Classes (Boys & Girls, various levels): Progressive classes for school-aged children, moving through different skill levels. These include:
  • Girls Rollers, Handstanders, Cartwheelers, Backbenders, Gliders: These indicate a clear progression of skills for girls, from foundational movements to more advanced techniques on floor, bars, beam, and vault.
  • Boys Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced: Structured programs for boys focusing on specific men's artistic gymnastics apparatus (floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar) and general athletic development.
  • Students advance at their own pace, moving up in levels as they master required skills.
• Tumbling & Trampoline Classes: Dedicated classes focusing on floor tumbling skills (e.g., handstands, cartwheels, round-offs, back handsprings, back tucks) and trampoline work for enhanced aerial awareness and power. These are popular for cheerleaders, dancers, and gymnasts alike.
• Cheerleading & Tumbling: Programs that combine tumbling skills with cheerleading fundamentals, suitable for aspiring cheerleaders.
• Competitive Gymnastics Teams (USA Gymnastics Member Club):
  • Girls' Team: Offers two distinct competitive pathways – the Women's Development Program (WDP), with compulsory and optional rules, and the USA Gymnastics Xcel program. Girls compete at state, regional, and even national levels. Selection is based on skill testing.
  • Boys' Team: A USA Gymnastics Development Program travel team for boys, spanning Levels 4-9 and Xcel. Selection for this team is by testing and invitation, often from their recreational program. They compete across North Carolina and neighboring states.
• Summer Camps: Full-day or half-day camps during school breaks, providing a blend of gymnastics training, fun activities, games, and themed events (e.g., Camp Squishmallow, Camp Sweets & Treats). Camps offer flexibility for daily or weekly registration.
• Parents' Night Out (PNO): Supervised evening events where children enjoy active play, games, arts and crafts, and movies, allowing parents a night out. Includes pizza and requires pre-registration.
• Birthday Parties: Facilities available to host fun and active birthday parties for children, utilizing the gym equipment.
• Tumbling Clinics & Skill Clinics: Focused workshops designed to help gymnasts master specific skills or apparatus.
• Daytime Playtime: Opportunities for preschoolers and young gymnasts to explore the gym during the day in a playful and safe environment.
• Dance Classes: Offered through Leslie's Dance Academy, which is located within the Countryside Gymnastics facility, providing additional opportunities for artistic movement.

Countryside Gymnastics has established itself as a premier destination for gymnastics and athletic development in Fayetteville, NC, thanks to a robust set of features and highlights that consistently receive high praise from its community.

• Long-Standing Legacy & Experience: Being "open for over 35 years" and founded by experienced educators (a veteran and former teacher) provides a strong foundation of trust and expertise. This makes them "one of America's longest-running black-owned gymnastics programs," highlighting their enduring presence and commitment to diversity.
• Nurturing & Supportive Environment: Parents consistently emphasize the "family-style learning environment filled with care for our gymnasts and enthusiasm for teaching and learning." The coaches are described as providing "playful and creative ways to teach" that keep children engaged, and fostering growth "both as a dancer and in her personality."
• Comprehensive Progression Pathways: The gym excels in offering "a variety of levels" and allows children to "move through several different levels," from "Tiny Tumblers" to competitive teams. This ensures every child can progress at their own pace and continually be challenged.
• Strong Competitive Program: Countryside Gymnastics boasts a "strong competitive gymnastics team program" for both boys and girls that follows "USA Gymnastics Rules, Guidelines, and Policies." Their teams participate successfully in "state and regional competitions," with girls even reaching "national-level competition," showcasing their dedication to excellence.
• Highly Effective Coaching: Coaches like Amanda are specifically lauded for their ability to achieve tangible results, as a 4-year-old went from "not able to do any splits or any of the gymnastic moves" to mastering them and a proper cartwheel within a year, while keeping it fun and engaging for toddlers.
• Diverse Program Offerings: Beyond core gymnastics, they offer "tumbling classes," "camps," "parents' night out opportunities," birthday parties, cheer, and even host Leslie's Dance Academy within their facility, providing a wide array of activities for families.
• Focus on Holistic Development: The gym aims to create a safe and inclusive space where athletes feel "supported, encouraged, and valued," developing not just physical skills but also confidence and a love for the sport.

For families in North Carolina interested in enrolling their children in gymnastics, tumbling, or other exciting programs at Countryside Gymnastics in Fayetteville, here is their essential contact information:

Address: 330 McArthur Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28311, USA

Phone: (910) 488-9380

Mobile Phone: +1 910-488-9380

Prospective families are encouraged to contact Countryside Gymnastics directly via phone to inquire about class schedules, specific program details, registration processes, and any upcoming camps or Parents' Night Out events. Visiting their official website (countrysidegym.com) is also highly recommended for a comprehensive overview of their offerings, policies, and to register for classes.

For families residing in North Carolina, particularly within Fayetteville and its surrounding communities, Countryside Gymnastics stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended local point of interest for children's athletic development and recreational enjoyment. Its deep roots in the community, comprehensive program offerings, and unwavering commitment to nurturing each child's potential make it an ideal choice.

Firstly, the gym's accessible location at 330 McArthur Rd in Fayetteville ensures convenience for daily classes and activities. This ease of access is crucial for busy North Carolina parents, making consistent participation manageable and stress-free, which is vital for fostering long-term engagement in sports.

Secondly, Countryside Gymnastics boasts over 35 years of experience, making it one of the longest-running gymnastics programs in the region and one of America's longest-running Black-owned gymnastics programs. This extensive history speaks to a proven track record of excellence and a deep understanding of youth development. Parents consistently praise the "family-style learning environment" and the caring, enthusiastic coaches who foster an atmosphere where children "love it" and "look forward to the new season." The transformation of a "shy stuck like glue child" into a confident gymnast, as highlighted in reviews, underscores their success in holistic development.

Furthermore, the wide array of services, from "Parent & Me" classes for toddlers to recreational levels and competitive teams for boys and girls (including USA Gymnastics programs), ensures that Countryside Gymnastics caters to every stage of a child's growth. The availability of summer camps, tumbling clinics, birthday parties, and popular "Parents' Night Out" events provides flexible and diverse opportunities for engagement, making it a versatile resource for local families. The integration of Leslie's Dance Academy within their facility also expands the artistic and athletic options available.

In essence, Countryside Gymnastics is more than just a place to learn flips and tumbles; it's a vital community hub where children build physical skills, grow in confidence and personality, and become part of a supportive "family." Its dedication to quality instruction, comprehensive programming, and a genuinely nurturing environment makes it an ideal and highly recommended choice for any North Carolina family seeking an enriching and impactful experience for their children.

Countryside Gymnastics

330 McArthur Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28311, USA