Gymnastics or Ninja: Which Gymfinity Kids class should my child do?

At Gymfinity Kids, we offer gymnastics and ninja classes for children who are eager to get active and learn new skills. A frequently asked question from parents looking to enrol their children into our weekly activity classes is, “Which activity would my child enjoy the most?”

Here, we break down the main differences between the two activities, what the classes entail and which option could be best, depending on the interests of your child.

Gymnastics or Ninja: Which Gymfinity Kids class should my child do?

Gymfinity Kids Gymnastics classes and Ninja classes are both physically engaging activities for kids, but they each focus on different skill sets, techniques, and goals.

Hit the buttons below to find out more about our activity programs, and take a look below to discover the key differences.

EXPLORE GYMNASTICS

EXPLORE NINJA

1. Goals and Focus

Gymnastics Classes: These classes primarily focus on traditional gymnastics skills, such as flexibility, strength, balance, and body control. The goal is often to build a foundation for competitive gymnastics or simply to develop coordination and body awareness.

Ninja Classes: Ninja classes are typically inspired by obstacle courses and activities similar to what you’d see in shows like Ninja Warrior. The focus is on agility, coordination, and strength through obstacle challenges rather than formal gymnastics skills.

2. Skills Taught

Gymnastics Classes: Kids learn specific gymnastics skills like rolls, cartwheels, handstands, backflips, and basic routines. They also practice on equipment like the balance beam, bars, vault, and floor. Their floorwork will focus on artistry and they may put routines together to music.

Ninja Classes: Ninja classes focus on movement skills needed to navigate various obstacles. This includes climbing, swinging, jumping, flipping, and balancing on challenging surfaces. They may utilise the gymnastics equipment in doing these skills but will approach the apparatus in a different style to the gymnasts. Our ninjas might also work on climbing walls, monkey bars, and other ninja-style equipment.

3. Structure of Classes

Gymnastics Classes: Classes tend to follow a structured curriculum, with progressions in each skill area, and often have a focus on form, technique, and muscle memory. In the run-up to competitions, classes will emphasise routines across various apparatus, including a floorwork routine.

Ninja Classes: These classes often emphasise functional movement, creativity, and fun through obstacle challenges. There may be less focus on precise form and more on safely navigating courses with agility, strength, and speed. In the run-up to a competition, ninjas will also focus on obstacle routines and tricks that will need to be performed.

4. Equipment Used

Gymnastics Classes: Gymnasts use specialised equipment in our state-of-the-art gyms like balance beams, uneven bars, trampolines, vaults, and floor mats.

Ninja Classes: Ninja classes utilise a wide range of obstacle-specific equipment such as rope walls, foam pits, hanging rings, and warp walls that promote more dynamic movements.

5. Physical Benefits

Gymnastics: Helps build flexibility, body alignment, core strength, and controlled power. Gymnastics also hone fine motor skills and muscle control.

Ninja: Focuses on building overall agility, grip strength, coordination, and endurance. Kids often build strength and confidence in handling varied and unpredictable challenges.

6. Mental Focus

Gymnastics: Discipline, focus, and attention to detail are key. Gymnasts learn to repeat and perfect routines, which develops patience and precision.

Ninja: Encourages problem-solving and creative thinking, as children must find their own ways to navigate obstacles. This fosters adaptability and quick decision-making.

7. Age Range and Accessibility

Gymnastics: Our gymnastics classes are geared toward a range of age groups, from toddlers in our Preschool Movement parent-assisted classes to teens in competitive teams. We have competitive teams called Squads that will compete with other Gymfinity Kids clubs and external gymnastics clubs.

Ninja: Our Ninja classes are accessible to a broad age range as well, but are particularly appealing to kids who enjoy high-energy, fast-paced, non-traditional physical activities. We also have Ninja Squads who compete with different Gymfinity Kids and external clubs.

Squads are invite-only, which means coaches will keep an eye on children who have the skill level for their club’s squad team and let parents know if their child has the skills to join these groups. If you wish to find out more about our Squads and how your child can join, please speak to your child’s coach.

8. Competition & Award Opportunities

In both our gymnastics and ninja classes, the children can progress through various levels of our in-house award scheme. We host Award Week a few times a year where we celebrate the children’s achievements by either awarding certificates congratulating them on moving to a new level, or they get a certificate which shows what they’re working towards.

We hold both gymnastics and ninja competitions across our clubs to help children experience competitive sports, which gives focus and motivation.

Our competitive ninja events tend to be less formalised than gymnastics competitions and are focused more on challenges and tricks.

So, which activity will your child enjoy?

Now you know about the key differences between our gymnastics and ninja classes, and as you can tell, they are quite different but each type of class has its unique benefits. See which would suit your child with our summary below:

• Gymnastics classes are structured around traditional gymnastics skills and apparatus, focusing on controlled movements, form, and balance.
• Ninja classes are obstacle-based and emphasize agility, strength, and dynamic movement with a focus on fun and creative problem-solving.

Kids who enjoy both structured skill-building and creative movement may even benefit from trying both! We offer free tasters for our activities at Gymfinity Kids, so if your child isn’t sure which they’d enjoy the most, they are more than welcome to try a free gymnastics taster class and a free ninja taster class…

We can’t wait to see which one they like the best!