Chalk Bucket has interesting survey results posted from David Holcomb and USA Gymnastics last year; survey was offered online to owners of over 1,600 gymnastics schools that are Member Clubs of USA Gymnastics -> over 300 gyms from 41 states; gyms ranged from the very small (20 students) to the very large (over 2,500 students) and every size in between; oldest gym responding opened in 1949, the most recent in June, 2006; most of the gyms offered competitive gymnastics though many did not. Survey results: [quote]- more women (55%) than men (45%) own gymnastics clubs in the USA. - most of the gym owners (75%) are under the age of 50 but only a third are under the age of 40. - most gym owners (70%) have earned a college degree. Only a quarter have earned an advanced degree. - most gym owners were gymnasts (78%) but only a third claim to have been an accomplished gymnast. - most gym owners coach the team either not at all or they coach fewer than 10 hours a week. - 80% of gym owners think that owning a gymnastics school is a good business to be in, over 90% believe that their gym school will continue to grow, and the vast majority of the gym owners (88%) say they would open a gym again if they had it to do all over again. - the average gymnastics school was opened 15 years ago. - the average gymnastics facility is 15,175 sq/ft in size. - most gyms (66%) are air-conditioned. - the average national enrollment in 2005 was around 500 students. This is not peak enrollment, this is average enrollment during he course of the year. - preschool classes averaged between 45 and 50 minutes in length, with 6-7 students in a class, at an average tuition of about $18.00 an hour. Class length did not vary much across the country but tuition levels varied greatly from less than half the national average to almost double the average - entry-level, beginning classes for school-age students averaged about 65 minutes in length, with 8.5 students in a class, at an average tuition of about $13.00 an hour. Again, class length did not vary much at all but tuition levels varied greatly from less than half the national average to almost double the average - teams vary widely (from half the average number of hours and/or tuition to almost double the averages). The averages are as follows: Pre-Team 4 hours a wee $116.00 a month 7 or 8:1 ratio Level 4 6 hours a week $148.00 a month 9 or 10:1 ratio Level 5 8.75 hrs a week $175.00 a month 9 or 10:1 ratio Level 6 11 hours a week $211.00 a month 8.5:1 ratio Level 7 13.5 hrs a week $217.00 a month 8:1 ratio Level 8 15 hours a week $230.00 a month 8:1 ratio Level 9 16.5 hrs a week $250.00 a month 6.5:1 ratio Level 10 18 hours a week $285.00 a month 6.5:1 ratio Elite: not enough information: only 5 gyms out of the 300+ that responded had elite gymnasts.[/quote] No parents watching rule not the norm in gymnastics clubs: [quote]The gym owners were asked about the features of their gyms that they felt contributed the most to the overall success of their gym. The gym owners felt that open observation of all gym activity was most critical. Apparently the days of not allowing the parents to watch their child's training are over. But there is more at work here than merely appealing to the parent's concerns over safety. Many gym owners realize that allowing the parents to watch every minute of every class is a great marketing tool. If the parents cannot see their boy's eyes light up the first time he makes a back somersault without a spot, or see an entire group of little girls make a mad dash to be first in line for the back-handspring machine, or hear the voice of the coach praising the 4 year-olds for being so brave as they crossed the alligator pit- upside down- then how can these parents tell their friends and neighbors about all the great activities going on in the gym every single day of the week? But we all know that even the best gymnasts fall off the beam on occasion and our gym owners recognize that the gymnastics club industry faces challenges. The top three were identified as lack of qualified teachers, Increased competition in kid's sports, and generally poor economic conditions. The survey also asked about the best business decision the gym owner had made in the past two years and the top responses centered on hiring talent, both in terms of business management and in gymnastics expertise, and in relocating and expanding their facilities. Bigger appears to be better as the gyms offer more programs and many gyms are relocating to the fast growing suburbs where young families can be easily found.[/quote] Unqualified teachers in a gymnastics club is a big deal. http://www.chalkbucket.com/forums/showpost.php?p=588&postcount=13