In the United States, USA Gymnastics (USAG) is the governing body that runs the gymnastics community. Their system is called the Developmental Program (DEV) Program and the ultimate goal is to generate elite-level or collegiate athletes. To get to the elite/college level, gymnasts must pass through 10 levels. At Gymnastics East, our Pre-Team is a developmental program that focuses on preparing young gymnasts for competitive gymnastics. Gymnasts are hand selected by our coaches when they exhibit a passion for gymnastics combined with physical and mental aptitude. Our pre-team program is progressive and structured to ensure the gymnasts follow the technique and conditioning required to stay safe and confident in the gym. Qualifying for a gymnastics team is very exciting, but also involves a high-level of commitment and responsibility from both the gymnast and her family.
Level 1 gymnasts are hand-picked from our tiny tot and class programs and practice at our Issaquah Team Gym. Our Level 1s do not attend formal competitions, but they do compete in our Mini Nationals events that we host two to three times a year in which they perform the USAG Level 1 skills and routines.
Level 2 is the second level in the USAG Developmental Program, but it’s a level that not all gyms choose to compete. Our Level 2s attend mandatory gymnastics meets, along with the state competition. Gymnasts must be of a minimum age of 5 to compete in Level 2. They are required to pay competition and team apparel fees along with doing family volunteer hours. The girls practice at our Issaquah Team Gym.
Gymnasts in our Level 1 program will move into the Level 2 program if they meet the requirements. If there are additional open spots, our coaches will hand-pick gymnasts from our class program.
At Gymnastics East, we follow the USAG guidelines which states Level 3 as the first official compulsory competition level with a State Competition. Gymnasts must be of a minimum age of 6 to compete in Level 3. Our Level 3s attend mandatory gymnastics meets and are required to pay competition and team apparel fees along with doing family volunteer hours. The girls practice at our Issaquah Team Gym.
Gymnasts in our Level 2 program will move into the Level 3 program if they meet the requirements.
At Gymnastics East, our level 4 team trains at our Bellevue Gym. All level 4 team members have passed our level 3 requirements to move to level 4 and meet the minimum age requirement of 7 years old. The level 4’s attend mandatory gymnastics competitions and require competitive fees, team apparel, and family volunteer time.
Level 5 is the highest compulsory level in the Developmental Program. At Gymnastics East, our level 5 team trains at our Bellevue Gym. All level 5 team members have passed our level 4 requirements to move to level 5 and meet the minimum age requirement of 7 years old. The level 5’s attend mandatory gymnastics competitions and require competitive fees, team apparel, and family volunteer time.
Level 6 and 7 are the first optional levels in the Developmental Program. At Gymnastics East, our level 6-7 team trains at our Bellevue Gym. All level 6-7 team members have passed the level 5 requirements to move to level 6 or level 7 and meet the minimum age requirement of 7 years old. Each of these levels have similar requirements with level 7 being more specific to harder skill requirements. To become a level 7, all requirements must be met by the gymnast before moving up. The level 6-7’s attend mandatory gymnastics competitions and require competitive fees, team apparel, and family volunteer time.
Level 8 is the third optional level in the Developmental Program. At Gymnastics East, our level 8 team trains at our Bellevue Gym. All level 8 team members have passed our level 7 requirements to move to level 8 and meet the minimum age requirement of 8 years old. All level 8’s that compete in the State Championship competition will have a chance to qualify to Regional Championships. The level 8’s attend mandatory gymnastics competitions and require competitive fees, team apparel, and family volunteer time.
Level 9 is the fourth optional level in the Developmental Program. At Gymnastics East, our level 9 team trains at our Bellevue Gym. All level 9 team members have passed our level 8 requirements to move to level 9 and meet the minimum age requirement of 8 years old. All level 9’s that compete in the State Championships will have a chance to qualify to Regional Championships which will then give them an opportunity to qualify for the Western National Championships. The level 9’s attend mandatory gymnastics competitions and require competitive fees, team apparel, and family volunteer time.
Level 10 is the final optional level in the Developmental Program. At Gymnastics East, our level 10 team trains at our Bellevue Gym. All level 10 team members have passed our level 9 requirements to move to level 10 and meet the minimum age requirement of 8 years old. All level 10’s that compete in the State Championships will have a chance to qualify to Regional Championships which will then give them an opportunity to qualify for the Junior Olympic National Championships. The level 10’s attend mandatory gymnastics competitions and require competitive fees, team apparel, and family volunteer time.