R- Athletics

Since being established with 30 child athletes in 2010, R-Athletics of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has rapidly expanded into one of the area’s leading training programs for competitive and recreational cheerleading and gymnastics. R-Athletics’ now has more than 600 athletes ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years old, who benefit from coaches with national-level competitive experience.

The R-Athletics competitive program, which is available to students beginning at age 5, learn to perform challenging routines that combine athleticism and grace. The Tiny Team begins with three hours of practice per week, with athletes steadily progressing to six, nine, twelve, and ultimately 23 hours per week of training commitment. Key life skills taught at R-Athletics include hard work, perseverance, personal fitness, and teamwork, with an emphasis on maintaining the highest levels of achievement under pressure.

The approximately 100 members of the R-Athletics gymnastics competitive team have achieved numerous nationwide awards for their achievements in USA Gymnastics events. In 2012 alone, the team achieved National Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor Champion, National All-Around Champion, and back-to-back Michigan State Champion Team distinctions.

R-Athletics promotes healthy living throughout the Grand Rapids area by hosting field trips for daycare and school classes, Girl Scout troops, and church groups. With an emphasis on fun, full hours of safe, supervised gym time include circuit, trampoline, obstacle course, foam pit, and tumble-track activities. Each Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, R-Athletics hosts all-ages open gym hours. R-Athletics’ community commitment extends to planning charitable events on a regular basis. A 2011 R-Athletics team clinic fundraiser notably raised enough money to help pay for a boy’s successful surgery for a rare autoimmune disease.