Kids Classes Resume At Flex It Gymnastics

By AMY DAVIS

The Progress

Flex It Gymnastics, located at the Jimmy Hughes Campus in Mesquite, reopened on Tuesday, June 2.

The program had to close up shop and cancel all instruction on March 16 due to gubernatorial mandates regarding COVID 19. The program usually offers a few classes a week for kids ages two and up.

Owner Jessica Bucklin has been working the gymnastics program for about 10 years now.
“It is so great to reopen,” Bucklin said. “We came to such an abrupt halt in March.”

Bucklin is trying to put the program back together and pick up where she left off.
“We really just wanted to be able to give the kids something to do,” she said. “We know they were getting antsy for something to do – or maybe parents were getting antsy to have their kids be able to do something.”

Usually Flex IT Gymnastics is closed for the summer. But because of the way COVID-19 closed things they are considering running through July and August this year.
“We will really just play it by ear and see how much interest we have as well as how many students,” Bucklin said.

Teirsa Plum, mother of two gymnastic participants, was happy to see the program available again.
“I am so happy it is finally open,” said Plum. “It is awesome that the kids finally have some normalcy because they really got the brunt end of everything.”

Due to COVID-19, people have been encouraged to stay in their homes and “shelter in place” since mid-March.
“Kids weren’t allowed to do anything: no play dates, no park time, no sports, no friends,” Plum added. “They weren’t allowed to go to the store like we were or even escape to the post office like we could. So, this is huge for them.”

Plum’s kids have been doing gymnastics with Flex It for about a year now.
“I like it because it is exercise and gets them away from screen time,” Plum said. “Gymnastics is great for hand eye coordination and it is really great both physically and mentally.”

Two 5-year-old students weighed in on how they felt about being able to resume gymnastics.
When asked what she thought about being able to come back to class, Alana Davis said, “It’s pretty cool that it is back open.”
She said her favorite thing is being with other people again.

Fellow classmate Rozlyn Ellis agreed. “My favorite part about being back in class is being with friends and doing gymnastics.”

Assistant coach Ashley Ellis said that the restart has been slow. Only around a quarter of the normal amount of students have resumed classes, she said.

“I think the word is starting to get out now that we have reopened, so maybe we will see more faces return soon,” Ellis said. “It is so hot outside, and it is really nice to have something indoors that is still active. We are in air conditioning and they can still get their energy out- outside of the house.”
Ellis outlined some of the benefits.

“Gymnastics is good for creating a well-rounded athlete,” she said. “Every sport needs balance, good hand eye coordination, and body awareness. Gymnastics teaches that. So even before you get into a more competitive sport, gymnastics is a great base to build on.”

Bucklin agreed. “This is also so great for teaching small children how to listen, follow instructions and interact with other kids,” she said. “Gymnastics is so much more than just physical skill.”

Anyone interested in signing up can email Bucklin at Buck_11_@hotmail.com directly or check in with the Mesquite Rec Center.