Without cameras catching every second of action, it’s hard to see everything at a gymnastics meet. At the same time a set of parents is watching their daughter do her floor routine, they are missing what their son is doing on the still rings or pommel horse. While watching the sport can sometimes be stressful for fans that don’t want to miss a single flip or landing, the facility where your gymnastics event takes place should be the least of your concerns. Here are five event-friendly gymnasiums from around the U.S.
World Olympic Gymnastics Academy
Frisco, Texas
Just a half hour north of downtown Dallas, the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Frisco is the U.S. National Team’s training center. The 32,000-square-foot gymnasium has everything a gymnastic competition needs, with many of the pieces of equipment hovering over coverable foam pits. The facility is furnished with locker rooms and a spacious lobby to keep competitors and fans happy.
The Summit Sports and Ice Center
Lansing, Michigan
The Summit is the training home of 2012 U.S. Gold Medalist Jordyn Wieber’s former gymnastics team. The 176,00-square-foot complex houses an ice rink, field house and sports performance center in addition to its gymnasium. Concession stands, an arcade, meeting rooms and ample spectator seating make the Summit an all-in-one event location.
University of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Home to the 2012 NCAA Division III National Champions, the University of Wisconsin Whitewater’s gymnasium is well suited for gymnastics events of all sizes. The university hosted the National Collegiate Gymnastics Championships in 2007 and will do so again in 2013. The facility was completely renovated in 2011 to include a new exercise floor, dance studio, two trampolines and a tumble track.
Byers Gymnastics Center
Sacramento, California
This family-owned facility has only been in use since 2009, but is quickly becoming a top gymnastics location. The massive warehouse-style gymnasium has multiple pieces of every type of equipment, perfect for athletes to warm up on before they are ready to be judged. Byers has three satellite locations in the Sacramento area to accommodate events that require multiple venues.
Brestyan’s American Gymnastics Club
Burlington, Massachusetts
This state-of-the-art facility is where 2012 U.S. Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman was trained. Just a short trip from downtown Boston, Brestyan’s is in a prime location to host gymnastics events for the East Coast. The main gymnasium includes team beams, a tumble track, bars, rings and plenty of vault space. A pre-school and recreational floor space can keep younger siblings entertained during the event.
