Frequently Asked
If there’s a question you want an answer to, the answer is likely below.
If you still have no joy, use the form at the bottom of the page to send us a query and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Gymnastics
Which Gymnastics class should my child start in?
- If your child is a beginner then they should start at the beginning level for their age group.
- If they are 5 or under and not yet at school, then the under 5s program is the best place to begin.
- If they are aged Prep-6yrs then a mixed gender stage 1 beginners class is the correct one.
- If they are aged 7 or 8 then one of our 7-8 stage 2 classes is the starting point.
- If your child is 9, 10 or 11 then a 9-11 stage 3 class is the one to start in.
- If your child is 12+ then we have classes specifically for pre-teen & teenagers.
If your child has done gymnastics before, the best thing is to talk to our friendly admin team and we will work out the correct stage to trial in, and ask the coach to assess to see if that skill level is correct.
How does my child progress to the next stage of Gymnastics class?
Our stages program is skills based.
Each stage has specific skills which have to be achieved in order to progress. These are displayed on a giant certificate wall in the parents area, and the coaches continually assess and mark off skills. (You can see which skills your gymnast has passed, and what is still to go in your parent portal log in) When all the skills are achieved your child’s coach will give them a slip of paper to take to the desk and then we will present them with their certificate. (You can then choose to move to a higher level class)
What is gymnastics at Balance Brisbane?
At Balance we run a non competitive gymnastics program. You choose how many hours per week you wish to attend. Our program is designed to safely develop artistic gymnastics skills for all the apparatus. Our beginner stage 1 classes for Prep -6 year olds are mixed gender and cover the fundamental movements for the beginning of Gymnastics. As the children move up from there the classes become more specific for boys and girls.
We generally find more girls enroll in Gymnastics, and more boys enrol in Ninja.
Why might my child prefer tumbling to gymnastics?
Some children love handstands, cartwheels and rolls but don’t enjoy working on bars and beam as much. Tumbling will allow them to focus on the skills they like and make quicker progress than doing all the apparatus.
What do I do if my child wants to start competitive gymnastics?
That’s great! Balance Brisbane does not offer competitive gymnastics, however we have many contacts in that area and can help you choose the right club for you and your child.
Ninja
What is Ninja at Balance Brisbane?
Our Ninja program takes place in the lower gym, a space specifically designed for ninja activities. It has walls to run up, chimney up, kick off and cat hang from, a Mr Ninja frame to climb the inclined ladder, roll the dice, jump the salmon ladder, cross the cliff hanger and many more obstacles as well as bars, and balance/precision areas. Not forgetting the huge cargo net!
The program combines parkour, ‘ninja warrior’ obstacles and tricking. For children we have bronze, silver and gold levels, each with three progressive stages. We also run obstacle ninja sessions. Our well trained coaches provide the expertise and environment to improve you or your child’s Ninja skills.
Ninja classes are mixed gender. Generally more boys than girls choose Ninja.
How old do you have to be to start Ninja?
Our ninja program starts with kindy ninja. This is a day time program for children aged 4 up to school age. Our after school program starts at age 5 and goes up in age and skill levels to adults.
Which Ninja class should my child start in?
- 4 year olds can start in our Kindy Ninja program.
- 5-6 year olds should start in a 5-6 Kickstarter class.
- 6-7 year olds should start in a 6-7 Bronze 1 class
- 8-10 year olds should start in a 8-10 Bronze 1 class.
- 11 and overs should start in a 11 plus Bronze 1-3 combined class or our Obstacle Ninja class.
How does my child move up into the next level of Ninja class?
Our Ninja program is skills based.
Each level of class has specific skills which have to be achieved in order to progress. These are displayed on a giant certificate wall in the parents area, and the coaches continually assess and mark off skills. (You can see which skills your Ninja has passed, and what is still to go in your parent portal log in) When all the skills are achieved your child’s coach will give them a slip of paper to take to the desk and then we will present them with their certificate. You can then choose to move to a higher level class.
Tumbling
What is tumbling at Balance Brisbane?
Tumbling at Balance Brisbane utilises our tumble run, air track and sprung floor which allows our coaching team to teach a progressive program from beginner through intermediate to advanced.
Beginners start with forwards and backward rolls, handstands and cartwheels.
Intermediate skills include the limber, side aerial on the floor and front sault on the trampoline.
Advanced skills include the layout twist on the trampoline, onodi and the front layout on the sprung floor.
Under 5s
Which Balance Brisbane class is right for my preschool child?
Mini Monkeys is for children from 18 months to 3 years, a parent comes into the session with the participants for these sessions.
Juniors is from age 3-4, this is the transition from parents in the session, to parents usually outside watching. Each child is different and parent participation is guided by the needs of the child. The coach may also request parent participation for a particular part of the session.
Kindy and Kindy Ninja are for age 4-5. These programs are designed for the kindy year before school. Children are mainly able to participate without parent involvement (although you can of course watch).
What’s the difference between Kindy and Kindy Ninja?
Both of these programs help your kindy age child develop their fundamental movement skills. They help improve balance, coordination, strength and visual spatial skills.
Our Kindy program is based on gymnastics, and uses the space set up for this. Sessions are 45min long and teach the beginnings of gymnastics and fundamental movement.
Our kindy ninja program is based on parkour, tricking and ninja style movements. They take place in our ninja gym. They are quite high intensity and reasonably physically demanding for that reason we keep the session to 45 minutes in length. There is lots of balancing, climbing over obstacles, rolling, hanging and swinging involved.
Attire
What should my child wear and bring for their Gymnastics, Tumbling or Ninja session at Balance?
Any light clothing that will allow freedom of movement and not fall over their head in a handstand position is fine. Many girls wear crop tops and shorts. Boys usually wear shorts and shirts. ‘Activewear’ is also perfect.
We ask that everyone brings a water bottle, which they take into the activity with them. Just make sure there are no sharp or hard bits that could hurt them.
It is also best not to have dangling earrings, or necklaces for safety reasons.
Enrolment and Attendance
Do I need to notify Balance Brisbane of an absence?
No. The coach takes an electronic roll for each session. If your child is absent this will automatically show in your parent portal account as an available make up token, which lasts 6 months.
If we are going to miss a week do we need to let you know in advance?
No you don’t have to. You will receive a make up token when the roll is taken and your child is absent. This makeup token is valid for 6 months.
Do I need to re-book for the next term?
No, when you book in at Balance Brisbane, you are enrolled until you let us know that you would like to stop. You would do this by emailing info@balancebrisbane.com.au at least 2 days before your next billing comes out (ie 2 days before the 1st of the month). This is so that children don’t lose their place in their preferred time slot, with their preferred coach and the same group of children. You only commit financially for one month at a time.
What do I need to do if we are not continuing at Balance for the next month?
If you are not continuing at Balance Brisbane for the next term/month, please let us know by email to info@balancebrisbane.com.au. This allows us to plan our coaches, and offer places to new or returning gymnasts and ninjas. Direct debit fees come out on the first of every month so you must let us know 2 business days prior to the end of the month if you do not wish to continue classes in the upcoming month.
How do Make-Ups work at Balance Brisbane? (Summary)
Our make-up policy is as flexible as we can make it. At the start of each class our coaches take a roll. If your child is marked absent then the system automatically assigns your parent portal account with an available make-up. You can use your parent portal login to book the make-up session.
Makeup tokens have a life of 6 months from when you miss your class. We do not guarantee that you can use your make-up sessions, it is your responsibility to book them. The system is first in best dressed.
Do I have to let you know if we are missing a week to be eligible for a make-up?
No you don’t need to let us know in advance. At the start of each class our coaches take a roll. If your child is marked absent then the system automatically assigns your parent portal account with an available make-up.
Can I watch my child take part in their class?
Yes. At Balance we have both inside and outside parents viewing spaces.
How many hours of gymnastics or ninja does my child need to do each week?
At Balance we leave how many hours you wish to do completely up to you. Many of our participants book in for one hour per week. If your child is very keen and wants to make quicker progress you can book more than one session per week, or, depending on the level they are at, a longer session. Currently we have children coming between 1 hour per week, and 7 hours per week.
Pricing
How much are classes at Balance Brisbane
Current prices are shown on our Pricing page.
How do payments work at Balance Brisbane?
Payments are via our direct debit system, administered by Payrix. Payments are taken from your nominated debit/credit card on the 1st of each month for the number of classes in that month. eg. some months have 4 Mondays, some have 5. You will only be charged for the number of classes that are run and no public holiday charges apply as we close on public holidays.
What happens if I can’t pay on time?
If you realise that you can’t pay on the 1st of the month, please email us at accounts@balancebrisbane.com.au and organise a payment plan.
What is the membership fee for?
At Balance we keep the membership fee as low as possible. The fee covers insurance for all participants, admin costs and any affiliation fees we pay on your behalf. All of these costs are valid for 12 months from time of payment so if you do another sport for a season and then return to Balance within the 12 months, your membership fee is not paid again until the anniversary of the first time you paid it.
And more
How do you measure progress at Balance?
For our school age classes in gymnastics, ninja and tumbling we have a progressive program that clearly identifies the skills at each level. When all those skills are attained your coach will give your child a slip to take to the office where we will award your child their certificate. You can then organise the move to a suitable higher level class if that is required. Our gymnasts have stages 1 through to 10. The ninjas Bronze 1-3, Silver 1-3 and Gold 1-3. Our tumblers have beginner, intermediate and advanced.
How do Trials work at Balance Brisbane?
At Balance Brisbane we don’t do ‘Free’ trials. There are various reasons for this. The main one is that we are committed to finding the correct class for you. So if you or your child are unsure which program you want to book into, you can trial a few. You could trial ninja, tumbling and gymnastics and then make a decision on the one you like best. The cost of a trial is just the cost of one session. Venues that offer ‘Free’ trials often build the cost of the trial into the ongoing costs.