Our competitive teams are invite-only, and we hold formal tryouts every year in December for the following season for our Women's Teams.
If they demonstrate the appropriate skills and attitude, new gymnasts trying out will be placed in Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, XCel Bronze, XCel Silver or XCel Gold. In order to advance to higher levels within their program in future seasons, gymnasts must: 1) Master the appropriate skills to allow them to safely progress to the skills in the next level, 2) Show the proper attitude and mental readiness for the demands of the next level, 3) Maintain strength and conditioning standards in place to ensure all athletes are able to safely perform their skills, and 4) Attain the minimum scores required by both USA Gymnastics & Ingrid’s Birmingham Elite Gymnastics in competition.
We do not hold formal tryouts for our Men's Teams.
Our Men's Team program is much smaller than our Women's Team program, so tryouts are not necessary at this time. We watch and test our boys in their regular recreational classes, and we invite those who demonstrate the appropriate skills and attitude. If you would like your gymnast to be considered for our Men's Team, please send us an email. All move ups for the Men's Team program take place in the Spring.
We currently have Compulsory, Optionals and XCel teams at Ingrid's Birmingham Elite Gymnastics.
Compulsory Program (Levels 1-5): The Compulsory Program consists of specific routines that the gymnast must learn exactly as they are written. USA Gymnastics created the routines with the goal that the gymnasts learn discipline and have a strong gymnastics foundation before advancing to the optional levels. All of the skills in compulsory gymnastics are progressive.
XCel Program (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond): The XCel Program is an alternative USA Gymnastics competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of XCel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience.
Optionals Program (Levels 6+): The Optionals Program has a set of guidelines, or level requirements, and routines are built around them. Each gymnast has her own music, personality and choreography. Her routine is built to show off her strengths.
Men's Compulsory Program (Levels 3-6): The Men's Compulsory Program consists of specific routines that the gymnast must learn exactly as written, with the option to add certain bonuses (more difficult progressions of the skill in the routine). USA Gymnastics created the routines with the goal that the gymnasts learn discipline and have a strong gymnastics foundation before advancing to the optional levels. All of the skills in compulsory gymnastics are progressive.
Men's Optionals Program (Levels 7+): The Men's Optionals Program has a set of guidelines, or level requirements, and routines are built around them. Each gymnast has his own choreography for each event. His routines are built to show off his strengths.
XCel Program (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond): The XCel Program is an alternative USA Gymnastics competitive program offering individual flexibility to coaches and gymnasts. The goal of XCel is to provide gymnasts of varying abilities and commitment levels the opportunity for a rewarding gymnastics experience.
Optionals Program (Levels 6+): The Optionals Program has a set of guidelines, or level requirements, and routines are built around them. Each gymnast has her own music, personality and choreography. Her routine is built to show off her strengths.
Men's Compulsory Program (Levels 3-6): The Men's Compulsory Program consists of specific routines that the gymnast must learn exactly as written, with the option to add certain bonuses (more difficult progressions of the skill in the routine). USA Gymnastics created the routines with the goal that the gymnasts learn discipline and have a strong gymnastics foundation before advancing to the optional levels. All of the skills in compulsory gymnastics are progressive.
Men's Optionals Program (Levels 7+): The Men's Optionals Program has a set of guidelines, or level requirements, and routines are built around them. Each gymnast has his own choreography for each event. His routines are built to show off his strengths.
What character and personality traits do we look for in a competitive team gymnast?
- Respectful attitude toward coaches, teammates and other competitors
- Coachability - when coaches give corrections, gymnasts are expected to listen and make the corrections
- Work ethic - as gymnasts progress, the skills will become more difficult and the conditioning demands will increase; they are expected to put in the work inside and outside of the gym
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to face fears - there is a required level of trust between gymnasts and their coaches, and the gymnasts must be willing to try some scary things with the help of their coaches if they want to succeed in the sport
- Ability to follow instructions
What physical traits do we look for in a competitive team gymnast?
- Upper body and core strength
- Flexibility
- Coordination/Balance
- Body control and awareness
- Explosive power
- Musicality
