10 Questions With Launie Aben Of Champion Gymnastics Ann Arbor

Champion Gymnastics Ann Arbor owner Launie Aben entered the world of gymnastics when her oldest daughter became involved in the sport at the age of 4.

Aben has 17 years of gymnastics coaching experience under her proverbial belt, and her fun-loving, personable staff members are safety-certified through USAG, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. She measures the success of her business through the smiling faces of the young athletes that participate in Champion Gymnastics programs and considers it an honor to be a part of the collaborative success of Champion Gymnastics pupils.

Aben shares with Patch the benefits of gymnastics and how Champion Gymnastics distinguishes itself from other gyms.

Patch: How’d you come to find yourself in the world of gymnastics? What’s the story behind it all?

Aben: I first became involved in gymnastics when my oldest daughter began at the age of 4. I began working for a local community education program and from there, the rest is history. I’ve been coaching gymnastics for the past 17 years.

Patch: Tell us about your definition of success. How do you measure it?

Aben: My definition of success has several meanings to me. It’s based on the smiling and excited faces of a young athlete who learns a cartwheel for the first time, the thrill of watching our team win a competition amongst the top gyms in the state. Achieving success doesn’t happen without the collaboration of many, in my world, and it’s a privilege and honor to be blessed to live in it.

Patch: Can you tell us a little bit about the different classes and programs Champion Gymnastics Ann Arbor offers?

Aben: Champion Gymnastics Ann Arbor offers several programs for girls and boys ages 18 months to 18 years. We offer beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, along with a full-team program. Birthday parties and field trips are also available during the year.

It’s not uncommon for our open gym and Toddler Times programs to be packed with children and parents playing in our pits or bouncing on our 50-foot-long trampoline. Tumbling classes are also offered for those looking to improve upon their tumbling skills for cheer, martial arts or dance and is open to children in middle school through high school age. Kids love it in our state-of-the-art facility. We have a “no need to wait until the session is over” enrollment policy, and registration is taken daily.

Patch: You are the captain of your own proverbial ship, and some might say that good leaders never stop learning. Tell us about your favorite books.

Aben: My favorite book to read is “The Purpose-Driven Life” by Rick Warren simply because we are all born for a greater purpose, given life by God and then find our calling in order to give it back to others. I feel that my purpose is to ensure the happiness of all children who enter our doors, to offer them a safe and fun environment and find a passion for the sport of gymnastics, all while building self-confidence, body awareness, a healthy mind and a strong body!

Patch: What are some questions parents should ask when trying to find a reputable gymnastics program?

Aben: When looking for a good gymnastics facility, parents should — first and foremost — look for a safe and clean environment, followed by a kind and compassionate staff. Gymnastic coaches should be knowledgeable in their sport, but the most important aspect of a good gym is that it practices continuing education, all while keeping up on the latest trends and changes within the sport itself.

Patch: What’s the summer experience at Champion Gymnastics?

Aben: We offer six, one-week summer camps starting in late June and running through July and August. Each camp is theme-specific, wherein the arts and crafts are geared towards the weekly theme. Camp themes might include beach week, safari week or Olympics week, depending on the year.

The culmination of the summer program is rounded out by a carnival-themed open house. The entire community is invited to join us for a fun-filled morning of face painting, helium balloons, a bounce house, popcorn, cotton candy, free raffles, giveaways and — of course — gymnastics!

Patch: How can gymnastics benefit children?

Aben: Gymnastics is considered a head-to-toe workout. We just don’t focus on one specific area of our bodies; it is important that every muscle group, even the tips of our toes, are worked to ensure safety and proper training. Children from a very young age can benefit from this sport.

There are several stretches and strengthening exercises we introduce to our 18-month-olds that encourage the development of their head, neck, shoulders and back. The importance of strengthening these areas are essential to a child learning to sit, crawl and eventually stand. A strong core and back at any age is a key component to our overall health.

Patch: Can you tell us a little bit about your staff?

Aben: Champion Gymnastics Ann Arbor has a wonderful, kind and fun-loving staff! Each staff member is encouraged to be safety-certified through USAG and must pass a Heads Up concussion training course. Staff members are put through a 30 to 60-day training period based on their coaching experience in the sport.

Personality is always a plus when seeking employment. Children need to be entertained and loved, and we strive to ensure every athlete feels that.

Patch: How does Champion Gymnastics Ann Arbor stand out from the competition? How is it special?

Aben: Our gymnastics program is special, and our staff plays a large part in that. We make sure to train and certify our employees to ensure the safety of our athletes and spectators. Progress reports are given mid-way through our eight-week sessions, and a full evaluation is given upon the conclusion. We actively seek out children who exhibit an advanced ability to grow our team program and are always looking to improve.

Fun is a key component to the overall success of our program, with themed lesson plans and props. The best part about our lesson plans is the variety we offer in terms of learning various skills throughout the session and seeing the excitement when our athletes gain a grasp of these new skills!

Patch: Let our Ann Arbor-area readers know how they can learn more about Champion Gymnastics!

Aben: Check out our website at www.champgymaa.com or contact us by phone at (734) 222-1810.

Photo credit: Champion Gymnastics Ann Arbor