Gymtime is the kind of place where everybody knows your name. Or at least Linda Yoon does. Linda, who lives in Edgemont, started Gymtime Place, a children’s gym, 10 years ago when her children were 3 and 1. She wanted to create a community-like gathering place for moms isolated at home with young children — and give children an outlet for all of their energy. Today, Linda still greets every single parent and child to her tumble and sing class with a big smile and a genuine hello.
“There was no place else like it back then and there still isn’t today,” Linda says. She is referring to Gymtime Place’s unlimited format gym class where children, from infancy to 4 years old, can run, tumble and sing at a class every day for a flat fee.
As a mom of twins, I know how expensive children’s classes can be and the value that Gymtime Place offers families is unmatched in the area. This fall’s session is priced at $225 for a 7-week session (seasonal session costs vary by length). Those enrolled can attend up to 1 class/day (there is no class on Tuesdays), making the individual classes break down to around $8 each. This doesn’t take into account an early bird discount or a sibling discount, both of which Linda also offers.
In a sun-filled gymnasium, the classes follow an age-appropriate format of free play, welcome song, and a daily “surprise” which consists of instruments, hand puppets, scarves, and the like, that stimulate and entertain the kiddos, while Linda sings their favorite songs with them. Up next is a special physical obstacle that the children can partake in, followed by parachute play time, bubbles and a good-bye song complete with fun stamps for all.
The mommy and me classes are scheduled by age, and there is about a 50/50 mix of moms and caretakers. Linda is flexible if your kids are a few months younger or older than the others, and she doesn’t mind if your newborn naps in their stroller off to the side. This year, Linda hired a former Gymtime mom as her assistant, which goes to show how much people love her and her classes.
Last winter, Gymtime was honestly my saving grace. My then 18-month old twins loved the classes, and Linda made me feel so comfortable and confident in handling two little ones. I made so many great mom friends, including a woman who traveled up from the city with her 1-year old. (I also recently met a Greenwich mom who makes the trip to Scarsdale with her 15-month old and newborn!) Linda’s energy is contagious and unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. She says it was her own children that inspired her to start this business, but “what differentiates Gymtime from other children’s gyms is that this is really a family too.”
Gymtime birthday party packages are available starting at $375 for an hour and half of fun and pizza.
Gymtime Place, Scarsdale Congregational Church, 1 Heathcote Road, Scarsdale; 914-948-1868. There is a parking lot located across the street from the church.
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Gymtime is the best! We used to live in Tuckahoe and my son went there and it is a huge space to run and play. And what a bargain.We now live in Croton on Hudson and I am desparate for a place like that for my 2 year old this winter.