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First off, I'd say the "little gym, whoa is me" is vastly over exaggerated on here. There are plenty of gyms that aren't big names (relatively) that are successful.

I'm not saying this to directly refute what you're saying, but adding this as perspective. Have you ever considered the possibility that cheerleading might not even have the popularity it does now, if it weren't for the big names (big gyms)? Following along the lines of what you're saying, if every gym was a small gym that only had a handful of talent relative to the size of the gym, you would in turn have a lot less talented routines.

Missing would be the shock and awe of CEA SE's heel to heel tic tocs, Orange's perfectly coordinated jumps, or F5's amazing tumbling, WCSS's swagger, etc. There are just some things that don't have the same effect and visible wow factor if you don't have that talent from top to bottom. And i'm not saying this CAN'T be done by smaller gyms, but it's clearly much easier for gyms that choose from a larger pool. And in a sport that fights for respectability, the easier it can be to draw in those casual viewers with amazing performances the better.

*woe, not whoa...sorry, had to.
 
Also just throwing this out there, but did it ever occur to anyone that most "big gyms" had the first mover advantage, i.e. have been around for a while before the market became saturated in most places? As someone pointed out, every big gym owner was once a small gym owner...
 
Also just throwing this out there, but did it ever occur to anyone that most "big gyms" had the first mover advantage, i.e. have been around for a while before the market became saturated in most places? As someone pointed out, every big gym owner was once a small gym owner...

All star gyms are not a new phenomenon. I can't speak to every place in the country, but when we started in 1994, there were several gyms in our area. Most of those have long since closed their doors. (Club Cheer, Garland All stars, Southwest Spirit, Cheer Techniques, AACU, Etc.).

I suppose that having a strong reputation can certainly be an advantage over a new start-up. However most of the biggest gyms around now started as small gyms up against many other highly competitive small gyms in their area. They didn't just pop up in an empty market and get flooded with people walking in the door.
 
I have to agree with a few of the post here but most "big gyms" have been around for almost 20 years and have built themselves up from being a small gym. I can't think of one "big gym" that came out there 1st year being popular.

I remember back in the early 2000's when people would confuse California Allstars with Cheer Athletics! We would always be at NCA and say "Are those the new cheer athletics uniforms?!" Now look at California Allstars. They have won worlds medals/rings & have opened up a number of new locations. Prime example of starting small and working hard to become known in the industry as a leader in cheerleading and a "Big Gym!"
 
First off, I'd say the "little gym, whoa is me" is vastly over exaggerated on here. There are plenty of gyms that aren't big names (relatively) that are successful.

I'm not saying this to directly refute what you're saying, but adding this as perspective. Have you ever considered the possibility that cheerleading might not even have the popularity it does now, if it weren't for the big names (big gyms)? Following along the lines of what you're saying, if every gym was a small gym that only had a handful of talent relative to the size of the gym, you would in turn have a lot less talented routines.

Missing would be the shock and awe of CEA SE's heel to heel tic tocs, Orange's perfectly coordinated jumps, or F5's amazing tumbling, WCSS's swagger, etc. There are just some things that don't have the same effect and visible wow factor if you don't have that talent from top to bottom. And i'm not saying this CAN'T be done by smaller gyms, but it's clearly much easier for gyms that choose from a larger pool. And in a sport that fights for respectability, the easier it can be to draw in those casual viewers with amazing performances the better.
I had 3 teams when my small senior team did heel to heel tic tocs in the 90's!!!
 
I had 3 teams when my small senior team did heel to heel tic tocs in the 90's!!!
it hit post before finishing!
Large gyms are there b/c they worked their butts off to get there... We have been small since Wilmington Allstars... and changed the name, never closing the doors... but we are in a market with 2 and 1/2 sides of us being water... Wish we could use fish for cheerleaders! ... but i am tired of the small gym, large gym sayings... lets just take that out and compete against each other at all competitions and not have this 75- small etc...! Probably will never happen but Just sayin...
 
Out of curiosity, what numbers make the cutoff for "small gym", "medium gym", "large gym", and "mega-gym" in your opinion?
 
Out of curiosity, what numbers make the cutoff for "small gym", "medium gym", "large gym", and "mega-gym" in your opinion?

in my unimportant opinion, i'd say up to 100 small, up to 250 medium, up to 350 large, over 400 mega.. but maybe i'm reaching too far. not sure of actual numbers but i'm guessing WC, Rays, and Cheer Athletics have 500+ in one location and then if we're counting "programs" vs. "gyms" add in Cali, CEA, and maybe a few others.
 
Im glad we have big gyms. Its motivation to do better. I know my first time I beat a big gym, I was on cloud 9.

However, on the other side of things, I don't even want to get into how big gyms act (and how other people act who are also small gyms) whenever a small gym beats a big gym. Its disgusting how owners and coaches (and kids) act if they are a big gym and get beat.
 
Out of curiosity, what numbers make the cutoff for "small gym", "medium gym", "large gym", and "mega-gym" in your opinion?
I don't have an answer for that... But I can't say we are a small gym even though we have only 75 allstar members... bc we have 500 tumbling members...

but I would rather just see GYM and leave out the small, large etc... everyone knows who small and large gyms are anyways it doesnt have to be broadcasted!
 
In my opinion...
Small Gym - up to 60 athletes (3 teams)
Medium Gym - 61 - 100 athletes (3-6 teams)
Large Gym - 101 - 200 athletes (6 teams - 12 teams)
Mega Gym - 201+ athletes and multiple locations & having teams within the same organization competing in the same division

I've lived in a couple of cities that have had one of the major game players just a quick drive away - and I've always been affiliated with the smaller program. I think that when your small, you can help create a family style environment that some people look for.
Conversely, I think that if your a small gym in a competitive area (and don't have that major team at level 5) you become a feeder program for the major gyms. I don't think that's always a bad thing - because when you have the super strong level 2 and 3 teams and program XYZ is always focused on their 4+ level 5 teams, you have a large target market.

The "mega gyms" totally give everyone something to aspire to - and make attending the national competitions across the country super interesting. Many small gyms have made major impacts in the industry as well...maybe not dominating level 5, but some very impressive routines and skill sets for only sometimes having a gym with 55 athletes!
 
I really think you're beating a dead horse with this one. There will always be teams, sports,athletes and people in general who are fantastic at their craft, but don't get recognition for it. But then again, everybody has to start somewhere. But then again, they could always still be unknown. But who knows? Thats life right? Anyways, I just think that if you work hard enough, do the best you can and put your self out their, success will come.

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Here's my story:
My daughter started cheer in a small gym and we loved it!!! However, we did notice that we were not attending competitive competitions. We were definitely good enough to compete with the "big gyms". After a year there, the tuition went through the roof. We started looking at "big gyms" and even though we would pay a little more than the "small gym" we were getting way more in return. More tumbling, more men coaches that could hold girls in the air.
I think that if the "small gyms" that have good talent would go to the more competitive competitions, they would definitely be noticed!!
 
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