C
arol Kromer, co-owner of The Little Gym in Morgan Hill with
her husband Kurt, still remembers the awe she felt at age ten
watching gymnast Nadia Cománeci compete in the Olympics.
“I was glued to that TV, saying I want to do that.” Kromer
pursued her passion, competing on the team for Cupertino High
School and “grew” her sport into college at DeAnza College.
Years later, after working at home as she raised her four children, she was
excited to take advantage of the opportunity to open a Little Gym business just
before her husband received a job transfer to Washington State. “I love the sport of
gymnastics. And I love children, so it was a perfect fit to be a coach,” she recalled.
Having just been certified through “owner boot camp,” with a house purchased
in Washington, and a space almost rented for her new gym, her husband’s
company canceled the transfer. “There I sat with a lovely piece of paper saying
TODAY .
congratulations, but now we’re not moving,’” she told
Fortunately, there were several other territories in need of a Little Gym,
including Morgan Hill, to which the south San Jose resident said she felt “drawn.”
The Kromers opened the gym in July of 2006, and the ten-year-old gym now
offers over 48 weekly classes to more than 475 members, ages four months to
twelve years. All classes three and under are parent-and-child together.
Kromer adores Morgan Hill’s community, and the feeling appears to be mutual.
Last year, the centerpiece of their unfinished parade float—a small wooden play-
house—was stolen off their truck on the property. Kromer recalled, “I was so
upset and hurt that anybody would do that,” but she posted a message on their
community page asking if anyone had seen the missing house. The community
flooded her with financial donations in reply. “I was overcome with emotion,” she
said, tearing up.
While there are several gyms in Morgan Hill, what sets The Little Gym apart,
said Kromer, are its ideals of “putting family first, and focusing on nurturing
the child not just pushing to build skill, and teaching through a positive
environment.” The Little Gym relies upon a teaching method she called “specific
positive feedback.” She gave the example, “Every time a child does a skill I will
evaluate that skill immediately and say, ‘I loved the wa y you kept your arms really
straight, next time try to kick your feet up just a little higher.’ This offers children
something to feel proud of about themselves but also offers concrete areas of
improvement. We never yell at them,” she said. “There’s so much of the world
that will drag them down, we want to build them up.”
Kids learn numerous skills, from self-confidence, to memorization, to brain-
boosting activities in the three and under classes. Along with gymnastics, karate,
dance and sports classes, they offer a preschool enrichment program, summer and
school holiday camps, parents’ survival nights, holiday-themed events, numerous
other activities and birthday parties. Visit their website at: tlgmorganhillca.com.
gmh
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
MARCH/APRIL 2017
gmhtoday.com
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