If parents are looking for a sport that will strengthen their child’s balance, develop precision in body movement and bolster mental toughness, then they should look no further than gymnastics. This centuries-old sport puts the flexibility of the human body to test in an elegant show of balance, coordination and agility. ---

Not quite sure your five-year-old is up to the task? Don’t worry. Gymnastic classes are offered in all skill levels in gyms across the city. Instructors teach basic movements for young children and beginners, then up the difficulty and intensity as a child gets older.

To further convince you of how fantastic gymnastics can be, we spoke with two young New York City gymnasts about their love and dedication to the sport.

Melody Salerno, 16, NYC Elite

How long have you been involved with gymnastics?

I’ve been doing it since I was seven and I am now 16, so nine years.

Was signing up for gymnastics classes your own decision or your parents?

Both. I tried out many different sports and then I found gymnastics and realized I loved it. I was only two weeks into the recreational classes when they asked me to join the pre-team.

The pre-team in gymnastics is for the serious competitors. Recreational programs typically only meet about once a week. What kind of time commitment is required for competitive gymnastics?

It’s very time consuming. I have a four-hour workout five days a week. Balancing that with school is challenging but also doable. It teaches me time management, and turns out to be positive in the long run.

Does that kind of commitment ever get overwhelming?

[At] the beginning of each school year I would question whether I wanted to stay with it. I’ve come very close to quitting but I have coaches [that] support me. My coach has definitely kept me in the sport and helped me to love it as much as I do now.

How competitive is team gymnastics?

It’s definitely very stressful at times but I think it’s a good kind of stressful. You learn to cope with the kind of pressure you are put under and you always have your teammates alongside you.

What is your favorite event?

Beams, even though everyone tells me how scary beams must be. It’s the event you need to use your mind the most. You need to be focused and mentally strong and that is one of my strengths.

What do you think it takes to be a competitive gymnast?

Lots of time management but mostly dedication. If you are really interested and passionate about the sport, the talent comes with it. It’s really about being into it and loving the sport. That’s what is going to keep you going and help you be successful.

What has been your proudest achievement in the sport so far?

I won First Place for fifteen-year-old Regional Champions. That was really exciting because last year I didn’t even qualify for Regionals. This year, I qualified and not only qualified but also won the meet. I was very happy about that.

Would you recommend that more kids get involved in gymnastics?

Absolutely. I really think it was a good choice. I have learned so much. To be dedicated to something like this will carry me very far in life.

For more information, visit nycelite.com.

Luca Ricciardi, 13, Chelsea Piers

How long have you been involved with gymnastics and how many days a week do you typically practice?

I have been involved for about six years. I practice four days a week for about three and a half hours.

That is a lot of practice time. Do you ever want to not attend a practice?

Sometimes when I’m tired but most of the time I want to go.

How does all that practice affect your schoolwork?

Sometimes I have to leave practice early but it’s manageable.

How different is team gymnastics from other team sports?

It’s different from other sports like football or soccer because it’s more individual work.

What is your favorite event?

High bar. I like the kind of gymnastics you do on the high bar like the giant and dismounts.

What has been your greatest achievement in the sport so far?

I was the 2011 State Champion in level seven.

What would you say to a kid interested in gymnastics who thinks the sport might be too difficult or challenging?

It’s a hard sport, it takes a lot of time and dedication. So, I would say that you should never give up and keep trying.

What are your future goals in gymnastics?

I don’t really want to go to the Olympics. Overall, I want to get better. Right now, I’m not that strong and that is a really important thing in gymnastics. So, to get strong would help a lot.

For more information, visit chelseapiers.com.

Where To Learn And Practice Gymnastics

74th St. MAGIC
510 East 74th Street, 212-737-2989
74magic.com

92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Avenue, 212-415-5500
92y.org

ABC Gym Kids
St. Veronica’s Church
149-155 Christopher Street, 347-622-1009
nycgymkids.com

Asphalt Green
555 East 90th Street, 212-369-8890
asphaltgreen.org

Chelsea Piers
23rd Street & the Hudson River, 212-336-6666
chelseapiers.com

Columbus Gym
606 Columbus Avenue, 212-721-0090
columbusgymnyc.com

Gymboree Play & Music
Multiple locations in Manhattan, 877-496-5327
gymboreeclasses.com

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues
1520 York Avenue, 212-861-7732
gymtime.net

JCC in Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Avenue, 646-505-4444
jccmanhattan.org

Jodi’s Gym
244 East 84th Street, 212-772-7633
jodisgym.com

Kidville
Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-772-8435
kidville.com

My Gym
250 East 60th Street, 212-421-9496
22 West 66th Street, 212-724-3400
my-gym.com

NYC Elite
100 Avenue of the Americas, 212-334-3628
421 East 91st Street, 212-289-8737
nycelite.com

NY Kids Club
Multiple locations in Manhattan, 347-706-4700
nykidsclub.com

Sokol NY
420 East 71st Street, 212-861-8206
sokolnewyork.org

YMCA
Multiple locations in Manhattan, 212-630-9600
ymcanyc.org