Elevate Sports Center, nestled in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a family-operated gymnastics facility. It was the brainchild of Preston Thygesen, who conceptualized it in late 2018 after relocating his family from West Jordan to Eagle Mountain. With over 15 years of experience aiding numerous Utah gyms in areas ranging from business infrastructure to public-facing imaging, Preston’s expertise is wide-ranging. Additionally, his contribution to higher education extends over five years, where he enriched the lives of both young people and adults.
Participation in gymnastics helps children become physically active, and stay fit and healthy. Taking part in any exercise significantly reduces the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes in adulthood. As of 2010, one in three children in the United States was overweight, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports states that “encouraging moderate and vigorous physical activity among youth is important,” as the habits learned as a child are often carried through to adulthood. Regular participation can teach children how to live a healthy lifestyle, and remain involved in the sport as they grow up.
Partaking in gymnastics can help children sleep better, and equip them with skills to better handle physical and emotional challenges in life. Attending a regular gymnastics class provides young children with the opportunity to communicate with people their own age, work within a team, and engage with adults. Elevate also believes that gymnastics gives children an opportunity to learn about social skills like listening, following directions, taking turns, being quiet, and respecting others. Children also have fun, meet new friends, and learn independence.
The challenging nature of gymnastics requires commitment and concentration. The structure of gymnastics lessons teaches children how hard work and dedication pays off. Positive experiences in gymnastics can build confidence through achievement, and illustrates to children that commitment to sport benefits them. Rules and codes of conduct in gymnastics help children learn the importance of rules for safety, and teach respect towards others.