How to Join & What to Expect at Your First Class
Joining Marriotts Gymnastics Club is straightforward, but there are a few steps to complete before your first session — booking your place, registering with British Gymnastics, and knowing what to bring on the day. This page brings all of that together in one place, so whether you're booking your toddler's first preschool class or joining adult gymnastics yourself, you'll know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: Find your class and join the waiting list
Our classes are very popular, and due to high member retention, most age groups currently run a waiting list. Choose the list that matches your (or your child's) age group — 0-2yrs, 3-4yrs Pre-School/Pre-Novice, 5-7yrs, 8-12yrs, 13-17yrs Teen Gymnastics, or Trampoline (7-17yrs) — and we'll offer places on a first-come, first-served basis as spaces open up, generally at the end of each term. Where possible, we offer a taster session to those at the top of the list first.
Step 2: Book and pay online
Once a place is offered, booking is completed online through our class booking system — payment and registration must be completed before the class starts. We don't accept cash payments, and bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable, so please check your dates carefully before confirming.
Step 3: Register with British Gymnastics
As a British Gymnastics registered and GymMark-accredited club, it's a condition of our club registration that every gymnast also holds individual membership with British Gymnastics. This is arranged directly through the British Gymnastics online portal, separately from your Marriotts Gymnastics Club booking, and covers your insurance while training and competing. For adult gymnastics, membership is required by your third session regardless of any gaps in attendance; for children's classes, your coach will confirm the registration deadline that applies to your class.
Step 4: What to wear
Gymnasts should wear a leotard or unitard, or a fitted t-shirt with leggings or shorts suitable for gymnastics, with bare feet or gym socks. Trainers, jewellery, and loose clothing with zips or buckles aren't permitted for safety reasons. If your child wears religious or medical jewellery, our coaches carry out a risk assessment to see whether it can be safely covered with a sweatband — please let your coach know in advance so this can be arranged before the first session.
Step 5: What happens on the day
Arrive a few minutes before your class time so you're ready to start promptly. Recreational and squad sessions typically begin with a warm-up and stretch, move through rotations on apparatus such as vault, bars, beam, floor or trampoline in small ability groups, and finish with a cool-down. Preschool classes are parent/carer-supervised throughout, so you'll be on the equipment alongside your child. All our coaches over 16 are DBS-checked and safeguarding trained, and a member of staff is always on hand if you have questions on your first visit.
Step 6: Settling in
Arrive a few minutes before your class time so you're ready to start promptly. Recreational and squad sessions typically begin with a warm-up and stretch, move through rotations on apparatus such as vault, bars, beam, floor or trampoline in small ability groups, and finish with a cool-down. Preschool classes are parent/carer-supervised throughout, so you'll be on the equipment alongside your child. All our coaches over 16 are DBS-checked and safeguarding trained, and a member of staff is always on hand if you have questions on your first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes — all classes must be booked and paid for online in advance; we don't accept drop-ins or cash payments on the day.
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Yes. Your class booking and payment is made directly with Marriotts Gymnastics Club, while British Gymnastics individual membership is registered and paid for separately through the British Gymnastics online portal.
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A leotard/unitard or a fitted t-shirt with leggings/shorts, with bare feet or gym socks. Trainers and loose jewellery aren't permitted, though religious or medical jewellery can usually be safely covered with a sweatband following a coach risk assessment.
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No — bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of the reason for non-attendance, so please check your dates before booking.
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Join the waiting list for your age group and we'll offer places on a first-come, first-served basis as spaces become available, generally at the end of each term.