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Sara Beth Gilbert offers various recreational gymnastics classes for youth at Sara Beth’s Gymnasts in Chelsea. (REPORTER PHOTOS/KEITH MCCOY)

CHELSEA – Sara Beth Gilbert knew a youth gymnastics business might work in Chelsea because of first-hand experience.

“I saw that there was a real need for gymnastics in this area when I went to register my 4-year-old boy/girl twins in classes,” said, owner and coach at Sara Beth’s Gymnasts.

The business has been so well received that it has outgrown its home at the Chelsea Community Center and held a grand opening ceremony sponsored by local chambers of commerce at its new location on Aug. 27.

Sara Beth’s Gymnasts is located at 10699 Shelby County 280 (Old Hwy. 280) in Chelsea, after Gilbert started at the Community Center to ensure there was enough interest before investing heavily in a program.

“After a month or two, I knew I wanted to come to my own space,” she said.

Classes at the Community Center began in January and continued through July, and then Gilbert took off about a month to transition the new space, including moving equipment from several different locations.

“We had a lot of moving to do,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said she grew up participating in recreational gymnastics from as early as age 4, and began helping teach at age 12, later teaching competitive gymnastics and serving as a recreational director.

Upon graduating from college, Gilbert faced a decision about her career path, and she chose to pursue work in her field of study, computer science.

“That was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make,” she said.

When she later became pregnant, Gilbert said she wanted to “get out from behind the desk.”

“At that point, my whole life plan went out the window,” she said.

Gilbert said she thought she would eventually go back into corporate work but realized her love of teaching gymnastics and swimming.

“Swimming and gymnastics were always my passions, and they just happened to turn into a career,” she said.

Gilbert also offers swim lessons through Splash Water Safety (SplashWaterSafety.com).

Sara Beth’s Gymnasts offers “mommy and me,” preschool, beginner and intermediate classes for ages 4 through 8 and up.

There are also tumbling and open gym offerings.

About 50 students currently take classes, which range from 30-minute sessions to 50 minutes. Gilbert has one assistant and is looking to hire one or two more to keep up with demand.

Visit SaraBethsGymnasts.com for more information or to enroll.

Gilbert said she enjoys being part of the community as a business owner, and seeing children learn skills that translate into lifelong benefits in balance, flexibility, strength, endurance, energy, focus, confidence, leadership and wellness.

“A lot of people don’t think about all the mental benefits of it,” she said.

Feedback has been positive about the new location, Gilbert said.

“I have had overwhelming support and enthusiasm for this space,” she said. “The community seems to be very excited.”

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