Lake Houston - Humble - Kingwood Edition | May 2023

BUSINESS FEATURE Juergen’s Gymnastics Academy

BY WESLEY GARDNER

Olympic-modeled training facility boasts decades of coaching experience for all ages in Humble J uergen Achtermann, the owner of Juergen’s Gymnastics Acad- emy in Humble, didn’t start Achtermann said classes are also available for adults.

Juergen’s Gymnastics Academy in Humble oers training tailored to all ages and skill groups for every event featured in the Olympics.

COURTESY JUERGEN’S GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

“A lot of the adults were either for- mer gymnasts or cheerleaders, or just never had the chance to experience the sport,” Achtermann said. “It’s just a dierent workout environment as opposed to the regular tness gym.” Despite being a staple in the Humble community for decades, Achtermann said the gymnastics academy was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Achtermann said the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games added additional stress to the business. “Every four years we’ll get a big boom from the Olympics,” he said. “We never got that boom.” Still, Achtermann said he’s grateful the business was able to survive, not- ing more than 120 gyms throughout the state have closed permanently due to the pandemic. While Achtermann said he is incredibly proud of the athletes he’s been able to coach throughout his career, he said he takes even more joy in watching members of the academy grow. “[Gymnastics] teaches you to deal with frustration; it teaches you how to work for short-term and long-term goals, and makes you more orga- nized,” Achtermann said. “That ... helps you plan for success.”

his athletic career in gymnastics, but he’s made a name for himself in the industry nonetheless. Achtermann grew up in Indiana, where he said he was an elite high school wrestler and baseball player. His career in gymnastics didn’t begin until he moved to Texas at age 16. “For me, gymnastics started really late,” Achtermann said, noting he quickly fell in love with the sport. “With gymnastics, there’s always something newer, always something harder, always something more di- cult. You can never learn everything in this sport.” Achtermann eventually went on to coach high school gymnastics for Humble ISD before opening Juergen’s Gymnastics Academy in 1986. “[The academy is] a full-scale gym- nastics facility, so we oer quality training on all of the Olympic events for both men and women, which is unlike most places,” he said. Achtermann said the gymnastics academy oers classes tailored to gymnasts of all skill levels and age groups. Parent-taught classes are available for children as young as 18 months old, while preschool classes are oered beginning at age 3, and school-age classes are oered beginning at age 5.

Instructors at Juergen’s Gymnastics Academy teach courses for 3- to 5-year-olds.

Owner Juergen Achtermann assists a young gymnast before she practices on the beam.

COURTESY JUERGEN’S GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

WESLEY GARDNERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES Juergen’s Gymnastics Academy in Humble oers lessons and training for every event featured in the Olympic Games. However, the academy also oers several events aimed at letting attendees experience the gym. Check the academy’s website for specic dates.

Open gym ($15): held twice per month from 2:30-4 p.m. on a Saturday for children age 5 and older

Preschool open gym ($15): held once per month from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on a Saturday for kids ages 18 months to 4 years old

Parents night out ($30): held

twice per month from 7-10 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday for children age 5 and older

Juergen’s Gymnastics Academy 5362 FM 1960, Humble 281-570-6478 www.juergensgym.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 3:30-8 p.m., Fri. 4-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-noon, closed Sun.

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