If you love gymnastics and want to share that passion with others, becoming a gymnastics coach is an ideal career fit for you.
To increase your chances of landing a great gymnastics coach role, you’ll need to have a foundation of gymnastics experience, meet basic education requirements, and get certified as a coach to start.
Become a Gymnastics Coach in 7 Steps
Every coaching position has different employment requirements, but these steps are how you can make yourself more hirable — and stick the dream-job landing.
Have Experience in Gymnastics
To coach gymnastics, you need to know gymnastics. Depending on the gym (or other location), you’ll likely need 2–5 years of experience at minimum as a gymnast.
This ensures you have the firsthand knowledge required to teach technique, choreograph routines, and give proper guidance to your trainees.
Competition experience can also enhance your credibility as a gymnast.
If you’re just starting out, remember there are some alternative pathways that can translate well for gymnastics, like dance and acrobatics.
For some recreational coaching jobs, having some experience may be all you need to qualify. For example, The Little Gym’s job listing for gymnastics coaches states that a background in gymnastics helps (but isn’t required!).
Start Here: Find an adult gymnastics class near you to brush up on your skills.
Meet Education Requirements
If you want to become a gymnastics coach at a high school, you will likely need a bachelor’s degree and either a state teaching license or a coaching certification approved by the state’s athletics association.
Every state has different requirements, but earning a gymnastics-related bachelor’s degree will enhance your chances of getting hired.
Some relevant fields of study include:
- Kinesiology
- Sports management
- Physical education
- Early childhood education
Start Here: Check out the best colleges for kinesiology or coaching courses from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
Earn a Gymnastics Coach Certification
Maybe the most impactful step you can take while pursuing a gymnastics coaching career is to get certified. A gymnastics coaching certification demonstrates your commitment to providing a safe, positive experience for your students.
USA Gymnastics (USAG) is the national governing body for gymnastics in the U.S. and offers multiple certifications to benefit you as a gymnastics professional.
Here’s an example route:
USAG School of Recreational Gymnastics
A course for gymnastics coaches working with preschool to school-aged children that consists of four progressive certificates:
- Instructor
- Developmental Teacher
- Advanced Teacher
- Director
There is no experience needed to begin the instructor certification, and the course requirement, U100: Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction, takes about 4–5 hours to complete online.
The next certification, developmental teacher, builds upon your knowledge with U101: Safety & Risk Management, your choice of a first aid course, plus two more courses on fundamentals.
And so on!
Another option is the School of Competitive Gymnastics, which follows the same structure.
A certification — or a few at that! — will help you rise above the bar when it comes to getting a full-time job at a gymnastics facility or as a specialty or competitive coach.
Start Here: Browse USAG’s complete course catalog to learn how to become a certified gymnastics coach.
Get CPR- & First Aid-Certified
Complete cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certifications to make sure you’re prepared in case of emergencies. Some employers will include this as part of your onboarding, but either way, having CPR and first aid training under your belt enhances your professionalism.
Be sure to keep these certifications up to date!
Start Here: The National CPR Foundation offers an online CPR and first aid certification course for $14.95.
Gain Coaching Experience
While you work toward your degree or certification, you’ll want to gain as much coaching experience as you can. This will help you gain confidence as a coach and refine your skills through hands-on practice — not to mention, it’ll look great on your resume!
- Find a mentor: Ask a trusted professional if you can shadow them during coaching sessions. This person can give you candid feedback and career advice, which is invaluable when you’re starting out.
- Volunteer or assistant coach: Check with local schools, gyms, or recreational centers to see if they’ll take you on as you work to gain experience.
- Work as a camp counselor: A gymnastics camp is a great place to develop your coaching and supervision skills.
- Assist in competitions: You can volunteer as a spotter or judge’s assistant to get more exposure to the competitive environment.
Find a Coaching Position
When it comes time to find your dream coaching job, start by exploring open roles at local gyms, schools, and training facilities.
Don’t forget to be flexible — the coaching world can be competitive. You may have to start with a part-time or assistant role before you can leap higher.
Here are some places to search:
- Specialized sites like USAG Classified Ads and NCAA Job Market
- General job platforms, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor
- Local gym websites
- School district job boards
- Within your gymnastics network (former coaches, teammates, etc.)
Start Here: Make a free profile on Gymnastics Coach Finder to get contacted about coaching opportunities in your area.
Strengthen Your Coaching Skills
Once you become a gymnastics coach, you need to continuously level up to keep your career limber. Stay updated on the ins and outs of your industry by attending workshops, conferences, and ongoing training.
You should also regularly ask for feedback from your athletes and peers so you can work to improve your coaching.
Your USAG safety certification will need to be renewed by retaking the course every four years.
Start Here: Subscribe to Gymnastics Now for industry news.
Essential Info About Gymnastics Coach Careers
A gymnastics coaching career balances the beam of technique and interpersonal skill. Here’s a little more about what you can expect!
Gymnastics Coach Job Description
Your day-to-day as a gymnastics coach will vary greatly depending on where (and how!) you work, but some of the common duties you’ll perform include:
- Training athletes in various levels of gymnastics
- Teaching technique and proper form
- Evaluating progress and setting athlete goals
- Preparing athletes for competition
- Choreographing routines
- Maintaining a safe training environment
Average Gymnastics Coach Salary
According to ZipRecruiter, the average wage for gymnastics coaches in the U.S. is $19/hour. However, Glassdoor reports a median total pay of $63,000/year (approximately $30.29/hour) for gymnastics coaches.
Your actual pay depends on your location, years of experience, certifications, plus other factors.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of coaches to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033. (That’s faster than the average for other occupations!)
Necessary Gymnastics Coach Skills
- A love of the sport!
- Strong communication skills
- Patience and adaptability to train different skill levels
- A motivational attitude that inspires trust in athletes
- Commitment to safety, technique, and injury prevention
- Drive to market and grow your coaching business
Kickstart Your Gymnastics Coaching Career
The number-one thing you can do today to keep your coaching career in perfect form is get liability insurance to protect yourself financially in case of client injuries, property damage, unmet expectations, and more!
You’ve put in the hard work to vault yourself into coaching success, but one accident can cost you big. Gymnastics coach insurance costs as low as $15/month and empowers you to focus on your athletes — not on risks waiting to happen.
Show employers and clients how dedicated you are to providing excellent coaching by getting insured now. Liability coverage is like an essential safety mat to keep your business strong and steady.
Can You Be a Gymnastics Coach Without Doing Gymnastics?
Technically, yes, but you might not land the type of job with the pay you want.
Some recreational centers that offer gymnastics lessons for young children might hire you without gymnastics experience, but if you want to work at a more competitive training facility, school, or as a freelancer, you will likely need actual experience as a gymnast.
What Age Groups Can I Coach as a Gymnastics Instructor?
You can coach a wide range of age groups, from toddlers (in parent-assisted classes) to teens and adults in recreational or competitive programs. It all depends on your qualifications, experience, and where you work!
How Can I Start My Own Gymnastics Coaching Business?
To start your own gymnastics coaching business, you can begin offering private lessons, running clinics, and coaching as an independent contractor at a gym. This allows you the freedom to work at multiple locations, set your own schedule and rates, and scale up when you’re ready!
