★ 1

Our family's experience with Florida Elite Gymnastics has been deeply troubling. My daughter endured emotional mistreatment and was exposed to an environment built on fear rather than support.

After she spoke up about an incident during training that made her uncomfortable, she was punished instead of supported and was ultimately banned from training with a specific coach for an entire year. This left her fearful of reporting future concerns and severely damaged her trust in the program. As a parent, this approach felt like grooming behavior -- teaching young athletes to remain silent instead of empowering them to speak up.

During our meeting about the incident, I was told that the ban was being imposed because we could have "ruined" the coach's reputation -- all because my 9-year-old daughter said she was injured while he was spotting her. To be clear, we never blamed the gym or the coach for her injury; accidents happen in this sport. However, when she became hysterical and held her arm in pain, the coach yelled at her rather than asking what happened. The owner's daughter even shouted, "She's not hurt -- she's just uncomfortable with men." The X-ray taken later that day told a very different story.

Following this experience, my daughter developed alopecia, and another coach made fun of her for it. That same coach refused to spot her, making comments like, "Only females can spot this one, right?" and laughed with another coach while my daughter stood there visibly uncomfortable.

Florida Elite also runs on a system of favoritism. Many athletes are pushed to do private lessons on top of their full training schedule, often paying over $1,000 per month for extra time with the head coach. Those who paid for multiple private sessions received preferential treatment and faster progression. Even when I offered to pay for a private lesson occasionally to help my daughter with a skill, I was told directly, "I don't have time for your daughter," while watching that same coach work privately with her teammates several times a week.

I acknowledge that some families may have had positive experiences at this gym, but that does not discredit what we -- and many others -- endured.

We withdrew from the program before the new season began, yet the gym continued to charge us $675 for the upcoming year, claiming it covered leotards and other items that we never received. I reached out multiple times by phone and email requesting a proper receipt and a copy of the signed commitment letter associated with this charge. No one responded or provided any documentation.

When I went to the facility in person to request the paperwork, I remained calm and respectful. Staff asked me to leave, and I did. However, after I left, the gym called the police. Witnesses later told me that one coach was crying while her mother, the owner, comforted her, saying, "She's gone -- she won't hurt you anymore." I never even spoke to that coach while I was there. The entire situation was unnecessary and distressing.

I later spoke directly with law enforcement, and the responding deputies confirmed that the scene at the gym was exaggerated and that I had done nothing wrong.

I am one of many who have left this facility with serious concerns. There are reportedly more than 10 SafeSport complaints already filed against Florida Elite Gymnastics. While we have since found a safe and supportive gym for my daughter, the events that took place at Florida Elite were unacceptable and warrant further review.

Beyond the emotional harm to my daughter, the lack of transparency, accountability, and professionalism is alarming. Parents deserve to know about these concerns before entrusting their children to this program. I am still owed the $675, and I strongly believe this facility should be thoroughly reviewed to determine its suitability to work with children.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great coaching and amazing attitude toward gymnasts

Source: Google

★ 5

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Source: Google

★ 1

Staff fails to return emails and voicemails.

Source: Google

★ 5

Really enjoy the staff and coaches here. For the younger kids, Coach Kelly is phenomenal! She’s great at managing the kids, making gymnastics fun and she’s so warm and kind. We’ve been to several places and this is by far my favorite gymnastics place. All around a great environment with the other coaches and older girls too. Looking forward to my daughter growing here.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gymnastics environment and coaching. Highly recommend

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google