Bounding into Growth, San Diego Gymnastics Launches Franchise Program

Since opening its first location in Point Loma 16 years ago, San Diego Gymnastics has grown into the area’s largest operator with six spots and thousands of kids from all parts of the county taking part in any number of gymnastics and parkour classes, alternative/active preschool, after school activities, Kids’ Night Out, camps and more.

Riding a wave of enthusiasm for gymnastics and parkour as engaging physical activities for kids of all ages and experience, the company is now expanding with the launch of a franchise program for its successful concept – calling it GForce Gymnastics, Parkour & More.

Company co-founder Christina Grady felt the time was right to launch into franchising and bring their proven program to other families. "From the beginning and our very first location, our goal was to create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for kids and families of all types to benefit from the physical and mental aspects of gymnastics," Grady said. “As we have grown, each location consistently follows these guidelines, leading to a real sense of teamwork and camaraderie between our students, parents, staff and community. Any time we announced a new location we were inundated with comments of ‘we are so glad you are finally coming to our neighborhood!’ – So we knew it was time to bring that energy to untapped communities,” she added.

The company is looking to expand broadly and initial target markets for new franchises include the Inland Empire, Orange County and the greater Coachella Valley with discussions already underway with potential franchisees.

The company has been positioning for growth over the past two years. Besides opening new spots in Mission Valley and Rancho Bernardo, San Diego Gymnastics also named Gavin Grady as the company's Director of Operations. Paige Conroy continues to lead as the company’s CEO and Erin Adams moves on as Franchise Start Up Trainer and the first GForce franchisee. In support of the expansion efforts, the company also recently added Jennifer Eberts as Director of Franchise Development and Emma Wood as Franchise Development Manager; Gabriella Grady rounds out the team as Director of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Development . The entire team will work collaboratively with all new location owners to guide them through the entire process.

The new GForce locations will follow the company’s existing model of gyms in the 6,000-10,000 square foot range usually located in high-traffic retail/commercial spaces that include state-of-the-art gymnastics and parkour equipment. Under the franchise agreement, all new owners will receive full support from the GForce team, including pre-operations, training, safety, equipment lists and preferred vendor contacts, marketing, scheduling, customer support and more. “Our franchise partners will benefit from our decade and a half of experience, providing them a game plan and blueprint to successfully launch a turn key operation from day one,” said Grady.

The impetus for the creation of San Diego Gymnastics came from need: Owners Christina and Doug Grady were trying to find time to shuttle their three children to various activities, including driving their daughter 30+ minutes each way to gymnastics three times a week while each working full time jobs — there simply wasn’t a location anywhere near them that worked.

The Gradys' combination of entrepreneurial experience and fitness backgrounds, coupled with the understanding of the demand for gymnastics in Point Loma, made for the key ingredients that sparked the beginning of San Diego Gymnastics. The company expanded to Chula Vista with a location at Otay Ranch Town Center in 2013, then to La Mesa at Grossmont Center in 2017 and La Costa in early 2021, along with the relocation of the original Point Loma gym to the Midway District in mid 2021.