Stepping into The Little Gym of Roanoke is an instant cure for the gloomiest day. The walls themselves dance with a mosaic of spirited colors, while a playlist of sunny music slips through the building. It’s a little haven in the bustling city. A place where children can move and dance with abandon.
“When I walk in the door of this gym, there’s an energy that builds up my energy too,” says co-owner Krystal Gunn. “This place can completely turn someone’s day around.”
In print, The Little Gym started as a fundamental gymnastics program for children from four months stretching up to age twelve. Touted as a fitness program for youth, the center also focuses on motor development and physical activity. But the true commodity of The Little Gym is the confidence it can instill in children.
“It’s not uncommon for a child to step into our gym very shy, very quiet, very unsure,” says Krystal. “We watch these kids grow, develop, and eventually come out of their shells. You can see them building confidence here.”
Krystal’s business partners, Buket and Shane Campbell, dreamed up the Roanoke location after their own experience with their children attending the franchise. They fell in love with the program’s emphasis on personal development, movement, and serious fun. Impressed by how the venue not only helped children grow physically but also in an emotional capacity, the couple opened The Little Gym of Roanoke in July 2023. It began with the goal of creating a welcoming space where children could learn in a noncompetitive space centered on encouragement and joy.
“Anytime you’re in a competitive environment, the way that you work with kids is a little bit different because you’re striving for excellence or performance,” explains Krystal. “In The Little Gym, we meet the kids where they are and where their confidence is.”
Unlike traditional competitive gymnastics programs that focus heavily on rankings and often stringent performance outcomes, The Little Gym is designed to help children develop healthy movement skills in an encouraging environment. The noncompetitive approach allows kids to learn at their own pace while building strength and social skills through active play. Families feel supported without the pressure.
“We do lots of high fives and encouragement, and we never force a child to do something that’s uncomfortable for them or outside their comfort zone,” Krystal continues. “Nine times out of ten, if they try the skill, they love it and want to do it over and over again. We keep it very light, very friendly, very positive, and healthy. It’s just a great environment.”
In today’s screen-heavy culture, spaces like The Little Gym of Roanoke are becoming increasingly vital for children’s physical and social development. With many children spending significant portions of their day using technology, The Little Gym encourages face-to-face interaction and active learning through movement. Gunn says physical activity engages different parts of the brain while also supporting coordination and overall wellness. By creating a place where exercise feels exciting and fun instead of laden with pressure, The Little Gym helps instill healthy habits that can last well beyond childhood.
“It’s not quite like it was when I was a child and we spent most of our days outside,” says Gunn. “I think active play is super important because movement helps children learn differently, develop different parts of the brain, and stay healthier overall.”
Families interested in learning more about The Little Gym of Roanoke can visit TheLittleGym.com/Texas-Roanoke to explore class offerings, camps, birthday parties and special events for children ages 4 months to 12 years old. Parents can also call 817.406.2361 to schedule a trial class and experience the gym’s philosophy firsthand. The Little Gym of Roanoke regularly shares updates, upcoming programs and community events on Facebook and Instagram at @TheLittleGymRoanoke, giving families an inside look at the positive, movement-focused gym that has quickly become a favorite among local parents and children alike.
In The Little Gym, we meet the kids where they are and where their confidence is.