If you’re a Minnesotan, you know that the winter months can be challenging, especially when you've got little ones with energy to burn. Bert Tong, an engineer turned entrepreneur, knows this struggle well. After moving back to Minnesota and becoming a stay-at-home dad, he quickly realized that options for indoor activities were limited.
"In the middle of a Minnesota winter, your toddler can do gymnastics or swim lessons—it’s pretty limited, especially if you want non-competitive activities," Bert explained during our conversation. His search for the perfect activity for his son led him to an innovative idea—opening The Little Gym of Eagan.
A Unique Back Story
But Bert’s background isn’t quite what you would expect. After working in satellite communications, getting his MBA and consulting for Fortune 500 companies, he ventured into entrepreneurial projects, including a self-storage as a service concept in Seattle. However, his journey took a bit of a turn when he and his wife, Chrissy, decided to focus on family and community, leading them back to Chrissy’s hometown of Eagan, where they opened The Little Gym in September 2023.
The Little Gym of Eagan is different from other gymnastics programs in the area because it's all about non-competitive, recreational gymnastics. "Our focus isn't on winning or perfect scores," Bert says. "We're all about helping kids develop character, improve coordination, and build confidence through overcoming challenges." The Little Gym offers a fun, engaging environment where sticking the landing is less important than the lessons learned along the way.
Safety is a priority at the gym, which hosts one class at a time with a maximum of 18 kids to ensure a controlled, attentive setting. Classes last between 45 minutes to an hour, with a low child-to-teacher ratio that provides personalized attention. "We currently have 270 kids enrolled, and we're especially popular among families with kids under three," Bert notes. For these younger children, the classes involve a parent or guardian, but once kids turn three, they participate independently while parents can watch from a separate area.
Membership Flexibility
Flexibility is key at The Little Gym, and not necessarily in the way you might think. Bert explains, "We offer monthly memberships for one or two classes per week, and enrollment is continuous, so families can join at any time without missing a beat." This means no waiting for the next session to open up, hoping your child will get a spot. The curriculum changes weekly, keeping things fresh and exciting for the kids, and if a family misses a class, they can reschedule within 90 days.
The Little Gym also doubles as a community center of sorts, hosting birthday parties and special events like Parent Survival Nights, where parents can drop off their kids for a few hours for some much-needed downtime. For the youngest guests, there’s the Read, Move, and Groove event—part storytime, part playtime, tailored for kids under three.
"We try to make every activity fun; kids often don’t even realize they're learning gymnastics," Bert says with a laugh. "It’s all about having a good time while learning something new."
Does Your Child Have Some Extra Energy to Burn?
Gymnastics is a great sport for kids to develop physical strength, mental toughness, and self-discipline. And when the environment is non-competitive in nature, with a focus on fun, kids often learn the skills without realizing they are doing so. This makes The Little Gym a great option for parents who want their kids to have fun in a learning environment that focuses on physical development.
Classes are non-competitive and are broken out into three categories:
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Parent/Child: Connect with your little one as you both explore and engage in activities designed to develop strength and motor skills. It's a wonderful way to learn, play, and grow together.
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Pre-K Gymnastics: Designed for fun and engagement, these classes help preschoolers improve their coordination and confidence through playful gymnastics activities. In these classes, kids work solo, and parents can observe in the lobby.
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Grade School Gymnastics: Focused on refining skills and building healthy self-esteem, these classes offer school-aged children a chance to excel in gymnastics in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Interested families can try The Little Gym of Eagan with a free trial class to see if it's the right fit. For more details or to schedule a visit, call 651-515-0234. I’m confident you’ll agree that The Little Gym offers a great way for kids to stay active and parents to ensure they're involved in a healthy, engaging activity, no matter the season.