GymBlog
How Gymlab Helps Children Build Confidence and Life Skills Through Movement
In today’s world, children face growing pressures — from academic expectations to screen time fatigue and social challenges. As a result, more families are turning to movement-based activities not just for fitness, but for emotional well-being and personal development.
At GymLab, we believe movement is one of the most powerful tools to help children grow. Through fun, supportive, and age-appropriate gymnastics classes, we help young people build self-belief, resilience, and essential life skills. Here’s how…
Why it’s Important to Grow Your Child’s Confidence Through Joyful Exercise
In dense urban areas, space to play freely can be limited. Children often miss out on the kind of movement that supports not only physical health, but emotional growth.
Gymnastics — especially when taught in a kind, non-competitive setting — provides children with:
A sense of achievement through small, repeatable wins
Greater body awareness and self-control
A safe environment to make mistakes and try again
Opportunities for teamwork and supportive social interaction
At GymLab, every class is designed to meet children where they are. Our coaches give feedback that celebrates effort over outcome. We avoid comparisons and create a space where confidence can grow naturally.
H2: 5 Ways GymLab Builds Confidence and Life Skills
1. Small Class Sizes with Personal Support
Every child matters. That’s why our sessions keep group sizes low. This allows coaches to give personal attention, understand each child’s comfort zone, and gently stretch their confidence through achievable goals.
2. A Montessori-Inspired Teaching Approach
Rather than rigid rules, we create spaces that children feel safe to explore. Our routines are predictable, our spaces are calm, and our coaches are nurturing. This helps children feel secure enough to take healthy risks.
3. Focus on Soft Skills, Not Just Strength
While flexibility and coordination are important, so are patience, empathy, and communication. Whether it’s taking turns, encouraging a friend, or listening attentively, every session builds social and emotional muscles too.
4. Praise That Builds Self-Belief
Instead of generic “well done,” our coaches use descriptive feedback: “You held that balance for three seconds longer today.” This helps children understand their own progress and feel proud — without needing external rewards.
5. A Pathway That Matches Their Pace
With classes grouped into age bands (3–4, 5–7, and 8–12), we meet children where they are developmentally. We encourage growth without pressure, allowing each child to discover their strengths and build at their own pace.
Common Concerns From Local Parents
Q. My child is shy — will they fit in?
Absolutely. Many of our children start off feeling nervous. Our coaches are trained to spot signs of anxiety and adapt their approach, ensuring each child feels welcomed and included.
Q. What if my child isn’t “sporty”?
We’re not about elite performance. Our sessions are built on movement, not medals. Every child is encouraged to grow from where they are — whether they’re mastering a roll or simply joining in a warm-up.
H2: Why Choose Gymlab?
From Stoke Newington to Stratford to Islington, our classes are more than physical play — they’re nurturing spaces for real personal growth.
Stoke Newington School (N16): A large indoor hall with on-site parking and a calm environment ideal for learning.
Chobham Academy, Stratford (E20): A modern, well-equipped venue also offering holiday camps.
New Unity, Islington (N1): Centrally located, with strong public transport links and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for focused sessions.
Each session is led by qualified, DBS-checked coaches who bring a consistent ethos of kindness, support, and structured progress. Whether your child is 3 or 12, we have a class tailored to help them grow in body and mind.
Explore our popular programmes:
Ready to Help Your Child Grow in Confidence?
If your child is ready to move, grow, and thrive, GymLab is ready to welcome them.
With nurturing coaches, structured sessions, and a focus on long-term development, we’re proud to help children across East London grow into confident, capable young people.
Book a trial class today at our Stoke Newington, Stratford, or Islington locations — and see the difference confidence through movement can make.
New Venue Update
We are happy to announce that we have finally found a new venue for our classes so we can now welcome all children in waiting list.
From January 2021 Gymlab classes will be moving to Chobham Academy.
Classes will be taking place every Saturday from 10 am to 11 am starting from the 9th of January 2021.
The entrance to the Schoo Hall is located in Temple Mills Lane (crossroads between Temple mills Lane and Celebration Avenue).
There is a car park just opposite the entrance.
We had to compromise in terms of area and day/time but we are very glad to have found a much bigger location and a more appropriate space for the activities.
Due to Covid-19, unfortunately, the school doesn’t allowed parents to stay inside but the area has plenty of cafes and small shops around, and, with a nice weather you can enjoy the green space as well.
We look forward to seeing you again!
WE ARE BACK.
To all families,
We know this has been a difficult period and it is continuing to be a challenging time for everyone nowadays.
Six months ago we suspended our face-to-face classes, preventing the spread of the virus and helping the NHS saving many lives.
Keeping children active and having fun it’s always been our first commitment, this is why we worked hard to find a way to connect with our families from home introducing live stream classes.
Doing gymnastics remotely is something that we never experienced before and we want to thank you for making it possible and supporting us during this uncertain time.
We also want to thank you, because with your help we have being able to do something good and help to the community donating 20% of our fees to Homerton Hospital.
As we are all adjusting to a new world, Gymlab is reopening his door from the 7th of September and we are implementing new health and cleaning precautions to make sure everyone can feel safe entering our gym hall.
These include, among many other things, cleaning the hall and the equipment before and after each class, coaches wearing masks at the all time, temperature control at the entrance every day, promoting social distancing inside the space and a temporary reduction of the classes size.
We look forward to welcoming you back.
Stay safe.
Francesca fron Gymlab.
Don't miss our livestream classes!
Stay safe at home with our online gymnastics classes for adults and children.
We are donating 20% of our fees to nhs.uk
Covid-19 Update
Dear Families,
Following the announcement by the Prime Minister regarding COVID-19, Gymlab has suspended all classes until further notice.
We have taken this decision with a heavy heart, but we believe it is absolutely the right thing to do.
The safety and well-being of our people and customers will always be the number one priority for us.
We believe that during all this time at home, the body needs to keep doing some movement and stretching, as well as the mind needs positive thinking and a getaway from this unprecedented time we are going through. This is why we decided to bring Gymlab into your home by offering livestream classes. (For more info, and how to join, click here). We really appreciate the fantastic support we have received from our customers - it means a lot to us. Therefore, in turn, we want to help our community to get back on its feet and fight the Coronavirus. Thus, we decided to support the NHS by donating 20% of our fees to Homerton Hospital. We wish the best of health to you and all of your friends and loved ones. We look forward to welcoming you all back into our club as soon as we are able.
Until then, take care and stay well.
Gymlab Christmas Display
We are delighted to announce the date for our Christmas display.
Family and friends are all welcome!
First Class First Milestone.
We had a great fun today at our first 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗚𝘆𝗺𝗻𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 class.
We already looking forward for the next one!
