Jessica Winspear wasn’t sure what to expect when she first carried her 2-year-old daughter, Sophie, into a Little Gym class in Knoxville. The bright mats, the giggles that bounced off the walls and the relaxed rhythm of the class were all new to her. But before the session ended, she watched Sophie hold up two fingers to show her age and tell the group her name.
“I’d never thought about teaching her to hold up her digits,” Jessica recalls. “The Little Gym taught her things I hadn’t even realized she was ready for.”
That first class set Jessica and her husband, Tom, on a path that would eventually lead to Chattanooga. In early October, they officially opened The Little Gym of Chattanooga, bringing the international children’s development program to the Scenic City.
Confidence building
Jessica and Tom aren’t strangers to athletics. She played basketball at Chattanooga State Community College before transferring to King University in Bristol, where he played soccer.
“We both come from competitive sports backgrounds,” Jessica says. “There’s a lot of pressure on kids in those environments. And these days, kids are already dealing with so much. They’re being dubbed the anxious generation.”
The Winspears began looking for programs that would help Sophie build skills and make friends without the pressure of early competition. That’s when they discovered The Little Gym in Knoxville.
Founded in 1976 in Bellevue, Washington, by Robin Wes, The Little Gym was created to offer a noncompetitive environment where children could grow physically, socially and emotionally. Wes, who grew up in South Africa, wanted to provide a positive alternative to the critical British coaching system he’d experienced as an athlete. His philosophy emphasizes encouragement over judgment – an approach that resonated with Jessica and Tom.
“What stuck out to us is that the program isn’t competitive,” Jessica says. “You’re cheering on their wins, big or small. That builds confidence – and confidence is an integral part of moving up into competitive sports, school and even adulthood.”
A space for everyone
The Little Gym of Chattanooga serves children from 4 months to 12 years old, offering a structured curriculum that grows with each developmental stage.
The youngest members, called Bugs, are between 4 and 10 months old and attend parent-child classes that focus on eye tracking and building core strength to prepare for walking. These sessions also encourage early socialization – for babies and for parents alike.
“Becoming a new mom can feel overwhelming,” Jessica says. “They don’t come with a handbook. Finding your community is huge, and we see ourselves as an extension of that village.”
Parent-child classes continue until about age 3 when children transition to independent sessions designed to prepare them for preschool and kindergarten. For ages 6 to 12, the focus sharpens on gymnastics skills such as beam work, cartwheels and bar routines. Yet even at this stage, the program’s three pillars – physical development, cognitive development and social-emotional growth – remain at its core.
The colorful classroom
Bright mats and equipment in every hue line the room, from a soft wedge-shaped ramp to a giant “donut” that quickly becomes a favorite for children to roll through.
“There’s a reason for everything,” Jessica says, gesturing to the rainbow of surfaces. “Color recognition is a big part of child development.”
The layout changes weekly to match the 52-week curriculum, ensuring each class feels fresh and engaging. Equipment includes P-bars (short parallel bars), uneven bars, high and low beams, rings, a climbing wall, slides and a cushioned air mat for special events.
For younger children, activities often center on imaginative play.
“We might say we’re crossing Crocodile River,” Jessica says. “They have to work on their balance and problem-solving to get across the P-bars. It’s fun, but also purposeful.”
Beyond classes
The Little Gym operates on a membership model, with families enrolling in a weekly class taught by the same instructor each time.
“My daughter has had the same teacher at her Little Gym for a year and a-half,” Jessica says. “We love Miss Katie – and that’s the environment we want to build here.”
Membership comes with plenty of perks. Families enjoy free special events such as open play sessions and holiday celebrations. Community gatherings like Read, Move and Groove – which recently featured a visit from the Chattanooga Fire Department – are also popular. Firefighters brought a truck and read a book about fire safety to a group of captivated little listeners.
The Little Gym also hosts Parent Survival Nights for children ages 4 to 12, giving parents a three-hour break while their kids enjoy games and dinner.
“Parents can go on a date night and the kids get to have a blast,” Jessica says. Members receive a discount, but the program is open to everyone.
And then there are birthday parties, which have proven to be an instant hit, Jessica adds.
Jessica emphasizes that The Little Gym welcomes children of all abilities.
“We accept kids as long as they can be safe and other kids can be safe,” she says.
Parents of children with autism or those in physical or occupational therapy often ask if the program will work for their child.
“So many of their concerns are already built into our program,” Jessica says. “We’re not doctors, but what we do complements what kids are already receiving in those environments.”
The staff is key to creating the gym’s inclusive, welcoming environment. Gym Director Janna Axmacher brings a background in child development and experience at an autism center. She oversees operations, teaches classes and builds relationships with families.
Program Director Kiera Lucas comes from a competitive gymnastics, dance and cheerleading background, and she leads the grade school programming.
Other team members include coaches with expertise in gymnastics and child development, as well as a pediatric ER nurse who previously worked at a Little Gym and loved it enough to return.
Tackling parenting challenges
The Winspears know that not every child is eager to climb a beam or tumble on mats, Jessica says. Some children are content on the couch, controller in hand.
“To parents who say, ‘My kid just wants to play video games,’ I say, ‘Come try us out,’” Jessica says. “We have a fun environment. Our teachers are great. You never know – they might make new friends and learn new skills.”
She also hears from parents who say their children are already active and don’t need more exercise. Her response is simple: The Little Gym isn’t about churning out star athletes.
“Our goal isn’t to produce the best gymnasts,” she says. “Our goal is to build strong fundamentals in the three pillars of development and instill a love of exercise. Whether they go on to play soccer, join a band or do something else entirely, we want to give them a solid foundation for whatever comes next.”
Memberships
Jessica’s leadership philosophy is built around three questions she poses to her staff daily: Did they have fun? Did they learn something new? Were they safe?
“If the answer is yes to all three, then we did our job,” she says.
To encourage families to experience that philosophy firsthand, The Little Gym is offering a free introductory class and 50% off the first month.
Families can choose between month-to-month memberships ($95 per child) and 12-month memberships ($89 per child), with sibling discounts available. There’s no contract requirement for the introductory period, and the first month is half price.
“Four classes at half price is a great way to test out the program,” Jessica adds.
How to join
The Little Gym of Chattanooga is located at 2545 Lifestyle Way. Families can learn more, sign up for classes or schedule a free introductory session by visiting thelittlegym.com/tennessee-chattanooga or calling 423 243-0162.
For the Winspears, the venture extends beyond mats and beams, aiming to help children grow in confidence while creating a sense of community among parents.
As Jessica puts it: “We’re not just building gymnasts. We’re building strong, confident kids who are ready for life’s adventures.”