KidStrong Carmel — Local services in Carmel

We paid $50 to do a trial class here (really, a trial week but weren't super interested in going back after one class). We were super excited to try it out (especially our kiddo) but pretty bummed with what it actually was.

First, there were some good elements. The male coach was super great with the kids and gave positive reinforcement well when he was in the class (which was only at the start and end). They had the kids work on public speaking (saying their name and who the strongest person they knew is) which is a great life skill and we thought that was a cool idea. The rest of the class fell flat. There were WAY too many kids for it to be effective or safe. They had 13 (They said 15 was the limit) and only one coach for the majority of the class. Even when the second coach was there, the kids couldn't be helped properly. We witnessed one kid push a smaller kid off of a triangle climber because he didn't want to wait his turn, several kids pushing or jumping on others during one of the "circuits." We were worried about someone getting hurt because it was so chaotic. When they came back to the line and all did the same exercise (it was the crab walk hold), about 10% of the kids were doing it correctly. Unfortunately, the other 90% were not corrected or coached at all that their movements were incorrect. (With that many kids in a class, it would be nearly impossible for the coaches to actually coach. There was also only one coach present at this point.). The coaches appeared stretched way too thin with that many students.

Additionally, they used class time to relay information to the parents about the class (like in the middle), which we felt odd. They also took quite a bit of time to teach shapes? This was maybe the oddest of all. I get spending time on character building or life skills that kids don't learn a lot of other places--but shapes? It felt odd, out of place, and like a time filler.

After the trial class, we weren't too keen on her returning as, best case, we witnessed a lot of incorrect movements and chaos that, at worst case, could lead to injuries.

Good concept. Not a fan of the execution, which makes us sad. This could have been AWESOME if classes were capped at a much...

KidStrong Carmel is a fantastic program for kids, offering a great mix of physical and social development in a fun and supportive environment. The coaches are energetic and clearly passionate about what they do, which really helps create an atmosphere where kids can thrive.

However, I believe that the experience could be even better, especially for first-time members. When a child is new to the program, everything can feel a bit overwhelming, and some extra guidance would be greatly appreciated. It would be beneficial if, during each session, one of the three coaches could focus more on the new child, helping them feel comfortable and confident while performing the tasks. This personalized attention would not only help the child feel more at ease but also boost their confidence in trying out new activities.

Overall, KidStrong Carmel offers a great experience, but adding this personal touch could make a significant difference for newcomers, setting them up for success...

Took my 3-year-old daughter here for a trial class. She was having a pretty intense bout of shyness and stubbornness, and the staff were incredibly accommodating and worked very hard to try and get her engaged.

Once I got her to step on the mats, it still took a little while to get her to participate. But once she did, she was having a blast, and there was quite a bit of variety in the activities. They even had a few mental exercises thrown into the mix.

It's great that they let the parents be in the clas with the younger kiddos. It's creates a bit of chaos, but it works. And kudos to the coaches for managing it all and attempting to interact with all of the children equally.

Haven't signed up yet, but the prices seem very reasonable for what you get (4 classes a month plus a fifth...