The KCGA Academy
Children’s Gymnastics Development & Trusted Parent Guides for London Families
The KCGA Academy is a trusted knowledge hub for parents who want to make informed decisions about their child’s physical development through gymnastics.
Created by Dr Stefan Kolimechkov and the coaching team at Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics Academy, the Academy brings together expert-led guidance on children’s gymnastics development, safety, confidence, flexibility, strength, and long-term health – grounded in scientific research and real-world coaching experience in London.
Whether you are exploring gymnastics for the first time or looking to better understand how movement, coordination, and confidence develop during the primary school years, the KCGA Academy is designed to support thoughtful London families who value quality, care, and evidence-based practice.
What you’ll find in the KCGA Academy
✅ Parent Guides & Practical Advice
Clear, considered guidance to help parents support healthy physical development at home and in class.
✅ Research-Backed Insights
Accessible explanations of scientific research on children’s movement, coordination, flexibility, strength, and long-term wellbeing.
✅ Expert Talks & Videos
Selected educational resources from experienced coaches and researchers, made relevant for London families.
All KCGA Academy resources are written or reviewed by experienced coaches and researchers, reflecting KCGA’s commitment to safe, ethical, and child-centred gymnastics.
Here, you’ll find much more than blog posts. The KCGA Academy brings together carefully curated resources designed to help parents understand, support, and guide their child’s development through gymnastics.
Within the Academy, you’ll find:
• Expert tips to help your child progress safely and confidently, both at home and in class.
• Research-backed articles based on peer-reviewed studies by Dr Stefan Kolimechkov and invited experts, translated into practical guidance for parents.
• Presentations from international conferences (including ACSM, ECSS, and others), adapted into clear, parent-friendly insights.
• Broader health and lifestyle guidance, connecting gymnastics with nutrition, physical activity, and lifelong wellbeing.
The aim of the KCGA Academy is to be a trusted reference point for parents in London — a place to learn, explore, and find reliable answers about children’s gymnastics development, all in one place.
Gymnastics Tips for Parents
Practical advice you can use at home or in class. From posture and body alignment to fun progressions, these tips help your child develop confidence, coordination, and good movement habits.
Science-Based Articles
Gymnastics knowledge you can trust. Based on peer-reviewed research by Dr Stefan Kolimechkov and colleagues, these articles translate scientific findings into clear, parent-friendly guidance.
Presentations & Conferences
Global expertise, shared locally. Explore selected talks and presentations delivered at international conferences such as ACSM and ECSS, adapted for parents and young gymnasts.
Gymnastics & Beyond
Gymnastics is only the beginning. Discover how sport connects with health, nutrition, physical education, and lifelong wellbeing for children and families.
Start Exploring the Academy
Below you’ll find our latest articles, tips, and educational resources. Each piece is written to offer practical advice, scientific insight, or thoughtful guidance to support your child’s gymnastics journey in London.
Whether you’re looking for simple ways to support your child at home or you’d like to explore the science behind movement and development, the Academy is here to help — free to access, regularly updated, and written with care.
👉 Choose a post that interests you, or browse by category above.
Our Latest Resources
Browse our newest science-based gymnastics articles, tips, and presentations, trusted by London parents who want the very best for their children.
How Elite Gymnasts Learn the Handspring Front Tuck Vault
Handspring - Front Tuck: An Educational Progression ModelWho This Resource Is For This article presents an educational progression model used in elite artistic gymnastics training to demonstrate how complex vault skills are broken down safely and systematically under...
Is Gymnastics Safe for Children? A Science-Based Guide for London Parents
Is Gymnastics Safe for Children?🔹 KEY POINTS In this guide, you’ll learn: Why it’s completely normal for parents to worry about gymnastics safety What research actually says about injury risk in children’s gymnastics The difference between recreational and elite...
Competing at the 2024 Masters Gymnastics World Cup: A Sports Scientist’s Perspective on Lifelong Gymnastics and Healthy Ageing
Competing at the 2024 Masters Gymnastics World CupA Sports Scientist’s Perspective on Lifelong Gymnastics and Healthy Ageing In 2024, I competed at the Masters Gymnastics World Cup, an international event bringing together experienced gymnasts, coaches, and lifelong...
The Vitamin D Problem Affecting London Children: Why a 10-Year-Old Scientific Error Still Shapes Today’s Guidelines
The Vitamin D Problem Affecting London Children | What Parents Need to Know⭐ INTRODUCTION As a coach, researcher, and founder of Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics, I spend my life helping children grow stronger, healthier, and more confident. But there’s a topic...
Why Gymnastics Is One of the Best Activities for Children Living in Chelsea (SW3)
Growing Up in Chelsea: Why Your Child Needs More Movement Than EverChelsea is a wonderful place to raise children: vibrant, artistic, inspiring, full of culture and opportunity. But it is also one of the most urban areas in London, meaning children often have limited...
Why Gymnastics Builds Healthier, Happier Children in Kensington
Why Gymnastics Builds Healthier, Happier Children in Kensington As a gymnastics coach and sports scientist, I’ve seen first-hand how this sport transforms children — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally too. At Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics, we...