Parkettes

- 401 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Allentown, PA 18102

For decades, Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center has been a significant landmark and a powerhouse of athletic development in the Lehigh Valley. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Parkettes is not just a gym; it is a full-service institution classified as a Gymnastics Center, a Sports School, and a Day Care Center. The organization was founded in the 1960s with the vision of providing quality gymnastics programs and a positive athletic environment for local children. It grew from humble beginnings—including practicing in a barn and a church basement—into a state-of-the-art 32,000 sq. ft. facility that stands today.

Parkettes is globally recognized for its competitive program, having produced numerous national, international, and Olympic-level gymnasts, including multiple Olympians and World Championship team members. This elite history brings a level of professional instruction and dedication that is rarely matched in the region. However, the mission extends far beyond the competitive sphere: the Center is equally committed to providing physical and psychological benefits to all children, regardless of ability, with a large, diverse range of recreational and instructional programs. Its inclusive philosophy ensures that everyone, from toddlers in Kinder Gym to adults in specialized fitness classes, can benefit from the facility and its experienced staff, who collectively boast hundreds of years of coaching expertise.

While the organization’s reputation for excellence is undeniable, it is important for Pennsylvania families to note the existence of mixed reviews and media coverage regarding the intense competitive culture and some historical reports of alleged misconduct. The best course of action is to follow the advice of satisfied local parents: research available public information, visit the facility, and form your own opinion based on current experiences, ensuring the environment is the right fit for your child. The high number of long-term participants suggests that for many families, the benefits and quality of instruction are significant and positive.

Location and Accessibility

Parkettes is prominently located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serving as an accessible hub for families throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Address: 401 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Allentown, PA 18102, USA

The facility's commitment to serving the entire community is clearly reflected in its dedicated accessibility features, which remove barriers for participants and spectators alike:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance: Provides easy access into the facility.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot: Ensures convenient, reserved parking near the entrance.
• Wheelchair accessible restroom: Guarantees that essential amenities are available to all guests.

Located on Martin Luther King Jr Dr, the Center is well-positioned for local travel, accessible from major routes, and situated in a centralized urban area of Allentown, making it a feasible destination for daily and weekly classes for residents across Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Services Offered

Parkettes offers an incredibly extensive and varied list of programs, catering to virtually every age group and ability level, encompassing instructional classes, fitness, and childcare services.

• Infant and Toddler Programs: You & Me Kid (ages 1-3) and Kinder Gym / Pre-School Classes (ages 3-6) focusing on motor skill development, creative play, and self-confidence.
• Recreational Gymnastics Instruction: 1 Hour Class and Instructional Classes for both Girl Classes and Boy Classes, following USA Gymnastics guidelines for skill progression, strength, and flexibility training.
• Specialty and Fitness Programs: Including Adult Classes, Fitness Class, Children's Fitness, Flexibility Training, Resistance Training, and Special Needs Classes, ensuring programs for diverse participants.
• Non-Gymnastics Movement Classes: Programs like Cheer Jumps, Tumbling Clinics, Tumbling Training, and the popular Ninja Course / Xtreme Ninja class for focused athletic skill development and cross-training.
• Competitive and Pre-Professional Training: Class Program, Gymnastics Programs, Gymnastics Training, and Boys Gymnastics / Boys Program, offering paths to non-competitive gymnastics or high-level team training.
• Day Care and Camp Services: Full Day Camp, Summer Camp Programs (including Summer Gymnastics Camp and Summer Sports Camp), After School Programs, and Child's Daycare, providing childcare with a focus on physical activity.
• Special Events and Convenience: Birthday Party Venue / Child's Party options, Open Gym Schedule, Make Up Classes, Parents Night Out, Family Fun Nights, and Private Lessons for personalized instruction.

Features / Highlights

The defining features of Parkettes stem from its Olympic-level background and its massive, versatile facility, making it a unique destination in Pennsylvania.

• Olympic-Level Heritage: The Center has an unparalleled history of developing elite gymnasts, including five Olympic team members, establishing a legacy of top-tier training in the United States.
• Expansive, Modern Facility: The 32,000 sq. ft. facility is equipped with state-of-the-art Olympic-sized apparatus and continually updated equipment, providing the best possible environment for all levels of training.
• Inclusivity and Community Focus: The mission explicitly embraces children "regardless of age, financial, mental, or physical ability," running Special Needs Classes and providing an environment that is noted as "Good for kids."
• Diverse Program Offerings: The variety of classes, from basic Kinder Gym to competitive dance, Ninja Course training, and multiple summer camp options, ensures there is a program to suit every child's interest and energy level.
• Convenient Payment Options: The facility accepts Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making transactions seamless for busy parents.
• Year-Round Schedule: With options for Summer Camp Programs, After School Programs, and a full Instructional Programs schedule, parents in Pennsylvania have flexible, year-round options for their children's fitness and care.

Contact Information

To inquire about membership requirements, class schedules, or to register for any of the programs offered by Parkettes, please use the following contact details:

Address: 401 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Allentown, PA 18102, USA

Phone: (610) 433-0011

Mobile Phone: +1 610-433-0011

What is worth choosing

For Pennsylvania parents in the Allentown and Lehigh Valley area, Parkettes is worth choosing because it offers an extraordinary combination of resources: world-class instruction and a massive variety of programs, all centralized in one fully accessible location. You are choosing a facility with a proven track record not just for producing elite athletes, but for instilling crucial life skills like dedication, discipline, and goal-setting in children of all abilities.

The breadth of offerings—from the recreational Gymnastics Activities and fun Family Fun Nights to the essential Child's Daycare and After School Programs—means the Center can serve multiple needs for one family. Furthermore, the commitment to accessibility (Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and restroom) makes it a truly community-focused institution. While the center operates on a Membership required basis, the sheer quality and volume of programs, including specialized areas like the Ninja Course and Special Needs Classes, represent an excellent value proposition for investing in a child's physical and emotional well-being. By choosing Parkettes, you are choosing a historic institution that is dedicated to physical fitness and positive youth development in the heart of Pennsylvania.

Parkettes

401 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Allentown, PA 18102, USA