As parents of a high-level male gymnast approaching the college years, we know firsthand how tough…read morethe landscape can be for boys rising in this sport. As gyms and colleges shut down their men's programs left and right, finding a training program with dedicated men's equipment, space, and a true commitment to whole-athlete development often means making significant sacrifices.
So when Pacific Reign owners Cale and Owen announced their highly anticipated men's program, we immediately felt compelled to explore it with our Level 10 son. We had known of their vision to build a top notch men's program for several years, and they had already established a solid reputation through their distinguished women's program for well-structured, high-quality training in an environment that is positive, inclusive, motivating, and focused on athletic development, mental well-being, and personal growth. That strong reputation gave us the confidence to have our son join the men's program from its very beginning, even training in their Woodinville location before the new Lynnwood facility was ready.
Now that the Lynnwood facility is open, it has taken that vision to another level. It is genuinely one of the most thoughtfully designed and well-equipped men's gymnastics spaces we've seen anywhere in the country, including the seven D1 collegiate facilities our gymnast has had the opportunity to train in.
The setup is a men's gymnast's dream: multiple training stations for every event, extensive pommel horse, parallel bars, rings, and high bar setups, a trench bar, two full competition floors, both resi and loose-foam landings, and multiple vault runs. One especially smart touch for high-level gymnasts is the installation of equipment from different manufacturers so athletes can get the real feel for the actual brand of equipment they will encounter at scheduled competitions. And climate control!!! What a luxury. Everything is so clean and brand new that walking in gives you that same giddy little rush you get from "new car smell."
It is hard to overstate what that level of investment means in a sport where boys so often train with limited space, aging equipment, and fewer dedicated resources. This facility and the vision behind it matter tremendously for our son at his stage of development and for the future of men's gymnastics in our region.
In just 12 weeks, men's gymnastics in our area got an entirely new team, a highly accomplished new head coach, and a brand-spanking-new dream facility. That is a lot of major change landing all at once. Now that everyone is finally together in their permanent home, the team can start building its own rhythm and identity.
Through all that change, we have also been especially thankful for the owners and support staff, who are warm, communicative, and well-organized. That is such a gift for busy gymnastics families navigating and investing in a complicated sport.
We're grateful our son gets to be among the first athletes in Pacific Reign's new men's program and to train in this stunning, cutting-edge facility. We're equally excited about what it can do for the younger boys coming up behind him, and how it might inspire other gyms to build up and invest in their men's programs too.
Any family with a son aspiring to serious competitive gymnastics should absolutely explore Pacific Reign to see if it is the right fit for them.