Hawaiian Island Twisters

I’ve been taking my daughter to HITS for the last four year for cheer tumbling classes. We had just moved here, it was a great way for her to meet other kids with similar interests. The coaches to be helpful in developing her tumbling skills and are very dedicated. If there is not a class scheduled after her slot, they often go over.
I’d like to recognize Coach Joel in particular. He happened to be in California during USA Cheer Nations and stopped by to see her high school squad compete. The night before finals ¹⁄₃ of my daughter’s team got sick and hospitalized. After our own coaches spent the night taking the girls to the hospital. Coach Joel assisted and helped them completely redo their routine with the reduced squad. The team placed 3^rd and they could not have accomplished this without Coach Joel.

The staff is really good with the children. They are patient and take the time to properly train. They offer multiple classes everyday of the week which works well for people with busy schedules. The faculty is big but unfortunately it’s always hot and smells like feet.

We were on vacation and visiting from California, and Coach Candi and Coach Chris were so welcoming to my 8yo daughter. She learned a lot in an one hour tumbling class. Coach Chris came in on a morning they were closed (July 3) so my daughter can have a private class. She learned a lot, and got a lot of pointers. My daughter is pretty shy, and loved the coaches, and said the girls at Hawaiian Heat were very kind. I would highly recommend them. Look forward to visiting HH again! Mahalo, Hawaiian Heat, for your hospitality!

«You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink…»
Here’s a long overdue update for Hawaiian Island Twisters! A few years ago I brought my two older children to gymnastics lessons here for a little over a year. After many complaints from both of them about «just not liking gymnastics» and it being «too hard,» I acquiesced and pulled them out. They both weren’t progressing and I decided that if they weren’t enjoying it then I was truly wasting our time driving them there three times a week. My dreams of having flexible gymnasts in the family seemed to have burned to the ground. This is why I have my horse to water quote above.
Fast forward a few years and we reluctantly enrolled our youngest daughter into the 3 – 5 year olds pre-​school class. I came with no expectations and thought that this would be a fun way for her to burn off some energy. Boy was I wrong! My little Izzy loves her gymnastics classes and it’s become the highlight of her week. She started in the beginners pre-​school class (which takes place in the pen near the reception desk), and in three short months has progressed to the Tucks class! Little did we know that her love of gymnastics would transfer over to our home as she handstands, cartwheels and hangs upside down every chance she gets. I’m super happy we’ve found a sport that’s the right fit for her and that I don’t feel as though I’m forcing it down her throat like medicine.
«As a parent your job isn’t trying to force your horse to drink the water. It’s finding the right kind of water that your horse actually loves to drink!»
PROS/​CONS:
–Fair pricing and wide range of classes/​class times
–Many class times are fully booked so you’ll have to add yourself to the waitlist
–Large facility with ample parking
–Gym is located right before insane traffic heading West
–Competitive environment for every age level
–Food court location and nail salon right next door
–Only one make-​up a quarter if you miss classes
–The pre-​school class pen is crazy cold and unfortunately they can’t control the temperature
–Smells like old socks but it is a gymnastics warehouse after all
–Staff is friendly and like anywhere else, some staffers are much better than others
–Parents have a bleachers area where they can watch from

My daughter’s have been coming here for years… this is not a cheap extracurricular activity.
The gym is in the Moanalua Ranch Market, which has lots of free parking and eateries to kill time and squash any hunger pains.
There is a much larger area in the back — don’t mind the smell… it’s a gym. I appreciate the closed-​circuit cameras projecting live feed on the wall so I can see what my girls are doing in the very back (trampoline, etc.). They also have «bleacher-​type» seating for the parental units and siblings waiting.
They run on 4-​week periods, and the cost varies depending on how many classes they attend per week and what level they are. I wish they had a better/​more flexible «make-​up» schedule for missed classes (better than kids coming while they are sick). They offer only one make up class every 12-​weeks.
With that said, kids get out of any activity, what they put in… and I’m happy to say that my girls are respectful, they listen to their coaches, and try hard… at the end of practice, they are beat…

We are vacationing in Hawaii this week, and started looking for a sub gym with competitive program prior to our arrival (we come from California). We were pleasantly surprised by Twisters’ high correspondence level, management and structure, and of course warm Hawaiian hospitality. Everyone from the ladies at front desk to Ms. Erin (probably gym director) are amazing. PS their team looks great too!

While spending our summer in Hawaii, I signed up to have my 4 year old daughter attend gymnastics. She loves it and has gained more confidence & determination in all she does.

For very competitive and serious minded gymnasts and gymnast hopefuls.
A great place for those children who are seriously looking towards being on a team and dream for the olympic gold.
The rec classes are fine and the teachers are
sweet, kind and patient for those students that are doing it for fun. However, if you’re looking into extras like summer camps and/​or other fun programs for those not on thier top groups or teams them look elsewhere. This is not a very inclusive gym but neither is gymnastics as a whole.

My girls have been going here since they were three. We love HITS! The gym is clean, the staff is friendly and helpful. I recommend them to everyone looking for a great gymnastics experience!

I have a physically gifted daughter. She is not only strong like bull, but limber like noodle. When I signed her up for gym classes I had high hopes. I could see the medals gleaming on the wall, the trophies stacked up on the shelves, feel the pride only a parent can feel when their kid kicks other kids butts.
Alas. It has become apparent that though strong and bendy and gifted, she often has the focus of a chihuahua on uppers. I worked through my tiger mom mentality, stopped lecturing her after each class, and now it’s fun! Go figure. She loves class, she enjoys her coaches, and despite spending half her time staring at who knows what she continues to improve. She is only five, I’ll give her a year to mature then get her back on the olympic gold medalist at 14 track.
My son also takes classes and he loves it! I’ve heard a few men resist signing their strapping boys up for gymnastics because it’s a «girls sport». I suggest any man who feels this way should spend some time in the gym, take notice of how incredibly strong and manly the male coaches tend to be (not that I take notice of the bulging, rippling muscles or hard, defined jaws) and realize that thinking gymnastics is sissy is stupid. Furthermore, gymnastics makes your son STRONG. It makes every muscle strong. It strengthens muscles I didn’t even know existed. A teenaged boy who can walk on his hands and do backflips? Girls love that. Everyone loves that. Sign your son up for gymnastics, people.
Do it. First class is free.
DO IT.

This place is Great! The staff here are very friendly and patient. My child has been coming here since age 3 and has improved not only in strength and flexibility, but also in confidence.

I cannot believe that I haven’t written a review of this place sooner. I have been taking my son here since he was 3, even had his 4^th birthday party. The staff is awesome with all the young kids. We come here twice a week for regular class. After our birthday party here two of our friends signed up for regular class and their kids love it here too.
There are lots of classes simultaneously going on and the waiting area (by the preschool area) is air conditioned and does not smell at all. Vending machine for $ 1 drinks ensures that you have easy access for hydration.
They have a rule that girls have to cover up when leaving the gym which is an excellent rule.
Food court close by, free parking, what’s not to love about this place?

If your kid isn’t as least two don’t waste your time and $. You want your kid to have exercise, take them to a park = free. This place has value but your kid has to be at least two I’d say to get it.

Any place that can change my daughter’s mind about gymnastics in just one class gets my solid vote of confidence.
After a couple years of insisting that my daughter – the ultimate princess who couldn’t care less about sports – take up a physical activity, I finally got tired of coaxing her into a sport, and took her to a free trial class. I told her she just had to *TRY* it, and basically dragged her unwillingly body (nicely, mind you) to the gym floor.
A few minutes of initial uncertainly transformed my child from completely disinterested to «Hello world, let me unleash my inner gymnast!» She was bounding along with them; practicing her heart out. Afterward, she beamed, «I LOVE gymnastics!!»
I like that the class (for 6 year old beginners anyway) is a constant rotation of activities so they get a good feel for the variety. I also like that they are physically working different body parts continuously, whether it’s trampoline, floor exercises, bars, beam or the foam pit. The only thing my daughter doesn’t like are the bars, so extra bonus that it doesn’t last too long at a time.
We’ve been going 3 days a week and I never have to psych her up about going — she’s always really excited. The fact that she also gets to accessorize in a cute leotard is… well, in all honesty, probably half the reason she loves going.
The teachers are patient and supportive and watchful, and it’s been a very positive experience all the way around.
Minus one star for the dirty sock smell (can’t something be done?) and the fact that they only allow one make-​up class per quarter. We travel a lot, so that means a lot of money down the tubes. Otherwise, LOVE this place.

A little pricey (no military discount) but my son has trained there for just under a year now. The coaches are pleasant and firm, and very safety oriented! I appreciate their attention to proper form, and the level of instruction matches the price as far as I am concerned. It smells like a gym, but when you see how hard the athletes are working, it is understandable ;)
I recommend!

I took my son to the preschool class and was disappointed when I saw the little area they had to work in, but once I saw how much attention he got and what he was learning with great instructors, I quickly changed my mind within the first 10 minutes. Within a few short weeks he was already entering into the advanced class and then on to pre-​team. I love the attention he gets from his newest instructor. I think the facility, parking, prices and seating for the parents is great.
You may be wondering why I would give them 4 stars? The front desk staff is not as friendly as the instructors and seem to have a slight «power trip» working at the front desk. I was told that I had to talk with an elusive person about changing up our schedule, however I was not able to call them or talk to them. I was told they would call me, but I never heard back. I don’t even think this elusive person was even informed. All I know is that I was never approached about it after and I went to the desk twice. Finally I was sent a bill with not much of an explanation on it for the schedule changes. I finally called and talked with a very nice front desk person who explained everything and made it work.
So four stars for not being impressed with a few of the front desk staff.

Been sending my daughter here for a few months now twice a week and I have to say that the facilities are impressive. You would never have thought that this place was so massive by the front entrance located in 99 Ranch Market. They have a pretty flexible schedule for the beginners classes but as your child advances the class schedules get a little more stringent. Since my daughter is young and new I think it could be better that the instructors give the kids a little more one on one time. I tend to find myself going home and doing the stretches and exercises with my daughter because she just don’t get it in class. The teachers do focus on the students that have been there longer in the class which is understandable but a little more patience’s would be nice. And just an FYI this place is a gym, so it really smells like reeking wet sweaty towels.

I have both my daughters attending once a week on Sundays. My oldest is 12 and my youngest is 2. Yes, I know there is a big gap in age.
A valuable lesson learned from my oldest, is that children will complain and want to quit everything that’s new and requires some kind of skill. I’ve tried many times to get her into activities from art to drama to volleyball and hula. I know now that it was stupid of me not to insist that she keep trying things if she showed even the smallest amount of interest.
Well when my oldest said she wanted to try gymnastics I was so excited I set up a trial class right away before she could change her mind.
I did a lot research online since there isn’t much gymnastics centers here in Hawaii. Asked a few people who have had kids go. HITS had a lot of positive feedback. They offer a free trial class which is a cool bonus :)
Decided to enroll my 2 year old too… learning from past mistakes, I don’t want to wait 10 years and then when she’s 12 wonder why she has no direction or passion for something in life.
It’s a little easier with younger kids… the excitement of gymnastics last longer BUT they will have days of not listening, following the rules or going with the rhythm of class. The best thing about having my 2 year old going is tha it teaches her fundamental social skills like being orderly, waiting her turn, listening to instructions, etc.
After the first month my oldest wants to quit but I am adamant of her sticking to this for at least 9 months and so that’s the deal we have. I told get she gets out of it what she puts in. So if she feels embarrassed because younger girls are more «flexible» or «better than me» I ask her if she has been practicing during the week??? The answer is «no!»
Soooo my advice is if you decide to bring your child to gymnastics, you need to encourage them to practice outside of class. They won’t get better by just doing stuff in class.
Otherwise, I must say that the staff here has been nothing but professional and friendly. All the coaches have experience and many have competed on national levels. I dig the fact that a lot of them have worked with kids before. The facilities… it’s a gym. There are no cushioned seats, no latte machines or spot lights. It really is a gym and if you expect anything more you will be disappointed.

My son and I are in the Parent-​toddler class and he seems to love it. He is not so big on the circle time stretches but everything else he likes. The trampoline is probably the biggest hit with all the kids. His coach is great with the toddlers and is very patient. I’m glad we were able to find a gymnastics program nearby and at a good price.