Business & Tech

At FlipStar Gymnastics, 'Focus on the Fun'

The New Lenox gym is a place for all ages, and with new partnerships it continues to expand what it offers to the community.

With new ownership in place, the in New Lenox is expanding its programs and offerings.

The gym, located on Ferro Drive in New Lenox, is a state-of-the-art facility that caters to all ages and levels of experience. Besides the countless classes offered, there's yoga and zumba for adults, field trips, birthday parties and more.

"Our focus is on the fun," marketing director Rachel Weidenaar said. 

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Sandy Roeder became the gym's owner in January, and since then has worked with Weidenaar to "completely revamp the recreation programs," Roeder said.

She was a star gymnast at Oswego High School and previously the general manager at . Since she's come in, FlipStar has partnered with the Dreamz Elite competitive cheerleading program and Harmonic Way Fitness. 

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"There’s a lot of synergy here and all of the programs compliment each other," Roeder said. "It’s all everybody could want in one place."

Looking for FlipStar classes and programs? See what they've added to Patch's calendar

The gym includes rooms for birthday parties and a fitness room for parents if they want to wait for their children's practices to finish. 

Drew Tsokatos Jr., of New Lenox, doesn't have the gymnastics background of some other employees (he played hockey and soccer in high school) but he sure exemplifies the fun nature of the gym and the fearlessness required in the sport—he was hired to coach at another gym after doing a backflip in the Jewel-Osco parking lot, he said.

Happy to return to his hometown, Tsokatos leads a team that competes at the national level. He said gymnastics is a difficult sport but comes with countless benefits. 

"It’s like a family and there’s a great bond," he said. "It’s the hardest sport in the world. Physically it’s the hardest, just to manipulate your body that way, but it’s also mentally tough and there’s a big fear component."

Tsokatos said he loves New Lenox and thinks the gym fits well in the community. He also likes being able to participate in local events such as KidsFest. 

"I’ve been here my whole life and I like being involved with the community," he said. 

For more information about FlipStar's programs, pricing and more, go to the gym's website


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