One of the most important things to me is spending time with my family. Personally, it doesn’t really matter what we are doing, just as long as we’re together. A regular activity we do with our toddler is to read her books. It’s something my wife, Erin, and I have been doing since the day we brought her home from the hospital. Our toddler is also incredibly energetic and loves being active throughout the day. We got a hint that this would most likely be the case when she was able to roll on her side the first night after being born.
Later on, once she learned how to crawl, it became non-stop adventure time for her. And as parents know, once they then learn how to walk, they rather quickly take up the hobby of climbing as soon as possible. From an early age, we involved our daughter in various activities, such as gymnastics, play gyms, the Zoo, OMSI, and hiking. Our plan all along was to expose her to many positive things, as well as spend quality time with her as a family. One of the activities that our toddler participates in is her classes at My Gym.
My Gym offers classes for babies as young as 6 weeks old and for children up to the age of 10. Each of these classes is designed for specific age groups and focuses on developing skills tailored to their individual abilities. This is a perfect place to not only spend time as a family, but also to make new friends. One thing that is clear to me about My Gym is that it is a place that builds confidence in your child while also encouraging fun.
There is a thoughtful balance between structure and free time. For example, some structured activities for the toddler class include circle time and playing games with simple instructions that are easy for them to follow. There is also a good amount of free time for toddlers to explore the gym and play on whichever equipment they choose. As parents, one of our primary focuses is to encourage risky play that is done safely. My Gym is an excellent environment for fostering this. Right now, you can get a trial week for $15 to see how your kid enjoys it.
I spoke with the owner of the My Gym Sherwood, and the recently opened SW Portland location, Alexis. She told me that opening up these locations wasn’t even on her radar until she started bringing her first baby to classes. At the time, her little one wasn’t walking or pulling herself to stand up by her first birthday. She credits regular classes at My Gym for helping to advance her motor skills and for observing her peers doing the same. Alexis said that she believes taking her young child to these classes gave her the confidence to obtain these skills. My wife and I can also attest to the incredible benefits of these types of classes, as we have seen positive effects in our daughter as well.
Because of how great My Gym was for Alexis’ family, she opened her first location in 2021 in Sherwood. In 2025, she opened a location in SW Portland (near Washington Square Mall off of Scholls Ferry Road). Her newest location not only has an ample gymnastics space but also holds dance and preschool classes.
There are many wonderful types of classes for babies and toddlers that all strive for building skills and confidence while having fun. One of the things that sets My Gym apart from other similar courses is its swing support activity. This feature allows for swing time for babies and provides an opportunity for older kids to practice their trapeze skills. For the big kids, this will enable them to go through a Ninja obstacle course.
Every week, the layout and equipment of the gym change, so your little one will have a new challenge every week. This is a way to keep them properly engaged and work on multiple skills. Our daughter looks forward to this every week, and her growth from taking these classes has been truly amazing to see. I should also mention that it’s a great way for grown-ups to meet other parents, too.
When asked what she enjoys most about My Gym, Alexis told me that it is watching the kids meet new milestones and creating a sense of community. She has witnessed babies take their first steps in this class and has had many children celebrate their birthdays there. She also told me that it is excellent to see shy kids become more social and make new friends. There are many changes that children go through; it is incredible to have a space that builds upon this. Seeing our daughter harness skills such as sharing and teamwork, all while releasing her toddler energy, is more than worth it to us.
I highly recommend trying out at least a trial week at My Gym. If you decide to have your kid take regular classes, they offer packages that include one class a week for 4 weeks, or unlimited classes a week for 4 weeks. Every monthly membership includes multiple Practice and Play days, which are essentially their open gym times. With everything that My Gym has to offer, this can easily become one of your kids’ favorite places.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.