Crenshaw was founded in 1949 by Bill and Bee Crenshaw as one of the first private gymnastic studios in the United States. The first tumbling classes were held in the old University Methodist Church. In 1951, they built and moved their gym to 42nd and Burnet Road. In 1976, Art and Gil Elsass purchased the business to continue the tradition of excellence in teaching.
Originally started as a part time business, Crenshaw Athletic Club is now a full-time endeavor. In May of 1984, the club made its present move to 5000 Fairview and became one of the most prestigious gymnastics facility in the country. The programs under Gil and Candace Elsass now include Gymnastics, Swimming, Preschool Education, After School Care, Birthday Parties and an Adult Fitness Center.
Originally started as a part time business, Crenshaw Athletic Club is now a full-time endeavor. In May of 1984, the club made its present move to 5000 Fairview and became one of the most prestigious gymnastics facility in the country. The programs under Gil and Candace Elsass now include Gymnastics, Swimming, Preschool Education, After School Care, Birthday Parties and an Adult Fitness Center.
Services
Our Parent and Tot class consists of a 35 minute class with one teacher who will be assisting you and your child. Parent and Tot is designed to help parent and child work together in a playful, fun atmosphere to develop the child's hand-eye coordination and body awareness all while building strength, agility and flexibility with basic gymnastics skills.
Students begin with very basic skills on the various apparatus' in the gym and gradually build on that foundation. They gain confidence, coordination and strength. Year round swimming lessons create little fish out of our students. Beginning very slowly with blowing bubbles and gaining comfort in the water, they end the year swimming across the pool and depending on age, many times swim team ready.
Crenshaw Athletic Club is located in Northwest Austin off of Balcones Drive. This state of the art training facility is home for many different activities for children and adults. The indoor heated pool was built with teaching in mind. The shallow end is a mere 18 inches deep. The 12,000 square foot gymnasium is equipped with both full-size and scaled-down gymnastic apparatus.
Our summer gymnastics classes meet Saturday morning in our gymnasium. The classes will introduce children to the exciting world of gymnastics. Children are grouped by ability so that all levels will have a chance to reach their own potential. The program includes rotations of trampoline, tumbling, beam, bars, rings, and more!
What makes our All Day Camp such a bargain is that EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED. Extended hours, swimming instruction, gymnastics lessons and field trips are part of the package. Crenshaws All Day is a fast-paced, fun and exciting summer camp program. Activities will include gymnastics (tumbling, trampoline, beam, bars, rings), inside/outside games, recreational swimming, arts and crafts and a variety of great field trips.
Reviews (26)
Kari A.
Dec 03, 2021
Report
Jessica Quinney
Jan 21, 2021
Report
My son absolutely loved his experience at Crenshaws! My son attended remote learning here when the schools were closed down for quarantine. The staff is so amazing and went completely above and beyond to ensure he had all of his class work and zoom calls done also while keeping the fun part of being a kid by incorporating gymnastics, play and swimming. Such an amazing experience, we will definitely be back!
Laurie K.
Dec 08, 2020
Report
There are not enough words to describe the love our family has for Crenshaws. Our children both took gymnastics on Saturday mornings when they toddlers which was a great deal of fun for them. Once they started elementary school we were lucky enough to get them spots in the after school program. We pick up happy and tired kids each evening. They swim, play, get gymnastic lessons, do arts and crafts and homework.
The summers camps are super fun as well. Non-Covid summer camps are all of the above as well as field trips and swimming. Covid camps were well managed and safe.
Crenshaws has been our
The summers camps are super fun as well. Non-Covid summer camps are all of the above as well as field trips and swimming. Covid camps were well managed and safe.
Crenshaws has been our
Kaylani L.
Dec 07, 2020
Report
Crenshaws has been solid and positive part of our family for over 5 years. Our kiddos started with gymnastics as toddlers which significantly promoted agility and coordination. They each have since also learned swimming skills including safety and stroke techniques as an extension of the After School Care. Now, both my son and daughter are advancing their gymnastics as part of the well known team and just love it!
Throughout COVID, the communication and consistency to remain safe while providing a since of normalcy has been extremely appreciated. I have and will continue to strongly recommend
Throughout COVID, the communication and consistency to remain safe while providing a since of normalcy has been extremely appreciated. I have and will continue to strongly recommend
Rachel N.
Dec 07, 2020
Report
My family is so grateful for the presence of such an amazing athletic club that is also an important stakeholder in developing kids in our community! Crenshaws is a second home for my two boys, and they have participated in most of the youth programs from gymnastics to summer camps and aftercare. It is most certainly a gem and everyone at Crenshaw's is like a family to my kids and vested in their growth in a holistic level. Most recently with COVID, we were so grateful to have Crenshaw's as a remote camp that was top notch and made it possible for us to work worry free during these crazy
Matt B.
Dec 07, 2020
Report
I have been blown away by the whole Crenshaw's team during last 9 months of unprecedented chaos and change related to COVID. My 7 year old daughter was part of their summer program and then transitioned into the remote learning camp for Fall Semester of 2020. The folks at Crenshaw feel like family and have done an OUTSTANDING job of accommodating the needs of remote learners over the past several months. Can't say enough good things about them!!
Jon Plum
Aug 25, 2020
Report
I've had three kids go through Crenshaw's programs. The excellent after school care is great for academic advancement and exercise. I have great memories of watching my kids learn a flip on the trampoline and taking their first swim in the pool. The staff is excellent and experienced - a great asset to Austin. My kids are not gymnasts, but I know Crenshaw's gymnastics program is world class and my children have learned lifelong skills for exercise, tumbling and stretching that are obvious in other sports and activities. I recommend Crenshaw's to anyone with kids!
Rick Reeder
Jul 13, 2020
Report
Our daughter has attended Crenshaw's After School Care for three and a half years. We have all been very pleased with the communication, organization and culture at Crenshaw's! She has time and help to get her homework done, plus they have swim and gymnastics options. It's so nice to know she's well cared-for and having fun while we finish our work day. Can't say enough good things!
London Alex
Aug 11, 2019
Report
This is one of the better gyms I've been to in Austin. State of the art equipment, instructors, swimming facilities, arobics. Fully equipped with lockers, towels, showers, and all the amenties you could possibly want. Full spa treatments, full massages, etc. Be advised parking is hard to find in the area, so park inside the garage.
Gwynne A.
Apr 03, 2019
Report
My niece started at Crenshaw in January. After 4 visits, there had been no instruction. Only "observation." Which really wasn't observation at all. Children were completely unsupervised as teenaged kids attended to certain kids that they already knew and kids they were targeting to be on a competitive team. New kids (preschoolers!) were left to run around and bounce on trampolines and other gymnastics equipment with little to no guidance and ZERO instruction. We stopped attending because it was dangerous and a waste of time, and no one at Crenshaw even bothered to contact us
Jenny B.
Nov 10, 2018
Report
Crenshaw's Palaestra preschool is truly an Austin treasure. We first enjoyed the parent/tot gymnastics class before moving on to the preschool, where my daughter gets swimming, gymnastics, language arts, science and math, as well as a well-rounded arts program. The teachers are incredible, and I also regularly see the owner and director playing with the children themselves. I often hear many fellow parents of preschool children refer to Crenshaw's as Austin's best kept secret. We will be sad to leave when my child starts kindergarten, but thanks to Crenshaw's, she will do so
Anna H.
Jan 21, 2018
Report
We absolutely love the preschool here, and the gymnastics program my son does after school and in the summer. As a kid, I actually learned how to swim at Crenshaw's, and the place is still going strong for a reason. All the preschool teachers are highly educated, kind, and professional, and my daughter adores them all. The very small "teams" or classes are amazing. I love that my daughter gets swimming lessons and plenty of exercise every day. One of her classmate's mother is a former kindergarten teacher, and she assured me the kids were more than prepared for kindergarten
Cathy G.
May 17, 2017
Report
Our two grandchildren, ages one and a half and 2 1/2 just completed a gymnastics course which met weekly for approximately three months. Due to their young age parents/grandparents had to accompany them. My wife and I have gotten great pleasure out of watching them develop their fine and gross motor skills, have fun, and seeing their weekly progress. Believe it or not, children of that age learn the joys and safety factors in using a trampoline, walking a balance beam, climbing walls and ladders, learning forward rolls, walking up tilted ladders doing the Firemans crawl and doing the bear crawl
Andrea L.
May 13, 2017
Report
Shira A.
Jan 17, 2017
Report
I don't take any joy in giving a less then good review... but since my experience was so different than the other reviews, i feel compelled to share honestly...
having experienced both Capital, Champions, and Crenshaw, I have a platform to compare, so this is from my personal experience:
Crenshaw facilities are older and a bit run down, the gymnasium is a bit stifling in the summer, with no or little AC. but more disappointing is their lack of service orientation... first, the front office manager is unpersonable, which i find disappointing considering this is a family-oriented service position
having experienced both Capital, Champions, and Crenshaw, I have a platform to compare, so this is from my personal experience:
Crenshaw facilities are older and a bit run down, the gymnasium is a bit stifling in the summer, with no or little AC. but more disappointing is their lack of service orientation... first, the front office manager is unpersonable, which i find disappointing considering this is a family-oriented service position
Jon P.
Aug 16, 2016
Report
My kids love going to Crenshaw Athletic Club. I have two boys who have attended their after school program for years and the gymnastics training has really improved their conditioning for other sports like soccer and swimming. The Spinner gymnastics team is phenomenal!
Crenshaw's also has great programs like summer camps that are truly "all day" and they really engage the kids in all kinds of activities. Their counselors and trainers are top notch and Crenshaw's still has that "old Austin" family business feel that is becoming rare.
My four year old daughter
Crenshaw's also has great programs like summer camps that are truly "all day" and they really engage the kids in all kinds of activities. Their counselors and trainers are top notch and Crenshaw's still has that "old Austin" family business feel that is becoming rare.
My four year old daughter
Phuong C.
Jan 30, 2016
Report
Christa Spraggins
Dec 31, 2015
Report
Crenshaw's has the best coaches - I mean, really better than I can believe. My child is only a toddler, but her "coach" - Coach A.J., has been at Crenshaw's since 2008, and he is amazing at motivating the little kids and pushing their boundaries just enough to create proud smiles on their faces. He remembers all the kids and their increasing level of ability, and suggests variations on the equipment for each child as they progress.
I've noticed the other coaches are also quite skilled. In the classes without parents, I see coaches with 10 little kids all lined up, following their every word. I
I've noticed the other coaches are also quite skilled. In the classes without parents, I see coaches with 10 little kids all lined up, following their every word. I
Son Of Cormack
Jul 10, 2015
Report
Sb B.
Feb 05, 2015
Report
We haven't taken another toddler class here, so I can't say if those have improved, but I can say that I've seen the new after school care people at the park with the Crenshaw kids a lot and wow, what a turn around. One day I saw one teacher enthusiastically get kickball game going, while another male teacher led a beading project w a table of girls (super cute) and a third teacher had a sweet one on one conversation with a student while on the swings.
They obviously put a lot of effort into hiring this year. If I was a working parent needing after school care, I'd send my
They obviously put a lot of effort into hiring this year. If I was a working parent needing after school care, I'd send my
Sara A.
Oct 04, 2014
Report
My daughter is in her third year at the Palaestra program and her sister just started this year. I don't think there is any program like this in all of Austin. The combination of swim/gym/academics is pretty genius. Have you ever seen 10-12 preschoolers move efficiently from one place to another? The kids learn discipline, kindness, impulse control and how to follow the rules (all the most important lessons for pre K) but they also learn their alphabet, writing, basic science, artists (not just doing art, they learn about the artists and styles too) It's truly the most well rounded program
Tiffany Sowersby
Aug 31, 2014
Report
My son just had his 6th birthday party at Crenshaw's and it was awesome!! The kids thoroughly enjoyed gymnastics and swimming in the indoor heated pool. They also LOVED the hot tub! Everything was super organized on Crenshaw's end. The instructors were great. The parents even had a great time watching the kids enjoy the party. I can't say enough good things about this place. My son had a smile from ear to ear yesterday. Enough said.
Maury Hexamer
Oct 26, 2013
Report
Crenshaw Athletic Club
Jul 20, 2013
Report
Shinta S.
May 25, 2011
Report
My daughter loves Crenshaw. She goes there for summer camps; she had her birthday party there 2-3 times; she even took some regular gymnastic classes for a few months.
When my daughter was younger, she was scared of pools and water. We took her to a swim lesson (not in Crenshaw) when she was 4.5 years old. She got so scared, she refused to even enter the building. But later at Crenshaw when she was a bit older, a teacher was able to get my daughter worked through her fears. She now loves swimming, has no problem diving and putting her head in water.
Crenshaw also has an after-school program
When my daughter was younger, she was scared of pools and water. We took her to a swim lesson (not in Crenshaw) when she was 4.5 years old. She got so scared, she refused to even enter the building. But later at Crenshaw when she was a bit older, a teacher was able to get my daughter worked through her fears. She now loves swimming, has no problem diving and putting her head in water.
Crenshaw also has an after-school program
Kelly D.
May 19, 2011
Report
We've had a mixed experience at Crenshaw's. Both of our daughters attended gymnastics classes during their kindergarten year. Our older daughter hated them and fought us when it was time to go. The younger one loves gymnastics-- though I honestly can't say how much of that is a credit to Crenshaw's and how much is just intrinsic love and some natural talent.
I have not felt a very personal connection to the instructors. Particularly for the first kid (who was not super at gymnastics on her own), I don't feel like anyone really took the time to "know" and
I have not felt a very personal connection to the instructors. Particularly for the first kid (who was not super at gymnastics on her own), I don't feel like anyone really took the time to "know" and
