
Gymnathlon
methodology
Gymnathlon is a versatile sports program that ensures the comprehensive athletic development of a child. Its goal is to foster a love for physical activity in children through playful and methodically designed training sessions, while developing key abilities and skills appropriate to their age. To achieve this, Gymnathlon is structured into four interconnected programs.
Baby
2,5–4 years
- The first introduction to training and fostering independence
- Development of 10 fundamental skills
- Movement games and exercises with a variety of tools
Junior
4–6 years
- Building versatility and sports motivation
- Development of 12 key skills
- Athletic and gymnastics exercises, movement games
Sportmix
6–9 years
- Development of versatility and team cooperation
- Teaching the basics of 6 sports
- Basketball, gymnastics, tennis, athletics, volleyball, parkour
Active
8–11 years
- Building fitness and regular movement habits
- Development of 7 physical abilities
- Circuit training, technical exercises, movement games
Emphasis on maximum playfulness and experience

Game plan with stickers
For completed lessons and practiced skills and abilities, children collect stickers in attractive game plans. These enhance their motivation, as they visually guide them through the entire course. At the same time, they serve as a guide for parents, providing insight into the content and progress of the program.

The beloved monkey Max
The playful nature of the lessons is enhanced by the presence of Gymnathlon's mascot, Max the monkey, whom the children adore. Max supports the kids not only during the training sessions but also outside of them, as each child has the chance to take him home for a week. Families share their sports experiences with Max through Max's journal, allowing them to connect with others.

Two coaches for a maximum of twenty children
To ensure the quality of training and the best possible sports experience, the Gymnathlon concept is based on limited group sizes and two coaches (in the Junior, Sportmix, and Active courses). The coaches complement each other as needed, work with the children as a well-coordinated team, and always strive to ensure that every child takes away only the best experiences from each session.
Development of key abilities and skills
Area of development | Trained abilities/skills |
---|---|
Physical abilities and skills | Climbing and crawling Walking Rolling and tumbling Ball games Agility Jumping |
Tactical abilities | Space orientation |
Technical skills | Throwing |
Personality | Friendship Independence |
Area of development | Trained abilities/skills |
---|---|
Physical abilities and skills | Running Crawling and rolling Jumps and bounces Cradle and dish Exercises with equipment Balance Movement coordination Pulling (Tug-of-war) |
Tactical abilities | Orientation during play |
Technical skills | Throwing and catching Throwing a ball |
Personality | Concentration |
Sport | Key physical abilities for a given sport |
---|---|
Tennis | Speed Strenght Coordination |
Volleyball | Explosivness Speed Coordination |
Basketball | Explosivness Strenght Speed |
Athletics | Speed Strenght Explosivness |
Gymnastics | Flexibility Coordination Strenght |
Parkour | Flexibility Coordination Strenght |
Area of development | Trained abilities/skills |
---|---|
Physical abilities and skills | Speed Explosivness Strenght Endurance Coordination Flexibility Balance |
Personality | Motivation Discipline Cooperation |
Methodology guarantors
The Gymnathlon methodology is based on a diverse mix of exercises and games and was developed in collaboration with experts from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Charles University, as well as specialists from sports clubs and associations.
The selection of exercises in each program was designed with an emphasis on children's enjoyment and fun, as well as their overall development. Depending on the type of program, the methodology was developed in collaboration with the experts listed below.

Doc. PaedDr. Tomáš Perič, Ph.D.
The main guarantor of the Gymnathlon program
Charles University
Department of Sports Games
Author of publications on children's sports training

PhDr. Aleš Kaplan, Ph.D.
Athletics guarantor
Head of the Department of Athletics at Charles University.

Mgr. Jan Pecha, Ph.D.
Tennis guarantor
Member of the Methodical Commission of the Czech Tennis Association

Milena Moulisová
Basketball guarantor
Head coach for children and youth at the Czech Basketball Federation

Mgr. Karel Kupec
Professional physiotherapist

Mgr. Kateřina Doležalová, Ph.D.
Gymnastics guarantor
Department of Gymnastics at Charles University

Mgr. Michaela Knoblochová
Volleyball guarantor
Certified volleyball coach at Charles University

Jan Pospíšil
Parkour guarantor
Methodologist of the Czech Parkour Association