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About Us

Our philosophy is to focus on the foundations of gymnastics, in a fun and exciting environment. We feel that gymnastics is a stepping-stone for all sports. The skills that your child practices with us will carry over to many other aspects of sport and life.

João Ribeiro - In memory of ...1959-2023

1980 Olympian, Coach

João represented Brazil in 5 World Championships, helped his team to earn the Bronze medal in the 1979 Pan Am Games, and was the first Brazilian to participate in the Olympic Games. After the Olympics, he competed in college, first at Indiana State University for one year, then he transferred to East Stroudsburg University.

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Michele Ribeiro - Owner

Former Gymnast, Accountant

Michele always loved everything about gymnastics - doing it, watching it, and reading about it! Michele competed at the college level at the University of Connecticut. 

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Following the 1980 Olympics, João accepted a scholarship to Indiana State University.  The summer before school started, while still learning English, he tagged along with a friend who was working at gymnastics camp. Michele was working at the same camp...they met, fell in love and got married after college.

 

"We opened up our first gym in February 1988 in Englewood, NJ.  It was a 10,000 square foot facility, but the ceiling was low, so we were keeping an eye out for another space. One day a real estate agent brought us to see a really nice space, but is was 25 minutes away in Mahwah!  Instead of moving out of our original facility, we ended up opening a second 10,000 square foot location in March 1992.  In 2010 we relocated our Englewood gym to an 18,000 square foot facility in Leonia. At the same time, we added 10,000 square feet to Mahwah, home to our Team Program with inground pits.  Finally, in 2017, we added 14,000 square feet housing our Cheer and Ninja Programs.

Owners of US Gymnastics Development Center Joao and Michele Ribeiro

Daniel Ribeiro, son: Competed at the University of Illinois, currently Head Coach of the Men's Gymnastics Team at the University of Illinois.

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Bec Ribeiro, daughter: Cheerleader at Iowa State University, and later went on to coach at NCA; currently Girls Competitive Team Coach at US Gym@Mahwah

Owners Joao and Michele
The Ribeiro Family owners of US Gymnastics NJ
Owners Joao and Michele at the gym
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