Honestly, if you live in the Red River Valley and have a kid who can't stop doing handstands against your living room wall, you’ve probably heard of American Gold Gymnastics Fargo. It’s basically a local institution. But here's the thing: most people just see the big building on 17th Avenue South and think it’s just another place for kids to burn off energy on a Saturday morning.
It is way more than that.
Founded back in 1983—though its roots with the FM Acro Team go all the way back to 1972—this place has evolved into a massive non-profit engine. We are talking about a facility that manages over 1,500 athletes. That's not a typo. From toddlers who can barely walk to elite high schoolers competing for state titles, the scale of what happens inside those walls is kind of wild.
The Weird and Wonderful FM Acro Team
You can't talk about American Gold Gymnastics Fargo without mentioning the FM Acro Team. If you’ve ever been to a Bison halftime show or a local parade, you’ve seen them. They aren't your typical "stick the landing" Olympic-style gymnasts. They are essentially a high-energy performance troupe.
They specialize in precision tumbling and mini-tramping. Think of it as North Dakota’s answer to a specialized circus act, but with more discipline and a lot of history. This team has been around for over 50 years. It’s the "founding program" of the whole organization. While most gymnastics programs focus solely on scores and judges, the Acro team is all about the crowd. They travel across the country, showing off syncronized flips that honestly look a bit terrifying if you aren't the one doing them.
Not Just For the Pros
A lot of parents get intimidated by "competitive" gyms. They think if their kid isn't the next Simone Biles, they don't belong. That is a total misconception here.
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The recreational program at AGG is huge. They have over 60 classes running six days a week. They take babies as young as 18 months for "Parent Tot" classes—which, let's be real, is mostly just organized chaos and cute photos. But as they get older, the structure gets legit.
- KinderGym: The bridge for 5-year-olds where they start learning actual fundamental progressions.
- Gymnastics 1-5: A tiered system where kids move up based on skills, not just age. You have to pass a "Handstand Forward Roll" to get into Gym 2. It's objective.
- Ninja Zone: This is the game-changer for kids who think gymnastics is too "traditional." It mixes martial arts, obstacle course training, and breakdance. It’s basically parkour for kids, and it’s arguably the most popular thing they’ve added in years.
The High School Connection
One thing that makes the Fargo gymnastics scene unique is how integrated it is. American Gold Gymnastics Fargo isn't just a private club; it's the home base for Fargo North, Fargo South, and Fargo Davies high school teams. West Fargo and Moorhead high schools have deep ties here too.
This creates a weirdly cool ecosystem. You have seven-year-olds practicing on one beam, and ten feet away, a high school senior is training for a state championship. It gives the younger kids a roadmap. They see the work ethic required. They see the "big kids" failing a landing and getting back up. That kind of mentorship doesn't happen in a vacuum.
The Business of Being a Non-Profit
It’s easy to forget that AGG is a 501(c)(3). They aren't in it to make a killing; they are in it to keep the lights on and the mats safe. Gymnastics equipment is expensive. A single high-quality balance beam can cost thousands of dollars.
To keep it running, they do some pretty heavy-duty fundraising.
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You might have seen the "Cartwheel-A-Thon." In 2024, they raised over $54,000 in a single day. Over 300 athletes did 100 cartwheels each. It’s a lot of spinning. They also host the "Cartwheels & Keys" gala—a dueling pianos event that recently pulled in $23,000 for new equipment.
The board of directors, currently led by President Dustin Nowotny, is a mix of parents, local business leaders, and alumni. It’s a community-run ship.
Competitive Results: The 2025 Snapshot
If you want to look at the "Gold" in the name, you have to look at the meet scores. At the 2025 ND USA Gym State Championships, AGG athletes were all over the leaderboards.
Look at names like Alex Peterson, who put up a massive 38.675 All-Around score in Level 3. Or Gracie Ertelt and Mae Jehlik, both hitting over 38.000. In the higher levels, Addison Tandeski (Level 10) and Audrey Bergstrom (Level 9) are consistently representing Fargo on a regional stage.
They also recently hosted the 2025 Women’s Development Program Level 9 Western Championships at the Fargodome. Bringing an event of that scale to Fargo is a huge deal. They even brought in 2024 Paris Olympian Aleah Finnegan as a guest speaker. That’s the level of clout this organization has in the gymnastics world.
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Why This Place Matters
Gymnastics is a brutal sport. It’s 90% falling down and 10% sticking the landing. The mission statement at AGG is "to encourage and teach children to believe in themselves."
It sounds cheesy.
But when you see a kid who was terrified of the foam pit finally do a back tuck, you get it. The gym is located at 2001 17th Ave S, and it’s basically a second home for hundreds of Fargo families.
Actionable Steps for Parents
If you're thinking about getting your kid involved, here is how you actually navigate the system:
- Skip the Waitlist Stress: Don't wait for the fall. Their summer "Stars & Stripes" camps are often a better way to test the waters without a long-term commitment.
- The Evaluation Path: If your kid has "backyard skills," don't just sign up for Gym 1. Request an evaluation. If they have the strength and flexibility, the coaches might bump them to Gym 2 or 3 immediately so they don't get bored.
- Watch the Calendar: Registration for popular time slots (like 5:30 PM on Tuesdays) fills up in minutes. Set an alarm for the day registration opens on their SportsEngine portal.
- Volunteer: Since it's a non-profit, they are always looking for "Dibs" (volunteer hours). It’s the best way to meet other parents and understand how the competitive pipeline actually works.
American Gold Gymnastics Fargo remains the heartbeat of the local sports scene for a reason. It’s built on decades of history, a massive community of volunteers, and a relentless focus on getting kids to move. Whether it's through a "Ninja" class or a high-stakes state meet, the goal is the same: building confidence through a lot of sweat and a few hundred cartwheels.
Next Steps for New Families
Visit the official American Gold Gymnastics website to check the current class availability. If your child is between 6 and 12, start with a "Gymnastics 1" or "Ninja Zone" trial to see which discipline fits their energy level best. Enrollment typically happens in sessions, so verify the upcoming start dates to secure a spot.