If you’ve spent any amount of time in the youth sports world around the Twin Cities, you’ve probably heard the name. People just say "KOD." It stands for Kids of Determination, but in the context of Inver Grove Heights, it basically stands for a local institution that has redefined what competitive gymnastics looks like in a suburban setting.
It’s not just a gym.
For some families, it’s a second home where kids spend twenty hours a week sweat-soaked and chalk-covered. For others, it’s a confusing building they drive past on their way to the AMC movie theater. But if you’re looking into KOD Inver Grove Heights, you aren’t just looking for a place for your kid to do a cartwheel. You’re likely looking for the specific "why" behind their reputation.
Gymnastics is brutal. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and physically demanding. So, why does this specific spot in a quiet corner of the metro area consistently churn out high-level athletes and keep families coming back for decades?
The Reality of Training at KOD Inver Grove Heights
Let’s be real for a second. Most people think gymnastics is about sparkly leotards and Olympic dreams. While that’s the "Discover Channel" version, the reality at a high-level facility like KOD Inver Grove Heights is about the grind.
The facility itself is located off 50th Street, tucked away in an industrial-looking area that belies the intensity inside. When you walk in, the first thing that hits you is the smell. It’s that unmistakable mix of industrial-grade chalk, floor mats, and hard work. It isn't a "play place." While they do offer recreational classes for the tiny tots who just want to burn off energy on a Saturday morning, the soul of KOD is its competitive program.
They focus heavily on the Junior Olympic (JO) and Xcel tracks.
If you aren't familiar with the lingo, JO is the "hardcore" path. It’s for the kids who are eyeing college scholarships or elite-level placements. Xcel is a bit more flexible, allowing for a life outside the gym, but don't let that fool you—the KOD Xcel teams are still incredibly competitive within the state of Minnesota. Honestly, the coaching staff there doesn't really do "halfway." You’re either in, or you’re in.
What Sets the Coaching Apart?
Every gym says they have "expert coaches." It’s a marketing trope. But at KOD Inver Grove Heights, the coaching staff is known for a very specific blend of old-school discipline and modern athletic science.
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The gym was founded by husband-and-wife duo Arshak Amirbekyan and Tatevik Amirbekyan. This is a huge detail. Arshak is a former member of the Armenian National Team. When you have someone at the helm who has competed at a world-class international level, the culture of the gym changes. It’s not just about "trying your best"; it’s about technical precision.
I’ve seen coaches at other gyms who focus on the "big tricks" too early. They want the double backflips because they look cool on Instagram. KOD is different. They are sticklers for the basics. If your pointed toes aren't perfect on a simple handstand, you aren't moving on. It’s frustrating for the kids sometimes. It’s definitely frustrating for the parents who want to see fast progress. But that foundation is why their injury rates tend to stay lower than gyms that rush the process.
The "Inver Grove" Factor
Why Inver Grove Heights? It seems like an odd spot for a premier gymnastics hub. Usually, these big-name gyms are in the affluent western suburbs like Wayzata or Eden Prairie.
But KOD Inver Grove Heights serves a massive footprint. Because of its location right off Highway 52 and 494, it draws kids from St. Paul, Woodbury, South St. Paul, and even over the river from Eagan. It’s a melting pot. You’ve got kids from all different backgrounds training on the same set of uneven bars.
The community aspect is actually one of the most underrated parts of the gym. Because the sport is so demanding, the "Gym Moms" and "Gym Dads" at KOD form a tight-knit subculture. They’re the ones organizing the carpools from Woodbury or sitting in the viewing area for four hours on a Tuesday night. If you’re a parent joining this world, be prepared: your social circle is about to become 90% gymnastics parents.
Dealing with the "Gymnastics Burnout"
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Burnout is real in this sport.
One of the criticisms often leveled at high-intensity gyms like KOD is the pressure. Gymnastics is a sport of perfection, and that can weigh heavy on a ten-year-old. KOD has had to evolve over the years. In the past, the "European style" of coaching was seen as cold or overly tough.
Nowadays, there’s a much bigger emphasis on the "determination" part of Kids of Determination. They’ve integrated more mental health awareness and "fun" days to break up the monotony of the competitive season. Is it still tough? Yes. Will your kid cry sometimes? Probably. But the goal is to build resilience, not just athletes.
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Breaking Down the Costs and Commitment
If you’re thinking about signing up, you need to look at your bank account and your calendar. Honestly, it’s a lot.
- Tuition: For competitive levels, you’re looking at hundreds of dollars a month. This covers the coaching hours, which can range from 9 to 20+ hours per week.
- Meet Fees: You aren't just paying for the gym. You're paying for the judges, the venues, and the USAG memberships.
- The Gear: A competitive leotard from KOD isn't a $20 Target find. They are custom-designed, often Swarovski-encrusted pieces of athletic wear that can cost $300 or more.
- Travel: The KOD teams travel. You’ll be going to meets in Minneapolis, but also potentially to Florida, Nevada, or Chicago.
It’s a lifestyle choice. If you want "just a hobby," stay in the recreational "rec" classes. But if your child is climbing your doorframes and doing flips off the sofa, the investment in a place like KOD Inver Grove Heights starts to make sense.
The Facility and Equipment
The gym isn't the newest in the state, but it’s well-maintained. They have deep foam pits—which are essential for learning high-level releases on bars without breaking a neck. They have multiple sets of bars, high and low beams, and a full-size spring floor.
One thing that stands out is their vaulting runway. It’s long, and they have enough space for kids to really get up to speed. In smaller "boutique" gyms, you often see kids having to start their run-up in a hallway. At KOD, the layout is designed for power.
They also have a dedicated area for conditioning. If you watch a KOD practice, you’ll notice they spend a huge chunk of time not doing gymnastics, but doing leg lifts, pushups, and sprints. That’s the "Secret Sauce." You can't do the gymnastics if you don't have the muscle.
What Most People Get Wrong About KOD
People think it’s an "elite or bust" factory. That’s a misconception.
While they have produced some incredible athletes who have gone on to D1 college programs (which is the holy grail for most), they also have a massive Xcel program. Xcel is the "shining star" of Minnesota gymnastics right now. It allows kids who started the sport later—say at age 9 or 10—to still compete and feel like a "real" gymnast without the 25-hour-a-week commitment of the JO levels.
KOD’s Xcel Platinum and Diamond teams are consistently at the top of the state rankings. This shows that the coaching quality trickles down. It’s not just the top 2% of kids getting the good coaching; it’s everyone.
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Navigating the Competition Season
If you live in Inver Grove Heights, you’ll see the KOD vans and the "Gymnastics Mom" decals everywhere from December through April. That’s the heart of the season.
The "KOD Invitational" is a big deal. It brings in gyms from all over the Midwest. If you’re a local business owner, this is your Super Bowl—hundreds of families looking for coffee, lunch, and hotel rooms.
During the season, the atmosphere in the gym changes. It gets quieter. More focused. The "determination" part of the name really kicks in. You’ll see girls hitting their routines over and over until the muscle memory is flawless. It’s a lesson in delayed gratification that most kids today don't get anywhere else.
Actionable Steps for Parents
If you’re considering KOD Inver Grove Heights, don't just cold-call and sign up for a year. Do this instead:
- Schedule an Evaluation: Don't just guess which level your kid is. Let Arshak or the senior staff watch them for 15 minutes. They see things—tightness in the shoulders, natural spring in the calves—that you won't.
- Watch a Practice: Don't just look at the lobby. Ask to sit in for a full session of the level your child would be entering. Look at the interaction between the coaches and the athletes. Is it a fit for your child's personality? Some kids need a "tough love" coach; others shut down.
- Talk to a "Senior" Parent: Find a parent whose kid has been there for 5+ years. Ask them about the "hidden" costs and how the gym handles injuries. That’s the real litmus test.
- Check the USAG Results: Look up the "Kids of Determination" scores on sites like MeetScoresOnline. You can see how they’ve performed over the last few years. The data doesn't lie—they are consistently in the top tier for floor and vault.
- Audit the Commute: If you live in Minneapolis or Woodbury, drive the route at 4:30 PM on a Tuesday. If that drive makes you want to scream, the best coaching in the world won't make it worth it.
Gymnastics at this level is a marathon. KOD Inver Grove Heights provides the shoes and the training plan, but the family provides the gas. It’s a formidable partnership if you’re ready for the commitment. Whether your goal is a college scholarship or just building a kid who knows how to work harder than anyone else in their classroom, this gym is one of the few places in the Midwest that actually delivers on that promise.
Keep an eye on the state rankings this year. Chances are, you'll see a lot of blue and gold at the top of the podium. That’s just the KOD way.
Next Steps for Local Families: Check the official KOD website for their "Try-It" days, usually held in late summer or early fall. If you’re looking for summer camps, book them at least three months in advance, as the Inver Grove Heights location tends to hit capacity by April. For those transitioning from recreational programs at the YMCA or local community centers, prepare for a "level down" initially—KOD’s standards for form are often much stricter than general rec programs, and it’s common for kids to repeat a level to perfect their basics before moving to the competitive floor.