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August 2022 by Kara Harrison
We felt included from day one. It feels like a big family. My daughter's coach, Olivia, is simply wonderful - patient, excited, kind, knowledgeable, encouraging and still sets clear expectations so my daughter feels confident she can achieve her goals. The owners answered all my many questions with kindness, which I really appreciated, too.
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September 2021 by Julie Keegan
I am so incredibly impressed with this gym in hopes of getting my daughter ready for school cheer tryouts. Her jumps look great and she nailed her round off back handspring tonight at her first football game.Just as important as the cheers she has learned, she feels an incredible amount of support from her coaches. She is more confident in attempting new skills. The coaches push her to go slightly beyond her comfort zone and hype her when she does well. She leaves every single class feeling excited about things she did well at and when she is struggling will tell me exactly what she was told to do better next time.I am so thankful we found this gym to help my daughter move to a higher level with her skills!
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July 2019 by Dan Bosworth
My family was a part of the X-Cel family for over seven years, and we couldn't have been happier with the way we were treated. Each coach takes the time to carefully develop a plan of action for each athlete's skill set which gets implemented into the larger group (team). The owner, Melanie, and her highly accredited staff would do anything to ensure that the athletes feel welcome, safe, and part of something bigger than just cheer -- A FAMILY! At no point did our family feel as if they were discriminatory or unfair; everything was done as a result of the passion they all share for the sport of cheerleading. Of all of the gyms in the Northeast Ohio area, I would have no reservation whatsoever of recommending a competitive cheerleader to go to X-Cel Athletics and Step One North.
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June 2019 by Jennifer Hillsman
My daughter started going to Xcel athletics when she was 7 years old. We started on a regional team, being that I had no experience with competitive cheer and really had no idea what it entailed. We have been with Melanie and her coaches for over five years now. She has been double teaming on Nationals since that first season and loving every minute of it! I cannot even believe how much my daughter has grown. She has grown physically, mentally and emotionally! I never knew how much cheer could mean to my daughter and us as parents. She has been through both good times and rough times, and with the help of her coaches and all of the staff at now Step One North absolutely flourished.
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June 2019 by Rebecca Stonis
This is our 4th year at Xcel and we’ve had an exceptional experience! The coaching staff has been amazing- my daughter has had continuous improvement in her skills while learning to work hard as a team. The owner of the gym is actively involved and has been an outstanding mentor to my daughter. I would definitely recommend this gym for a great all around experience!
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March 2019 by Misun Park
Eight years ago our daughter wanted to learn competitive cheer. I asked around for recommendations. I was told about a new gym that was very family-friendly. I found that they employed highly trained coaches with years of experience including some who were trained nurses. I'm so happy that I am trusting my child to Melanie (the owner) and her staff. My daughter not only has learned to tumble and cheer at a much higher level than we ever expected, but, she is well prepared for school cheer. She has so much confidence. She is very physically fit and has developed lifelong friendships and relationships with many of the coaches and other athletes.
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March 2019 by Jamie Lawrence
My daughter is apart of the preschool classes on Monday mornings and they are so fun! They find fun and creative ways to get my little one active while learning basic tumbling skills. The instructors are great with kids and really know how to get them to have fun and get excited about learning! I highly recommend parents to put their little ones in this class!
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March 2019 by Tracy Peters
Step 1 North has given my grand children so much of their time and endless life lessons. These types of lessons can't be taught in a classroom or in a book. Step 1 has provided a home for our whole family and has always been fair and kind. I have never met such compassionate dedicated gym owner and business woman. We adore Melanie and are so thankful for everything her and the staff do day in and day out. Not many know the countless hours that goes into what the staff does. Many never think of the fact that people like Melanie provide a way for all athletes to achieve their goals at all times. I have seen coaches go out of their way to give athletes ride and even take them to competitions if their parent couldn't come. We could not be happier!! We are making life long memories through what Step One has provided. Thank you all for everything you do!
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March 2019 by Lisa Albert
I have sent my daughter to tumbling classes, as well as cheer boot camps to get her ready for school cheerleading for the past eight years. There are many different coaches to choose from. They are family oriented. I can drop my daughter off and leave her there to take whatever classes are available that night or Saturday morning. The owner, Melanie, is approachable and available to answer questions whenever I need. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
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March 2019 by Jeffrey Saks
Billing statements were confusing and riddled with errors. Billing questions and requests for clarification were most often ignored, while demands for payment were often abrupt, curt, and aggressive. Promised sibling discount was later denied based upon an undisclosed “policy” that discriminates against modern blended families. Confidentiality of billing dispute was repeatedly violated by sharing details of that dispute with third parties. Illness policy removes virtually all discretion from parents as to what is best for their sick children. In our experience (we have two older daughters who cheered on the west side), sick kids were expected to attend practice but never required to participate. This gym reserves the right to require a child with a high fever to practice with her team, jeopardizing the health of the sick child and exposing the otherwise healthy team mates to contagious infection. In support of this policy, gym owner, Melanie Vitale stated “as a gym, the risk (to the sick child and healthy team mates) is a risk we are willing to take.” During winter, the grounds of the gym are not properly winterized, often making entrance and exit of the building a dangerous proposition. Parents are sometimes expected to bring children to practice during severe weather emergencies and children are penalized for failing to attend practice, even if road conditions preclude safe travel to practice. We have two daughters at Step 1 North. Melanie openly favors one daughter over the other, showering one with multiple gifts and praise while avoiding any interaction with the other, causing both sisters to be extremely uncomfortable. If you are divorced, be extra wary, as in our experience, Melanie seems all too anxious to try to pit one divorced parent against the other to support her own position/desire. We chose this gym because it was known to have a good training program. In the end, however, we found the negatives far outweigh any positives. We no longer trust the gym to take care of, much less mentor, our daughters. They will finish out the cheer season and we will not be returning. Our advice, find another gym.
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March 2019 by Fernando Cruz
The coaches are dedicated and well-trained. They care about the athletes and are able to bring out the best in each one of them.
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March 2019 by Marge Gandolf
My granddaughter has been a cheerleader through Xcel Athletics/Step One All Stars for two years now and I cannot begin to describe how great of an experience it has been! Seeing her progress in a sport she loves so much while being supported by the wonderful staff is so great. Melanie Vitale has built a program that is affordable yet top of the line when it comes to training. Thank you Xcel for giving my granddaughter a second home!
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February 2018 by Michael Siskind
Great set of teams and tumbling from young rec to advanced teen. They are winners
