The first two competitive years
Rhythmic Gymnastics Level 2, Level 3, and Xcel: First Competitive Steps
In Rhythmic Art's competitive program, Level 2 is the first year: a pre-competitive group that prepares your child for the first competitions. Level 3 is the official second year, after Level 2, and Rhythmic Xcel is part of the Level 3 program. A coach evaluation shows where your child starts. No invitation is needed.
Our office and coaches serve families in Spanish.
Level 2, Level 3, and Rhythmic Xcel, year by year
Level 2 comes first, then Level 3. Rhythmic Xcel is part of the Level 3 program, and it is where girls about 10 and older who are new to rhythmic gymnastics usually start. A coach evaluation decides where your child starts, and the coach assigns the schedule.
Training at Rhythmic Art covers every level, from our recreational Gymnastics for Kids classes through the FIG levels, Elite, the National Team, and world-class athletes. Level 2 and Level 3 are the first two competitive years.
See the full competitive pathFirst year: pre-competitive
Level 2
Level 2 gymnastics at Rhythmic Art is the first year of the competitive program: our pre-competitive group, which prepares your child for the first competitions and for Level 3.
Second year, after Level 2
Level 3
Level 3 gymnastics is the official second year of our competitive program, after Level 2. It is a USA Gymnastics Development Program level, and it is where competition begins.
Part of our Level 3 program
Rhythmic Xcel
Rhythmic Xcel is USA Gymnastics' Xcel gymnastics program for rhythmic gymnastics. Its rules put personal progress ahead of placement.
Where does your daughter start?
Your child is in Gymnastics for Kids and loves it
Level 1 builds the foundation for Level 2, the first competitive year. Ask whether your child is ready for an evaluation. You do not need to wait for an invitation.
Request a coach evaluationYour child has danced or done other gymnastics
Tell us about your child's training in the inquiry. The coach evaluation looks at what your child can do now and recommends the group that fits.
Tell us about your child's trainingYour child is about 10 or older and new to rhythmic gymnastics
Your child will most likely start in Rhythmic Xcel, part of our Level 3 program, and train alongside our Level 3 group. That is the best fit for that age. Xcel rules put personal progress ahead of placement, and like Level 3 it asks for consistent training and the team's discipline. The coach evaluation confirms where your child starts.
Ask about Rhythmic XcelYour child is brand new to gymnastics
Start with a free first class in Gymnastics for Kids, for ages 5 and up. No experience is needed.
Request a free first classYour child is happy training one or two days a week
That is what recreational classes are for. Gymnastics for Kids offers 1, 2, or 3 days a week, and you can ask about competition later.
See Gymnastics for Kids
Coming from artistic gymnastics or artistic Xcel?
Welcome. A coach evaluation shows where your child fits; girls about 10 and older usually start in Rhythmic Xcel, part of our Level 3 program.
What carries over from artistic gymnastics?
The coach evaluation looks at what your child can do now, including what your child learned in artistic gymnastics. New in rhythmic gymnastics are the apparatus (rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon) and routines performed to music.
Is Rhythmic Xcel like artistic Xcel?
Both are USA Gymnastics Xcel programs, and the level names will sound familiar: Rhythmic Xcel uses Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire, plus Super Stars and Copper. Rhythmic Xcel has its own rules and routines.
What is the difference between Xcel and the levels?
In rhythmic gymnastics they are two USA Gymnastics programs. The levels, from Level 3 on, form the Development Program. Rhythmic Xcel has its own levels and rules that put personal progress ahead of placement. At a competition, a gymnast competes individually in one of the two, not both.
What is the next step?
Request a coach evaluation and tell us about your child's artistic training. The coach looks at what your child can do now and recommends where to start. After the evaluation, we review the training week with you.
The training week at Level 2, Level 3, and Xcel
- Level 2
- 3 days a week, 1 hour a day
- Level 3 and Rhythmic Xcel
- 3 days a week, 2 hours a day
- A coach assigns the exact days and times. Competitive athletes follow that team schedule; the flexible recreational rule does not apply to competitive training.
- At Levels 2 and 3, plan for at least 1 coach-assigned competition, and a second when assigned.
- Competitive tuition follows your child's training plan. After the evaluation, we review the recommended plan and the current tuition with you before your child enrolls.
How to ask about Level 2, Level 3, or Rhythmic Xcel
Send the short evaluation inquiry
It is on the competitive team page. Share your child's age and current training, and mention Xcel if you are interested.
A coach reads it
The coach reviews what you shared and replies by email.
The office offers a time
If an evaluation is the right next step, the office offers a time that works.
Prefer Spanish? Our office and coaches serve families in Spanish. Leer esta guía en español.
USA Gymnastics sources
- Rhythmic Xcel Program Handbook (updated July 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Rules & Policies, Chapter 3: Competitive Structure (April 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- Development Program apparatus chart, 2025-2028 (opens in a new tab)
- Development Program Code of Points, Levels 3-5 (opens in a new tab)
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