For parents of rambunctious kids wondering how to harness that energy, especially after last week’s Halloween candy sugar rush, Drew Davis, co-founder of Rockdale Gymnastics, has a rain or shine solution.

Rockdale Gymnastics offers a safe, colorful space filled with delights complete with tumbling mats and blocks galore, state-of-the-art equipment, rock-climbing wall, bungees, ziplines and much more. With over 15 instructors, their line-up includes more than just standard gymnastics. Dance, karate, and even swim lessons and sports camps in the summertime make them a "one-stop sports center" according to Davis.

If you have another common parental concern, that your child isn’t active enough, this might be the place to lure them away from the remote control and Game Boy.

Davis said his own mother stumbled upon gymnastics as outlet for Davis’ bottled up energy when he was 9 and she tired of scuff marks on the wall.

Don’t let the extras fool you though; they are highly specialized in their field. The Rockdale Elans, their competitive team, competes at meets all over the southeast. On the slate this winter are the Hilton Head Invitational and the Smoky Mountain Vacation Classic, to name a few. Rockdale Gymnastics also hosted over 1,500 competitors at the Amateur Athletic Union Nationals in Savannah earlier this year. Drew enjoys the team’s experiences at meets, not only competing, but also the family time in between. It’s all in the family for the Davis clan: his wife Cynthia is on many judging panels and his two daughters are Elan team members.

Founding the gym back in 1983 with his fellow Lipscomb University teammate, Joe Ashley, Davis has been planting seeds of the benefits of gymnastics for 26 years. "It’s a good physical work-out that instills strength, flexibility, coordination and confidence that brings out the best in you," he said. He’s even brought in second generation students. Kathryn Christianson, a former gymnast, now brings her two small daughters to one of the pre-school classes. She didn’t intend to start them so early, but when 3 and a half-year old Madison discovered her scrapbook, their exposure was fast-tracked.

They provide classes for children in all ages and ranges. Though it’s never too late to start, Drew believes the earlier the better. Rockdale Gymnastics offers Mommy and Me classes as early as 18 months, and the pure joy on faces as he leads a pre-school class through warm-ups is matchless.

A not-so-well-kept secret is the tremendous outlet for both kids and adults during the weekly Friday Parent’s Night Out. For $15 which includes pizza, children enjoy monitored play until their heart’s content in the facility from 7-11 p.m. This service is available for children ages 5-10, even non-gym members.

Davis certainly doesn’t let any dust collect in the gym. It’s very much a well-used space. On Saturdays, they rent the gym in hour and a half increments for birthday parties. Up to 14 children at a time can celebrate in style at his place instead of yours. As if all the aforementioned services weren’t a great enough benefit for adults, there are also morning and evening Jazzercise classes offered on site.

For class schedules, fees and more information on all the programs, visit their Web site at www.rockdalegymnastics.com. The gym is located at 1774 Old Covington Highway. Their phone number is (770) 483-0229.