Bloomington-Normal's Tumbling & Cheer Prep Gym
Technique Tumbling & Cheer Prep is located at 1720 Bradford Lane, Unit 104, Normal, IL, serving families throughout Bloomington-Normal and McLean County since December 2017. The gym was founded by Russ Berndt, former head coach of Rising Stars Academy, after 34 years of competitive coaching in gymnastics and power tumbling & trampoline. Recognizing a clear need in the community for training focused specifically on tumbling and cheer prep, Russ built a gym where athletes of every age and ability could develop real skill in a structured, supportive setting.
Today, that same coaching background shapes every class we teach. Our staff has trained State, Regional, and National-level competitors, and for over 30 years has worked with many of the area's top high school cheerleaders as they moved from gymnastics into competitive cheer. Families across Normal, Bloomington, and the surrounding area choose us because they know exactly what they're getting: experienced coaches, a clean and well-maintained facility, and a training environment built around steady, measurable progress. Call (309) 808-2581 to learn more about enrolling your athlete.
Growth for Every Athlete, at Every Level
Our mission is to support the physical and mental development of children throughout Bloomington-Normal and Central Illinois, regardless of their starting ability. We do this through positive reinforcement and creative coaching across every tumbling, stunting, and cheer prep class we offer.
We believe each child is capable of far more than they realize, and our job is to set the right goals, apply the right challenge, and give them the tools to reach it.
That belief shapes how every class is run. Athletes are placed at a level that matches their maturity and ability, guided by coaches who are motivational and genuinely invested in their progress.
Training stays fun and age-appropriate, because we want kids to build self-worth and a love for the sport, not just a list of skills. Above all, we aim to create an environment where every child feels safe, supported, and capable of achieving something they're proud of.
Real Coaching, Real Consistency, Real Results
What sets Technique Tumbling & Cheer Prep apart starts with experience. Few gyms in Central Illinois can offer 34 years of competitive coaching behind every class, spanning gymnastics, power tumbling, trampoline, and cheer prep.
That depth of knowledge means athletes aren't just learning skills — they're learning them the right way, with proper progressions and continual correction that keeps them improving instead of plateauing.
Consistency matters just as much. Manageable class sizes and steady staffing mean athletes train with coaches who actually know them, session after session. Add in flexible scheduling with real make-up class options, and families never have to choose between a busy week and their child's progress.
Our facility is kept clean and well-maintained year-round, with extra attention during high germ seasons, so parents can feel confident sending their kids to train. It's this combination of experienced coaching, personal attention, and a genuinely safe environment that keeps families in Normal, Bloomington, and McLean County coming back — and recommending us to others.
Safety
Clean facility, careful spotting, and smart progressions protect every growing athlete.
Character
Respect, confidence, and teamwork grow alongside new tumbling and cheer skills.
Community
Small classes and consistent coaches create a supportive cheer and tumbling family.
Meet Russ Berndt, Founder of Technique Tumbling & Cheer Prep
Russ Berndt is the founder and head coach of Technique Tumbling & Cheer Prep, bringing 25 years of competitive coaching experience in gymnastics, power tumbling, and trampoline to athletes across Bloomington-Normal and Central Illinois. Before founding Technique, Russ served as owner and head coach of Rising Stars Academy, where he built a reputation for developing State, Regional, and National-level champions and competitors.
After retiring from Rising Stars Academy, Russ saw a clear gap in the community: families needed a gym focused specifically on tumbling and cheer prep, not general gymnastics. So he built one. Technique Tumbling & Cheer Prep was founded to give Bloomington-Normal athletes access to the same level of instruction Russ had spent his career refining, tailored specifically to tumbling and competitive cheer.
For over 25 years, Russ and his staff have worked with many of the region's top high school cheerleaders, coaching them through upper-level gymnastics training before they transitioned into competitive cheer programs. That experience gives him a rare perspective on exactly what young athletes need at each stage, from their first cartwheel to advanced tumbling passes and stunting work.
Today, Russ leads a highly trained coaching staff dedicated to challenging every athlete who walks through the door, using proven progressions and up-to-date drills and techniques to help them reach their full potential. His approach hasn't changed over the years: meet each athlete where they are, push them to grow, and help them become the best they can be.