Nikki is the founder and owner of gymniks gymnastics along with her husband Chris Thomson.Nikki is the owner of Gymniks Gymnastics. She is the Gymniks competitive team's coach, and an instructor of several tumbling and gymnastics classes at Gymniks. Nikki has grown up in and around the sport of gymnastics. She trained for 11 years as a competitive gymnast with a local gym. Due to a back injury, she had to give up competitive gymnastics, but excelled at all school sports due to her gymnastics background. Following high school, she began college at West Virginia University Parkersburg, majoring in education. She taught gymnastics part-time for local gymnastics programs while attending college. Nikki decided to open her own gymnastics club, to bring the nurturing, positive gymnastics environment to the students that she had grown to love. With the love, support and help of family, friends and many loyal students, Nikki opened Gymniks in the fall of 1995. Her competitive team was launched in 1998 and took 2nd in the State Championships in their first year! One year later, they took 1st place. Nikki's commitment to providing an exceptional gymnastics program for her students is apparent, and is reflected by the award winning teams Gymniks produces each year.  Her love for kids and exceptional knowledge of the sport is what makes Gymniks the top rate facility it is today.

When Nikki is not at the gym, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 beautiful children; Sophie Grace, age 7 and Toby Ryan age 1.

Chris was very involved in sports, especially wrestling and football. Shortly after Nikki opened Gymniks, Chris and Nikki were married. With the rapid growth of Gymniks, Nikki turned to Chris to help with spotting during the evening classes. Soon, Chris was off to various USA Gymnastics sponsored training courses and to Woodward Gymnastics Camp in Pennsylvania for more training. Before long, Chris had become an invaluable asset to Nikki's staff and he gave up his day job in 2000 to work full-time at Gymniks as a competitive coach and gymnastics/tumbling instructor. In his "down time" Chris enjoys fishing, motorcycle racing and spending time with his wife and kids.

Shortly after Gymniks Gymnastics became a reality, Nikki turned to her mom, Connie, for help. The record keeping and instruction of classes for this fast-growing gymnastics club was proving to be a challenge. Connie had coached gymnastics for nine of the eleven years Nikki had been in gymnastics training, so her inclusion in Gymniks' staff was an ideal choice. With the development of the Gymniks' competitive team in 1998, Nikki turned to Connie again because of her coaching experience and 10 years experience as a competitive gymnastics judge. Connie's gymnastics judging included state, regional, and collegiate meets. Additionally, Connie had studied dance for 9 years, so her ability to develop and choreograph floor and beam routines for the optional gymnasts and her knowledge of judging techniques made her an obvious choice as a competitive team coach. By 2000, the competitive team had grown, as had the gymnastics club. Connie currently coaches the competitive team, instructs gymnastics and tumbling classes, and develops programs for young, talented students to prepare for competitive gymnastics.

Sister to Nikki Thompson, Natalie joined the staff at Gymniks during the summer months while attending Ohio State University in Columbus. Natalie was a cheerleader for OSU. While attending college, Natalie was employed part-time by a gymnastics club in Columbus. Natalie proved to be a valuable asset to Gymniks as an instructor and assumed more responsibilities, including teaching gymnastics and tumbling classes. In 2001, Natalie developed Tri-City Tops All-Star Cheerleading, a competitive cheerleading program.  For the last 7 years Natalie directed and coached the Tri City Tops teams to several National titles.  In the spring of 2008 Chris and Nikki sold Tri City Tops and Natalie decided to pursue her day-time career outside the gym in insurance sales.  Natalie has remained active in the gym as both a gymnastics and tumbling instructor as well as helping coach the Gymniks Compitive Teams.  She also assists Nikki and Connie in developing floor routines for the optional competitive gymnasts each season.  Natalie's knowledge of the sport of cheerleading has been a big asset in assisting local High School, College and Recreational cheerleading teams.

Dee taught at Wood County Christian School for 5 years before joining the staff at Gymniks.  She assisted Natalie with the competitive cheerleading teams as both a coach for the "Tinys" team, fundraising coordinator and office manager.  She is now currently the office manager for Gymniks.   She has a wonderful husband, Shawn,  who is very supportive of the gym and 2 beautiful daughters; Kelli (15) and Chelsie (13) - who is preparing to compete as a Level 7 gymnast for Gymniks this year.  If you need information about any of our classes or have a question about your bill - call Dee, she will be happy to assist you.

Angela has been a vital part of Gymniks as both a gymnastics and tumbling instructor for the past 9 years.  Angela graduated from PHS in 2000 where she was also a Big Red cheerleader.  She pursued her education at the University of Charleston where she received a track and field scholarship.  She married Chris Way in 2004 and has been busy raising their beautiful daughter, Cali (1).  In addition to teaching classes at the gym, she is currently helping coach the competitive gymnastics team.  Angela will be taking a few months off from teaching/coaching at the gym as she prepares to give birth to her brand new baby boy.  We wish Angela lots of luck and hope the delivery of "baby boy Way" goes well.