Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes opened the second Texas location of her namesake gymnastics academy in Spring on Saturday, Aug. 22, bringing a nationally branded youth athletics program to the North Freeway corridor.

The Dominique Dawes Academy at 19750 North Fwy. offers five program tracks: recreational gymnastics, junior gymnastics, ninja, tumbling and competitive gymnastics. The studio serves children across age and skill levels, according to Community Impact Newspaper.

"Our goal is to create spaces where kids feel safe to take risks, learn from setbacks, and ultimately find their own success," CEO Adam Zeitsiff said. "Opening in Spring allows us to become part of another close-knit Houston community while offering families a high-quality, values-driven option for youth fitness and recreation."

Dawes, a three-time Olympian, won team gold as part of the "Magnificent Seven" at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She also earned an individual bronze on floor exercise that year, becoming the first African American female gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal.

In a Facebook post on Aug. 22, Dawes wrote that for the past 10 years, her vision has been to create an environment where kids can build confidence and develop friendships through gymnastics and ninja training. She described watching families walk through the doors and children "leave sweating, smiling, and feeling proud of themselves."

The Spring studio is the academy's second in the Houston area. Its first Texas location opened May 30 in Jersey Village. The brand also operates studios in Maryland, Georgia and Virginia, with a New Jersey location listed as opening late summer 2026.

First-time customers can book a free trial class through the academy's website.