Pride Gymnastics trains competitive gymnasts in Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. — Since he was a kid, David Finning had a dream to create a safe space for competitive gymnasts in the Tulsa area.

When he was young, his family split up so he could live in Houston and train.

“My dad rented an apartment. My mom stayed back here in Claremore, so it was a huge financial struggle. I will always be grateful my family did that for me,” said Finning.

He eventually joined the OU men’s gymnastics team.

Moving is something that can be common for competitive gymnasts. Finning says, “they all move to go to the mega-gyms to get the training they need, so they aren’t wasting time and money.”

That’s why he started Pride Gymnastics Academy in Tulsa.

The co-owner says they’ve been around since 2016, and they’ve already sent boys and girls to nationals. His dream is to have an athlete qualify for the Olympics.

Most importantly, he wants Pride to be a safe, family space for his gymnasts, and he wants people to remember that gymnastics is important for all genders.

Amari Martin has been training since she was two. She says Pride helps her cope with bullying at school.

“I get bullied sometimes. I’ll come to practice, and it feels like a new day,” said Martin. “They try to pick on me because I’m small and short, I guess.”

Martin says she trains for about four hours a day, and her dream is to go to the Olympics. She says her teammates are like her brothers and sisters.

©2022 Cox Media Group