Break the Barriers Gymnastics Program
Break the Barriers, Inc., 8555 N Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA 93720
About
Break the Barriers Gymnastics Program includes gymnastics on equipment such as trampoline, tumble track, parallel bars, uneven bars, high bar, spring floor, vault, rings, and balance beam. The program also offers activities connected to Day Camp and Summer Cheer Camp, along with dance, martial arts, American Sign Language, stunts, music, archery, aquatics, health and fitness, tumbling, parkour, and cheer.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours Monday–Thursday 8:30am–7:15pm, Friday 8:30am–6:15pm, and Saturday 8:30am–12:15pm, with phones turning off 30 minutes before closing; upcoming events include a Day Camp on June 8, 2026 from 9:00am–12:00pm and a Summer Cheer Camp on June 8, 2026 from 1:00pm–3:00pm; Break the Barriers will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day and July 3–4 for Independence Day
• Price: Monthly fees are $75 per month for one hour per week and $150 per month for two hours per week; fees are due at registration, are nonrefundable, and no credit is given; these fees do not apply to classes through Yosemite/Monarch, Central Valley Regional Center, or Self Determination
Break the Barriers is a nonprofit corporation with a fully integrated gymnastics program where students of all abilities are trained together and grouped by age and gymnastics experience rather than ability level. Those who need more time or adaptive equipment receive the attention required to work on their skills, and a student may be transferred to a different class at the Director’s discretion. Staff are prepared to work with and teach children of all abilities in classes with other students, and the program integrates sports, performing arts, and educational classes so students learn together. The Barrier Breaker performing group shows inclusion through dance, gymnastics, martial arts, American Sign Language, stunts, and music. Break the Barriers has a strict code of ethics, a dress code, and a zero tolerance policy for events and programs that covers drugs, tobacco, alcohol, threats, bullying, fighting, and physical or verbal assault.
All classes are taught by accomplished gymnasts who are described as experts in teaching gymnastics technique, spotting, and building students’ self-esteem. Staff complete an ability awareness class with co-founder Deby Hergenrader, are familiarized with ASD, learn how to use PECs, a structured schedule, social stories, and the Timed Timer, and co-teach spectrum classes with a trained staff member. The dress code states that no tummies may show, leotards or biketards are suggested under shorts and shirts, no low-cut shirts in front or back, no spaghetti straps, tank tops must have at least a 1-inch shoulder strap, shorts must have at least a 6-inch inseam, no high-cut bottoms or short shorts, no gum, sweatpants are allowed in winter, students must be barefoot or in a gymnastics shoe, and long hair must be tied back. For registration, a Child Liability Waiver is required for students under 18 years and an Adult Liability Waiver for students 18 years and older if they have never attended before or have not attended within the last two years, and sometimes a doctor’s release is required for certain physical or medical conditions such as heart conditions, epilepsy, or bone and joint issues. In the Gymnastics Toddler & Me class, siblings who are not enrolled are not allowed on the floor, each enrolled child must have one adult ready to assist at all times, adults may help with most skills but any upside-down skill must be spotted by a coach, adults cannot go on equipment with their child, children must stay with the group, and one adult must be with each enrolled child.
The mission of Break the Barriers is “Celebrating awareness and victories of all abilities, ethnicities, and ages through exceptional programs, outreach, and inclusion education.” The outreach of the Barrier Breakers has been named “The National Role Model for Inclusion” by the U.S. Department of Education and has helped change government policies in other countries. Break the Barriers reports global impact that includes visits to 12 countries, 276 community partners, 152 schools and partners in education, 8 foreign government partnerships, service to more than 6,300 veterans and active-duty military, and impact on more than 300 million people worldwide. The organization participates in performances, assemblies, conferences, workshops, and clinics to promote integrated sports, health and fitness, performing arts, and education programs, and reports that over 10,000 individuals come through its doors weekly, including students from multiple school districts, inner-city outreach, and veterans.
Co-founder Deby Mullen Hergenrader is a former National Gymnastics Champion who competed internationally, reached the elite level, and was invited to serve on the National Special Olympics Gymnastics Committee. Co-founder Steve Hergenrader is a former professional baseball player who signed with the New York Yankees. In 1960 Deby’s sister Kathy was born, in 1972 Deby had an ankle injury in the Olympic Trials, and in 1975 Deby married Steve Hergenrader. In 1982 the Hergenraders created “Gymnastics by Deby,” in October 1984 Break the Barriers was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation, and in 1986 the Barrier Breaker team was formed. Effective June 2019, Steve and Deby passed the role of Chief Executive Officer to their oldest son, Jared Hergenrader. One gymnastics parent states, “Fidel gets so excited to go to Break the Barriers every week and it has really kept his spirits up during such a challenging year.”
Last updated June 20, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Office hours Monday–Thursday 8:30am–7:15pm, Friday 8:30am–6:15pm, and Saturday 8:30am–12:15pm, with phones turning off 30 minutes before closing; upcoming events include a Day Camp on June 8, 2026 from 9:00am–12:00pm and a Summer Cheer Camp on June 8, 2026 from 1:00pm–3:00pm; Break the Barriers will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day and July 3–4 for Independence Day
• Price: Monthly fees are $75 per month for one hour per week and $150 per month for two hours per week; fees are due at registration, are nonrefundable, and no credit is given; these fees do not apply to classes through Yosemite/Monarch, Central Valley Regional Center, or Self Determination
Break the Barriers is a nonprofit corporation with a fully integrated gymnastics program where students of all abilities are trained together and grouped by age and gymnastics experience rather than ability level. Those who need more time or adaptive equipment receive the attention required to work on their skills, and a student may be transferred to a different class at the Director’s discretion. Staff are prepared to work with and teach children of all abilities in classes with other students, and the program integrates sports, performing arts, and educational classes so students learn together. The Barrier Breaker performing group shows inclusion through dance, gymnastics, martial arts, American Sign Language, stunts, and music. Break the Barriers has a strict code of ethics, a dress code, and a zero tolerance policy for events and programs that covers drugs, tobacco, alcohol, threats, bullying, fighting, and physical or verbal assault.
All classes are taught by accomplished gymnasts who are described as experts in teaching gymnastics technique, spotting, and building students’ self-esteem. Staff complete an ability awareness class with co-founder Deby Hergenrader, are familiarized with ASD, learn how to use PECs, a structured schedule, social stories, and the Timed Timer, and co-teach spectrum classes with a trained staff member. The dress code states that no tummies may show, leotards or biketards are suggested under shorts and shirts, no low-cut shirts in front or back, no spaghetti straps, tank tops must have at least a 1-inch shoulder strap, shorts must have at least a 6-inch inseam, no high-cut bottoms or short shorts, no gum, sweatpants are allowed in winter, students must be barefoot or in a gymnastics shoe, and long hair must be tied back. For registration, a Child Liability Waiver is required for students under 18 years and an Adult Liability Waiver for students 18 years and older if they have never attended before or have not attended within the last two years, and sometimes a doctor’s release is required for certain physical or medical conditions such as heart conditions, epilepsy, or bone and joint issues. In the Gymnastics Toddler & Me class, siblings who are not enrolled are not allowed on the floor, each enrolled child must have one adult ready to assist at all times, adults may help with most skills but any upside-down skill must be spotted by a coach, adults cannot go on equipment with their child, children must stay with the group, and one adult must be with each enrolled child.
The mission of Break the Barriers is “Celebrating awareness and victories of all abilities, ethnicities, and ages through exceptional programs, outreach, and inclusion education.” The outreach of the Barrier Breakers has been named “The National Role Model for Inclusion” by the U.S. Department of Education and has helped change government policies in other countries. Break the Barriers reports global impact that includes visits to 12 countries, 276 community partners, 152 schools and partners in education, 8 foreign government partnerships, service to more than 6,300 veterans and active-duty military, and impact on more than 300 million people worldwide. The organization participates in performances, assemblies, conferences, workshops, and clinics to promote integrated sports, health and fitness, performing arts, and education programs, and reports that over 10,000 individuals come through its doors weekly, including students from multiple school districts, inner-city outreach, and veterans.
Co-founder Deby Mullen Hergenrader is a former National Gymnastics Champion who competed internationally, reached the elite level, and was invited to serve on the National Special Olympics Gymnastics Committee. Co-founder Steve Hergenrader is a former professional baseball player who signed with the New York Yankees. In 1960 Deby’s sister Kathy was born, in 1972 Deby had an ankle injury in the Olympic Trials, and in 1975 Deby married Steve Hergenrader. In 1982 the Hergenraders created “Gymnastics by Deby,” in October 1984 Break the Barriers was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation, and in 1986 the Barrier Breaker team was formed. Effective June 2019, Steve and Deby passed the role of Chief Executive Officer to their oldest son, Jared Hergenrader. One gymnastics parent states, “Fidel gets so excited to go to Break the Barriers every week and it has really kept his spirits up during such a challenging year.”
Last updated June 20, 2026.
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