About
Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy offers preschool gymnastics, gymnastics, tumbling, cheer and pom, competitive and recreational teams, and the USA Ninja Challenge obstacle course program. The program also hosts birthday parties, private party events, and a summer camp. USA Ninja Challenge is described as a full fitness program for youth based on the show American Ninja Warrior and includes an obstacle course program that incorporates basic skill sets from gymnastics, climbing, cross training, and track and field for boys and girls ages 5 to 17.
• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Schedule: Hours Monday–Friday 9:00am–12:00pm and 2:00pm–7:00pm, and Saturday 9:00am–12:00pm, with flexible hours for private events
Legacy Gymnastics originated in 1985 as Grand Junction Gymnastics Academy with a staff of 5 in a 5,000 square foot building and fewer than 90 students, and enrollment grew to over 300 students within the first year. In June 1987 the program moved into a 12,000 square foot building and enrollment soon topped 500 members, and in 1995–1996 a dance studio, climbing gym, indoor soft playground, and private party rooms were added. In January 1999 a 31,500 square foot KidzPlex facility was designed and constructed, the program continued to grow over the next 18 years, the KidzPlex facility was sold in 2018 to School District 51, and in 2019 the academy moved into the Allen Unique Autos building and rebranded into Legacy Academy. Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy (formerly Grand Junction Gymnastics at KidzPlex) has won individual and/or team state gymnastics championships every year since 1986.
The academy states its mission as “Making kids fit for the future” and believes that gymnastics develops flexibility, strength, poise, agility, and coordination, and nurtures confidence, self-discipline, goal setting, and dedication. The primary objective stated by the academy is to develop the whole person with care by giving attention to each child regardless of natural physical ability or competitive motivation, and it identifies success in gymnastics competition as an important by-product and goal. Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy states that it nurtures the whole child by developing physical qualities such as flexibility, strength, poise, agility, and coordination as well as social skills including confidence, self-discipline, goal-setting, and dedication.
Qualified, caring instructors at Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy are all certified in the academy’s specialized training program. The leadership team includes Brian as owner and coach and co-founder Harlan Bensley, and Legacy Academy is dedicated to Kerri’s parents, Sharon and Larry Vaughn, and Brian’s parents, Harlan and Alice Bensley.
Legacy Academy is rated a 5-Star Facility by the Mesa County Health Department. In 2002 KidzPlex (now Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy) received the “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” award sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center, and the Mesa State College Business Department. Co-founder Harlan Bensley was selected as one of the first inductees into the Colorado Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 for his lifetime contributions and influence in the sport of gymnastics.
Legacy Academy owners and board of directors state that they are Christians and that Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy is the Lord’s and they are only stewards of it. Legacy Academy is dedicated in part to Sharon Vaughn, who was a member of Kiwanis, hosted Young Life events, and started the Shoes That Fit program to purchase new clothes and shoes for kids in need, and the academy gives thanks to Tammy and Misty Allen for helping provide the facility (once known as Allen Unique Autos) to train gymnastics and ninja fitness to children of the Grand Valley.
Parent testimonials describe long-term participation in gymnastics and summer camp, positive experiences with staff and coaches, and children progressing in skills and confidence. Parents specifically mention Brian’s communication with team parents, invite-only skills classes, and coaches such as Ms. Kayla and Mrs. Whitney being patient and making classes fun. Multiple testimonials state that their children love their classes, that staff are friendly and helpful, and that families would recommend Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy to others.
Last updated June 4, 2026.
• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Schedule: Hours Monday–Friday 9:00am–12:00pm and 2:00pm–7:00pm, and Saturday 9:00am–12:00pm, with flexible hours for private events
Legacy Gymnastics originated in 1985 as Grand Junction Gymnastics Academy with a staff of 5 in a 5,000 square foot building and fewer than 90 students, and enrollment grew to over 300 students within the first year. In June 1987 the program moved into a 12,000 square foot building and enrollment soon topped 500 members, and in 1995–1996 a dance studio, climbing gym, indoor soft playground, and private party rooms were added. In January 1999 a 31,500 square foot KidzPlex facility was designed and constructed, the program continued to grow over the next 18 years, the KidzPlex facility was sold in 2018 to School District 51, and in 2019 the academy moved into the Allen Unique Autos building and rebranded into Legacy Academy. Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy (formerly Grand Junction Gymnastics at KidzPlex) has won individual and/or team state gymnastics championships every year since 1986.
The academy states its mission as “Making kids fit for the future” and believes that gymnastics develops flexibility, strength, poise, agility, and coordination, and nurtures confidence, self-discipline, goal setting, and dedication. The primary objective stated by the academy is to develop the whole person with care by giving attention to each child regardless of natural physical ability or competitive motivation, and it identifies success in gymnastics competition as an important by-product and goal. Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy states that it nurtures the whole child by developing physical qualities such as flexibility, strength, poise, agility, and coordination as well as social skills including confidence, self-discipline, goal-setting, and dedication.
Qualified, caring instructors at Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy are all certified in the academy’s specialized training program. The leadership team includes Brian as owner and coach and co-founder Harlan Bensley, and Legacy Academy is dedicated to Kerri’s parents, Sharon and Larry Vaughn, and Brian’s parents, Harlan and Alice Bensley.
Legacy Academy is rated a 5-Star Facility by the Mesa County Health Department. In 2002 KidzPlex (now Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy) received the “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” award sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center, and the Mesa State College Business Department. Co-founder Harlan Bensley was selected as one of the first inductees into the Colorado Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997 for his lifetime contributions and influence in the sport of gymnastics.
Legacy Academy owners and board of directors state that they are Christians and that Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy is the Lord’s and they are only stewards of it. Legacy Academy is dedicated in part to Sharon Vaughn, who was a member of Kiwanis, hosted Young Life events, and started the Shoes That Fit program to purchase new clothes and shoes for kids in need, and the academy gives thanks to Tammy and Misty Allen for helping provide the facility (once known as Allen Unique Autos) to train gymnastics and ninja fitness to children of the Grand Valley.
Parent testimonials describe long-term participation in gymnastics and summer camp, positive experiences with staff and coaches, and children progressing in skills and confidence. Parents specifically mention Brian’s communication with team parents, invite-only skills classes, and coaches such as Ms. Kayla and Mrs. Whitney being patient and making classes fun. Multiple testimonials state that their children love their classes, that staff are friendly and helpful, and that families would recommend Legacy Gymnastics & Ninja Academy to others.
Last updated June 4, 2026.
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