ALL ABOUT THE FLIP SIDE

The Flip Side was founded in October of 2024. The Flip Side is a non-competitive studio. More than just learning gaining skills, The Flip Side is for athletes that want to learn solid fundamentals, improve their technique, learn new Acro tricks, or work through performance anxiety. Athletes from several outside competitive cheer teams, competitive dance programs, and local school cheer and dance teams flip at The Flip Side. It’s never too late to learn the love and discipline of flipping!

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Meet Coach Kiersten

Kiersten Kelley was born and raised in Pierce City, Missouri where she was a competitive gymnast and dancer. She trained and competed up to level 8 at Monett and Cassville Gymnastics. She practiced ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and pointe at Mary Beck School of Dance for 11 years. She competed on her high school dance team at UDA National Dance Team Championships. She started coaching tumbling in high school, before moving to Fayetteville in 2013 for college. She earned her Bachelor of Science from University of Arkansas, where she studied Sport & Exercise Psychology. Kiersten coached tumbling and competitive cheer for The Pride of Arkansas Cheer and Dance Academy in Fayetteville for over 8 years. Coaching over 100 private lessons each month Kiersten decided to step away from competitive cheer or dance programs and put all her focus into working with athletes specifically on tumbling and acro. Working with ages 3-30+, Kiersten has coached hundreds of kids and adults throughout NWA. Kiersten is also an avid learner of sport & exercise psychology and loves implementing that knowledge within her coaching to help athletes understand the mental aspect of tumbling. In her time outside the studio, she loves spending time with her family, her two adopted pit-pups Sosa & Queso, working out, and cooking healthy meals.

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Leave Coach Kiersten a Review

Meet Coach Ally

Ally Fugate began cheerleading in 7th grade and learned tumbling from Coach Kiersten for five years before heading off to college to continue her cheer career. As both a tumbler and flyer at Providence Academy, Ally earned All-American and All-State honors, and served as a team captain her senior year. In fall 2025, she continue her cheer journey at Ouachita Baptist University.

Summer 2025 was her first season as a coach. Ally loves helping young athletes build strong fundamentals and grow in confidence, from forward rolls to walkovers and beyond. She thankful to coach alongside the same mentor who helped shape her own cheer career. Her biggest goal is to help kids fall in love with their sports and leave each lesson and class feeling proud of what they’ve learned through tumbling!

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Local Recognition

2025 Voted #1 Gymnastic / Cheer Center in Northwest Arkansas

Less than 2 years in business and The Flip Side was voted the BEST gymnastic/cheer center in NWA. By finishing first, we also received a enhanced spot for studio in the Best of Northwest Arkansas Magazine.

2024 Voted #2 Gymnastic / Cheer Center in Northwest Arkansas

After only six months in operation, The Flip Side was voted by the public as one of the best places to learn tumbling skills in Northwest Arkansas. As a first-time candidate, we were shocked and humbled to finish as the 2024 Silver Winner in the annual polling for “The Best of Northwest Arkansas”.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone that has voted for us.
We are grateful to have the amazing support of our athletes and parents!

Community Connections

  • Visiting coach at the Camp Tumble Smart in Tulsa, August 2024

  • Lesson donations to local school fundraisers, December 2024

  • Guest tryout judge for a local team, April 2025

  • “Cans for Handstands” Food Drive, November 2025

Giving back in small ways can make a huge difference for others!

Parent & Athlete Testimonials

  • "The Flip Side is wonderful! Kiersten is talented and passionate and encouraging!"

    Jenna R. 2026

  • "Such an amazing program filled with patience, support, and phenomenal coaching!"

    Charrisce C. 2026

  • "Participating in the pop up class at Flipside was amazing. Hands on training, excellent positive coaching that helps instill confidence and nothing but great encouragement. Can’t wait to attend more classes."

    Denise D. 2026

  • "The Flipside is a wonderful place for athletes to grow and develop their acro skills! Coach K knows how to scaffold and build foundational skills all while encouraging and challenging her students. We’ve had a great experience. Highly recommend!"

    Angela. C. 2026

  • "The Flip Side is so unique in the world of acro. Kiersten has a way of teaching that encourages athletes to understand the fundamentals of the skills they are trying to achieve. She builds trust with her students, they know she is not going to push them into something they are not ready for. Yet, she encourages them to try new things with her right by their side. I have never seen her shame a student or show disappointment when understanding a skill takes a long time. She is so patient and meets each student where they are. Zero comparisons. The first cartwheel gets the same excitement as an advanced skill. We feel beyond blessed to be a part of the Flip Side family and love watching Kiersten continue to share her gift for coaching through her business."

    Jaime H. 2026

  • "Kiersten has truly transformed my daughter’s confidence with all of her acro skills! She is patient and very knowledgeable when it comes to teaching them. Her technique is spot on!!"

    Bethany R. 2026

  • "Flip Side Tumbling Studio is absolutely amazing, and Coach K is truly one of a kind. She not only helps kids grow in their tumbling skills, but also focuses on building confidence, character, and kindness. You can tell she genuinely cares about each child and meets them where they’re at — encouraging progress while keeping things fun and positive. My child has grown so much under her coaching, not just as an athlete but as a person. Coach K is a role model and a gift to our community. We’re so thankful for her and this studio"

    Ashley D. 2025

  • "If your kid is wanting to feel confident in tumbling for sports or just for the love of movement, I recommend The Flip Side. The Flip Side is such a blessing since focused not just on movement but on mindset. Kid loves it and as a parent I know my kid is well taken care of from mind and body. In sports so much pressure is put on kids and this place pressure is left at the door for growth and fun. Most of all I know my kid is growing in activity loves in a safe way without putting in harm for the sake of a skill. Each kid is unique and that’s the focus."

    Katie M. 2025

  • "Kiersten is incredible! She has such a talent for communicating with young athletes in a way that clicks for them so well! Our daughter has the most productive tumbling lessons with her over any other tumbling coach we’ve been to! Thanks, Kiersten! Olivia adores you!"

    Nathalia C. 2025

  • "Coach Kiersten is experienced and awesome! Positive environment where you can really grow in skills! Highly recommend!"

    McKenzi W. 2025

  • "We absolutely love Kiersten and The Flip Side Tumbling Studio! Kiersten is not only incredibly talented and knowledgeable, but she’s also so much fun and incredibly kind. She strikes the perfect balance of challenging my daughter while creating a supportive and positive environment. My daughter’s tumbling skills and confidence have improved tremendously since working with Kiersten. The difference in her abilities and self-assurance is remarkable, and we are so grateful for the time and energy Kiersten pours into her students. I cannot recommend The Flip Side enough—Kiersten has truly been a game-changer for our family!"

    Amber B. 2025

  • "I can’t say enough good things about Kiersten! She is so skilled, patient, and passionate about helping each child be successful in accomplishing their tumbling skills. She is positive and welcoming, making it a fun and encouraging environment while making thoughtful corrections during each lesson. My daughter loves seeing her and has progressed so much since starting lessons with Kiersten. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to advance their tumbling skills!"

    Julie B. 2025

  • "Coach Kiersten is an amazing coach! She’s patient, encouraging, and explains everything clearly so I know exactly what to work on. Her creative drills help me understand all the details of tumbling. Over the past 3+ years, I’ve learned so much, improved, and gained many new skills. I’m so glad I found Coach Kiersten and get to work with her!"

    Ally F. 2024

  • "My daughter has been coached by Kiersten for 3 years. I cannot sing her praises enough! Try her out and I promise you won’t regret it. She knows what she is doing and how to reach her athletes’ needs."

    Alissa B. 2024

  • "Kiersten is the best of the best!! She knows exactly what to focus on to improve skills or teach new skills. She is so patient with my girls and she has so much passion for what she does. I am constantly amazed at how much my girls learn in just one lesson!!"

    Kendra G. 2024

  • "Coach Kiersten is an incredible coach, both in knowledge and rapport with athletes. She invests in proper teaching of skills and builds confidence in each person she works with. I am so thankful for her investment in my girls."

    Savannah C. 2024

  • "We love flip side and are so glad we Found them! Kiersten is amazing at teaching the correct technique to build on. She is encouraging and patient and my daughter loves to go to tumbling. We feel important and cared for as opposed to feeling like just a number in a larger gym."

    Cara C. 2024

  • "Coach Kiersten was fantastic! My daughter left feeling confident and excited for the next lesson!"

    Katelyn B. 2024

  • "Kiersten is truly the best! She is incredibly kind and encouraging with her students. She’s able to clearly explain each technique and step so that her students understand exactly what to do and how to improve. She has creative exercises and drills to help her students understand all the different details involved with tumbling. Can’t say enough great things about her! ❤️"

    Mikki D. 2024

  • "the best coach in arkansas!!!"

    Olivia A. 2024