Now entering its fifth year, the Connect All Stars gym is just rounding into form.

The gym, which is best known as a training ground for cheerleaders and dancers but also offers a variety of fitness classes, has grown to 70 participating members (ranging in age from 4-18) representing at least 20 schools throughout the area. Its senior co-ed cheer team has continually dominated local and national competitions.

Perhaps the biggest reason for Connect’s success: the tight bonds it fosters between people.

“It’s not just a great cheer team, but a group of friends and family that you can come to whenever you want,” said Lizzie Sadler, a Lake Washington High School cheerleader. “The gym is always open and I always look forward to coming to practice.”

The Bellevue gym has attracted not only a number of Lake Washington and Juanita cheerleaders, but many other Kirkland students.

Ariana Gonzalez, a student at Lakeview Elementary, suggested its a place for anyone (student-aged) interested in “working hard and giving it all they’ve got.”

The gym was opened in 2003 by former Seattle SuperSonics dancer Amanda Daugherty and former University of Washington stunt team member Mateo Salado. Connect director and coach Kristen Couch has a long list of coaching successes and currently coaches cheerleading at Eastlake High School.

“It’s just a passion,” Couch said about coaching at Connect. “This is what I love. This is what I want to do more than anything.”

Connect offers cheer teams for everyone aged 5-18 and a special open gym for members 18 and older. Couch said Connect is the only gym in the state to offer an open gym in that form.

As for the future of Connect, Couch wants to keep growing and be recognized on a national level. “Each year we’re going to bigger and bigger competitions,” she said.

For more information on Connect All Stars, go to www.connectallstars.com.