“Safety, quality, state of the art equipment, redefining the sport of gymnastics…that’s what AAI has been about for the past 60 years. As a coach, it’s a comforting feeling to walk into an arena and see AAI equipment. AAI always puts the safety of the athletes first, and puts them in the best position to succeed.”

Justin Howell
Head Coach, The University of California at Berkeley

“AAI has been the University of Utah’s gymnastics equipment supplier since 1976. Without exception, AAI has provided our program outstanding equipment and excellent customer service. We are proud to have shared over half of AAI’s 60 year history.”

Greg Marsden
Head Coach, University of Utah

“AAI equipment allows us to stay on the cutting edge of gymnastics training. AAI apparatus is the best!”

Brad Harris
Region 8 Junior Olympic Chairman, USA Gymnastics Owner of Tampa Bay Turners

“As the Women’s Program National Junior Olympic Committee Chair, I have the opportunity to work with many of the AAI representatives at state and regional levels both in the competitive venue and through clinics and workshops. Their commitment to supporting USA gymnastics is outstanding! I know that whenever I will be at an event where AAI is the equipment representative, I can rest assured the coaches and gymnasts will be provided for at the highest level. Thank you AAI for all you do for USA Gymnastics!”

Tom Koll
National Junior Olympic Committee Chair, USA Gymnastics Co-owner of Premier Gymnastics, Omaha, NE

“The University of Washington trains on AAI equipment because we compete at the highest level of collegiate competiton and need the equipment that is preferred by the collegiate community. We have a great relationship with our local AAI dealer who provides outstanding customer service.”

Mark Russo
Head Men's Gymnastics Coach, University of Washington

“The tremendous support I received from my home town and the hundreds and hundreds of people, businesses, partners, friends, and schoolmates made the AAI® brand not only possible but successful… I believe this is what AAI has always been about, and I’m proud and humbled in equal measure to be a part of it.”

Bill Sorenson
American Athletic, Inc. Founder

“AAI’s latest spotting block is an absolute homerun. As gym owners our equipment is a huge investment and we want to know we are getting durability and longevity with the products we purchase. The materials and design have shown this to be a very durable product that will be usable from now until the far future. The lightness of this product is what really separates it from the competition. While it is a traditional size it is only a fraction of the weight. Moving this mat around the gym is effortless. This is the only spotting block that we will have in our gym from here on forward. As gym owners we would strongly recommend this spotting block.”

Dave Marus & Jaycie Phelps
Owners/Head Coaches, Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center

“While coaching at the University of Illinois in 1965, Bill Sorenson, AAI’s founder and owner approached me with an offer to work as a summer salesperson. Since then, I’ve always been a bit of an ‘experiment’ at AAI, but my 49+ year association with the company has been an exciting ride to remember. Starting when the company was owned by this local Jefferson, Iowa businessman, I was part of AAI as the company grew. I was with AAI when the company was acquired multiple times and also most recently when it was purchased by Russell Brands, LLC and became associated with the Spalding® brand.”

Jamile (Jay) Ashmore
AAI International Sales Representative

“San Mateo Gymnastics has used AMF/AAI equipment since 1977. We train boys and girls at all JO levels and Elite. AAI has been our choice for equipment due to their superb standards that allow our gymnasts to train in a safe environment. AAI continually strives to make advances and bring us the best and latest in equipment. They are also quick with supplying parts when something breaks or wears out and they are easy to deal with. We also use an AAI equipment truck for the 4 large meets that we host each year in outside facilities, which includes one State Meet and one Boys Meet. Coaches attending our meets know the athletes will have 1st rate, well maintained equipment that is up to the latest standards. Congratulations on 60 years and thank you.”

Margaret Morrison
San Mateo Gymnastics

“We love our gym and the fact that we outfitted our club with 100% AAI equipment creates a very pleasing and professional facility. Our equipment has functioned as designed and never failed us. It is very low maintenance and we highly recommend purchasing AAI equipment and mats.”

Richard Gishi & Rod Maralit
Head Coach & Facility Director

“We have always used AAI gymnastics equipment. They continue to improve on what is already great equipment. But what has kept us going back is the customer service. They have been so helpful, it is like having another staff member working on keeping our gym up to date and highly functional.”

Thomas Glielmi
Head Coach Men's Gymnastics, Stanford University

“The gymnasts of the world have been the beneficiaries of AAI’s creativity and innovative efforts to always allow the athlete to dictate and control their destiny and the future of the sport… never allowing the equipment to prevent the sports future development. For this, everyone who participates in and enjoys the sport of gymnastics has benefitted from and has been graced from the contribution that AAI has made. Now more than 6 decades worth support and assistance to gymnastics, worldwide. For this, all of us involved in the sport of gymnastics are appreciative and most grateful.”

Mike Jacki
Former CEO, USA Gymnastics

“AAI is responsible for my current life and most of my truly cherished friends. One of my greatest memories is from 1985 when Mary Lou Retton’s agent approached me about needing a ride. I of course agreed, and soon Mary Lou and her agent came running out from the loading dock, jumped into the back of my beat-up Chevy van, and yelled “go go go”! I started driving and saw hundreds of fans chasing us on foot yelling for Mary Lou! I followed directions and didn’t stop as two police cars eventually fell into formation in front and behind me to provide an escort back to Mary Lou’s hotel. As they got out of the van and thanked me, Mary Lou handed me her warmup jacket and gave me one of her million dollar smiles. I’ll never forget it.”

Steve Cook
AAI National Sales Director

“One of my strongest memories of AAI was during Christmas of 1973. As a parting gift, Bill Sorenson went through the entire factory and office, giving each employee a handful of silver dollar coins. Bill even removed his suit jacket, laid on a dolly, and rolled under a trampoline loom to give one employee his gift. The other most memorable occasions involved supplying the equipment for the 1984 and 1996 Olympic Games. We spent an entire month at each event installing floor plates in the training and warm-up gyms, setting up the equipment, and supervising the training gyms and podium training — for over 12 hours every day. We all shared in the moment when the men won the 1984 Team Gold Medal and the women won the 1996 Team Gold Medal as crowning achievements for the hundreds of hours of hard work and sacrifice… we had done our part to enable the USA Olympic Teams to become Olympic Champions.”

Whitey Anson
AAI Sales Representative