TRY THE Y: FIND YOUR INNER STRENGTH THIS SPRING
A HEALTH AND FITNESS MEMBERSHIP AT THE YMCA PROVIDES SO MANY GREAT WAYS FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY TO STAY HEALTHY, ACTIVE, AND CONNECTED!
The an organization YMCA has that a long-standing helps everyone reputation improve as their physical, mental, and social well-being. Today, with COVID-driven lockdowns — and inactivity — hopefully behind us, there’s never been a more important time to sign up for a Health and Fitness membership at the Y. Every YMCA centre throughout the Greater Toronto Area provides facilities, programming, and of activities. support for Do participating you like to use in cardio a wide equipment range and strength training machines and weights? Are fitness classes online or in person your thing? Is it time to get your kids back in swimming or karate lessons? Why not try your hand at table tennis, squash or pickleball, running on the indoor track or working with a personal trainer? While all these options are available, it’s important to know that at this time there is no initiation fee for the Y and you can choose to join on a month-to-month basis. Here are 15 reasons why a membership at the Y can kick-start good health habits for the whole family and also bring a bit of fun into everyone’s lives again. 1. AMAZING FACILITIES: Wouldn’t it be nice to work out in a professional studio again … and not have to move furniture in your living room? A YMCA membership provides members with unlimited access to group fitness classes, stateof-the-art conditioning rooms and equipment, swimming pools, tracks, drop-in rec sports and more. Rest assured, the Y is up to date with COVID-19 protocols. Classes are held in spaces that allow for distancing, equipment is comfortably spaced apart, and while there are no mask requirements, anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. 2. CONVENIENCE: There are 10 YMCA health and fitness centres throughout the Greater Toronto Area, which means fitness opportunities are closer than you think. A membership provides access to any of the centres. 3. HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Finding an activity you enjoy is key to sticking with it — and the Y provides both selection and programming. Regular control physical exercise and weight activities diseases, can and help are improve improve fight fun certain and energy sleep. provide health Best and conditions mood, of social all, time 4. MOTIVATION: with family If and you’re friends. feeling demotivated, you’re not alone. Research shows most people do best with fitness goals when they’re part of a community … whether that’s a fitness class, the gym itself, or a group you go have coffee with after a game. Being part of the YMCA is motivating on so many levels. 5. classes GROUP are Classes and FITNESS all about Bootcamp range OPTIONS: positively from The circuit BodyFit Y’s motivating training certified conditioning to instructors members. CycleFit classes endurance with barbells stationary and a fun biking, dance MuscleFit class like YMCA Arriba that blends Latin, Bollywood, and belly dance moves. There are yoga classes too and YMCA TotalFit, which combines cardio, strength work and core exercises. 6. VIRTUAL PROGRAMS: Members who still prefer to work out at home can do that too. The Y provides an easy-to-access virtual fitness program called the Virtual Y. They deliver a variety of online fitness classes every month... so you can take a class anywhere. They even include prerecorded workouts from the YMCA and ParticipACTION. 7. RECREATIONAL SPORTS: Some people prefer to be active through sports such as basketball, badminton and pickleball — and the Y provides lots of options. Team sports build connection, community and are a great way to stay active while developing your skills. 8. CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS: There are lots of special kids’ programs such as basketball, soccer, martial arts, swimming, and the junior lifeguard club. These programs require registration and give children up to age 18 a way to stay active, improve their skills, enrich their learning — and have fun. Those signed up for a family membership get a reduced family rate. 9. PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS: For older adults who belong to the Y, there is a wide range of virtual and live classes geared to their specific fitness and health needs and interests. 10. PERSONAL TRAINING: Working with a personal trainer at the Y is a great way to get back to a regular fitness routine. A trainer’s job is to create a personalized program around the member’s fitness goals, health condition and fitness level. If you don’t want to meet in person, you can do personal training sessions online. 11. AQUATICS: Aquatics programs build endurance, strength, and cardiovascular health. The Y has been offering aquatics programming and swimming lessons throughout it’s history. From recreational swim to small group lessons, family swim and AquaFit, there’s a range of fun aquatics programs. There are life-saving courses and swim lessons too. 12. CONDITIONING: The workout rooms at the Y provide a lot of tools to support fitness goals, including state-of-the-art equipment, helpful staff, and an inclusive environment. Choose from cardio equipment, strength training machines, weights, the track and more. 13. CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION: It is nice to know that the YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that helps people at all ages and stages reach their potential. There are more than 400 locations that include child care, camps and outdoor education, employment services and immigrant settlement services. There are also youth programs such as emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness, a middle and high school for students who learn differently, and youth leadership development programs. 14. COMMUNITY: The Y has always put an emphasis on helping everyone realize their potential, regardless of ability to pay, and the charity strives to welcome everyone regardless of their circumstances in life. 15. FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP: Membership is on a month-by-month basis, and there’s no contract so you can cancel at any time (really!). For a limited time, there is a free seven-day pass available for individuals and families. Visit TryTheY.ca for more information and to sign up for a free seven-day pass.