Aging Together

The Y is an organization that has positioned itself as one of the leading community-based networks committed to improving the nation’s health and well-being.

Here we bring our community adult programming that creates opportunities for ALL people to achieve health, gain confidence, make connections and feel secure at every stage of life. In addition to the well-documented physical benefits of exercise, we also believe that building social relationships and a sense of community are key aspects of whole-person wellness.

The YMCA brings Marion and Polk counties a wide range of age-appropriate health, wellness, and chronic disease self-management classes that are proven to be safe and effective in benefiting all aspects of health. BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT FOR ALL.

Programs

Livestrong® at the YMCA

Cancer is a life-changing disease that takes a tremendous physical and emotional toll on those affected. The Y and the LIVESTRONG® Foundation have joined together to create LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, an evidence-based physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors reclaim their total health.
Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to safely achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength, increasing flexibility and endurance, and improving confidence and self-esteem. By focusing on the whole person and not the disease, LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is helping people move beyond cancer in spirit, mind and body.

Pedaling for Parkinson’s™

Riding an indoor, stationary bicycle has been shown to reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms by as much as 35%! And, it's something almost anyone with PD can do at a Pedaling for Parkinson's class. Participants ride for 1 hour - a 10-minute warm-up at 60 RPM, followed by 40 minutes at 80 to 90 RPM, and a 10-minute cooldown.

EnhanceFitness®

There's no doubt about it.
Enhance®Fitness gets you moving.
And because you're encouraged to move at your own pace, it's never more than you can handle. In fact, we'll meet you
where you are and help you gain strength, flexibility, and balance. EnhanceFitness® is geared toward older adults, and those with a chronic condition, such as arthritis, need not worry; you'll never have to do anything that hurts. We have seated and standing options and use chairs for support if necessary. When you're ready you can add soft ankle and wrist weights to your workout for added resistance.

What you can expect:

Classes meet three times per week for 60-minutes each.
Some people will be standing, some will be seated—and some will use the chairs to hold onto for support.
You’ll notice that participants move at a pace that’s comfortable for them.
The class focuses on strength, flexibility, movement, and balance.
You’ll make friends who will support you and cheer you on.

Here are some of the changes our participants have noticed in their bodies and minds:

More energy
Better balance
Increases in the upper body and lower body strength
More flexibility and range of motion
Better sleep
More feelings of happiness

Yoga

Rejuvenate, strengthen, and heal your body. Gentle yoga class is held at a slower pace and focuses on stretching all areas of the body while releasing stress and tension from joints and muscles.

Wellness Class Schedule

Aquacise by Water in Motion® Platinum

WATERinMOTION® Platinum addresses the specific needs of the 65+age group and/or deconditioned individuals looking for a fun, social, and safe environment to workout and get healthy. WATERinMOTION® Platinum uses slower beats and longer repetitions set to recognizable music that is easy to memorize and enjoyable to sing along to.

Since most exercise programs are not designed to address the specific needs of those 65 years and older WATERinMOTION® Platinum was created. Please find a full class description HERE

Tai Chi-Moving for Better Bones and Balance

Tai Chi for Seniors: Improve Your Physical and Mental Health With This Gentle Modified Form of Exercise

Are you looking to reduce stress while improving your balance and core strength? Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance involves low-impact movements for seniors — even those with limited movement. You can even participate from a chair.

Tai Chi is a research-based effective exercise for seniors that can lower blood pressure, improve balance and promote a general sense of well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and national health agencies, Tai Chi when practiced regularly reduces the risk of falling by 55 percent.

Those who want a whole-body exercise may find Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance to be the answer they have been looking for.

Diabetes Prevention Program

Measurable Progress, Unlimited Support!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 84 million people had prediabetes in 2015. People with diabetes are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than tripled as the US population has aged and become more overweight. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based program that helps overweight adults at risk for type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and losing a modest amount of weight. This program provides a supportive environment where participants work together to achieve the following goals:

•Reduction in individual body weight by 7%

•Increase in moderate physical activity (the equivalent of brisk walking) to 150 minutes per week