January 2011
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YMCA has expanded fitness options Dorothy Bliskey | Special to The Reporter
The original YMCA was built on First Street in 1907. Its Christian-based mission has not changed, with the intent to help develop a healthy spirit, mind and body. The entire family — from toddler to Grandma and Grandpa — can benefit from fitness and fun at the new YMCA, 90 W. Second St. A just-completed $16 million expansion and remodeling of the YMCA has nearly doubled the amount of space, number of employees, members and offerings. Social areas link the fitness areas together, making it a user-friendly facility where families can gather to work out, socialize and attend classes with healthier living in mind. Options for getting physically fit in 2011 are plentiful at the Y. Just inside the new main entrance is the aquatic area featuring two swimming pools — a Lap Pool and adjacent Family Pool. The Lap Pool is filled with cooler, deeper water for swimming non-competitive laps. The Family Pool is a maze of sections for all ages such as the shallow toddler area with a kiddies’ slide, a two-lane lap swim area, a current channel that mimics a river flowing in one direction, water dump buckets, water basketball, and a larger “adultsize” water slide. A whirlpool and steam room complete the aquatic area. “The current channel can be a good water resistance workout when you walk against it,” said Greg Giles, executive director at the YMCA for the past eight years.
Workout center With four children of his own ranging from ages 2 to 17, Giles says the Y is his family’s workout center. “Our family gets to use the Y for a multiple range of ages,” he said. “I can be playing racquetball with my oldest son one minute and the next be in the toddler pool with my 2-year old.” Five locker rooms with private changing rooms, shower and bathroom areas are designated for girls, boys, women and men along with a family locker room where parents can assist small children. All five conveniently lead to the pool area. The main level also features two gymnasiums. The Community Gym is shared by the Boys and Girls Club, which is housed within the YMCA. The Family Gym offers a host of activities from pick-up basketball to afterschool dodgeball and kickball for kids. Basketball hoops in the Family Gym can be lowered for younger children.
There is a crossover of activities between children who are YMCA members and those who are Boys and Girls Club members. Each is entitled to participate in activities meant for either group. Two racquetball courts on the main level are busy. “They are more in demand than before,” Giles said.
studio and is used for classes such as step aerobics and body pump (a weight-lifting class set to music). The other fitness studio hosts a variety of instructor-led classes. The location in the heart of the city is central to the Y’s clientele, said Giles, adding that surrounding businesses also benefit. With more than 1,000 people a day visiting the Y, the facility brings a lot of people to the downtown,” he said. “We are thrilled to offer this wonderful facility to the community,” Giles said. “It really does belong to the community.”
A Child Watch drop-off area supervised by staff is available for members working out. Children ages 6 weeks to 8 years old are supervised by staff for $1 per hour for each child. “The parent needs to be present,” said Giles, noting that the Child Watch area leads to the adjoining Family Adventure Center for children ages 7-11 and offers a climbing structure, slide and TVs.
Social space Social space is evident just inside the main entrance to the Y where casual table settings invite guests to relax, read the newspaper, play a game of cribbage or enjoy a cup of coffee while they wait for family members or socialize. The Life Management Center, commonly called the workout center, can be found on the upper level of the Y and has doubled in size. With more than 10,000 square feet and 130 pieces of equipment, the area is bustling. Some equipment comes with individual televisions and connections for personal portable music devices. Cardiovascular equipment includes items like recumbent bikes, cross trainers, rowing machines and treadmills. Strength training equipment focuses on free weights, squat racks and bench weights. A stretching area completes the workout center. Fitness classes designed for active older adults, as well as a social calendar that includes an “Out to Lunch” option at local restaurants, are available for seniors who want the best of both worlds — to keep fit and socialize. Group fitness classes featuring yoga, zumba, kick-boxing, low-impact workouts and water aerobics help members become healthier no matter what their age. In the lowest level of the Y is a multipurpose room for workshops and seminars, along with two more fitness studios. One studio, formerly the old gym, is now transformed into the facility’s largest group exercise
Jared Magoline, in photo at top right, and Christian Casper, second from bottom, lift weights at the Fond du Lac YMCA. Mike Schibling and Brian Schleis, second from top, play basketball in the gym. Swimming is also a popular form of exercise at the Y. The Reporter photos by Patrick Flood and Justin Connaher
Most classes are included with a YMCA membership. Private swim lessons and the use of a personal trainer are some of the exceptions. Seniors 65 or older often can get their membership free or discounted by certain insurance plans. The Y is open Monday-Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on joining or upcoming classes go to www.fdlymca.org or visit the YMCA.