YMCA - Staying healthy this winter

Looking to get in shape for the holiday season? With the New Year right around the corner, you may be weighing the possibility of finally following through with this year's resolution.

Whether you'd like to lose a few pounds in the weight room, join a recreational sports team, or even sign up for dance classes, the West Avenue Branch YMCA located at 290 West Avenue in Saratoga Springs may be your answer.

"Our goal is always looking at how we can create a healthier community," Jim Letts, CEO for the West Avenue Branch YMCA, said. 

Currently 14,500 members strong, the West Avenue Branch, soon to be named the Saratoga Springs Branch on Jan. 1, offers a wide array of programs for adults and children alike to get into shape and stay healthy.

One of the largest programs run by the YMCA is known as Activate America, a multifaceted, nationwide effort to deal with America's rising health crisis. According to their website, Activate America looks to "support healthy lifestyles by reaching out and engaging all those who seek well being of spirit, mind and body. We will create and sustain healthier communities by actively participating in our communities...to influence decisions that impact health."

"People are coming to the YMCA from all walks of life as health seekers," Letts said of Activate America. "It's all about listening to our members and meeting their varied needs."

The YMCA in Saratoga has many different programs for members to take advantage of during these winter months. For adults interested in getting involved with a recreational sports team, the YMCA runs a basketball league, volleyball games, and tennis matches. Teams vary in skills and age groups, so don't be afraid to head on out to the court, even if you feel your game may be a little rusty.

For adults less interested in team sports, the YMCA hosts many different wellness classes, ranging from cardio and strength-focused workouts, mind and body classes, dance classes and combo classes to help you get fit and stay in shape.

The YMCA also runs several programs to help young kids develop and maintain healthy habits. For kids as old as 3 years old, Play and Splash classes offer children a chance to use the indoor pool where they learn some of the basics for swimming at an early age. A program for toddlers called Roc-N-Tots focuses on encouraging dance, singing, and even marching in a group setting designed to stimulate your child's imagination and get them moving. For kids a bit older, the West Avenue YMCA offers a Twinkle Toes Ballet class where children between ages 4 and 6 will be introduced to the basics of dance, currently taught by Dance Majors from Skidmore College.   

"For kids 10, 11, and 12 we have a youth fitness certification course that teaches kids how to use the exercise equipment safely and properly," Letts said.

Once they've been instructed on the proper usage of the gym equipment, the kids are allowed to use the gym to exercise and stay fit.

Looking for something fun for the whole family? The Groovin' Fusion program is open to all ages, and combines aerobic exercises with dancing and drumming that promises to energize anyone who joins.

Membership for youth and teens starts at $13 and $15 a month, respectively, college students at $22 a month, and adults at $41 a month at the West Avenue Branch. Seniors get a discounted rate of $32 a month, and a special package for families starts at $66 a month.

"Healthy habits begin at a young age and stay with you through adulthood," Letts said. So don't put off that New Year's resolution any longer. Check out your local YMCA for details on programs and pricing, or visit their website at www.YMCA.org.