YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring
According to the American Heart Association, nearly 80 million adults have high blood pressure in this country. Less than half have it under control. The YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring program encourages participants to track their blood pressure at least once a week while making manageable lifestyle changes to lower their blood pressure. Participants meet with a Heart Healthy Ambassador to monitor their progress, ask questions, and learn about healthy changes they can make to their diet.
This 16-week program includes support from trained Heart Healthy Ambassadors, Nutrition Seminars, and other materials to make tracking your blood pressure easier.
Where: Williams YMCA of Avery County’s Blackburn Athletic Facility and Main Facility
When:
Monday Mornings: 8:15-9:15am at the Blackburn Athletic Facility
Monday Mornings: 10:00-11:00am in the YMCA Wellness Center
Wednesday Mornings: 9:30-10:00 at the Blackburn Athletic Facility
*Any businesses interested in having blood pressures taken for your employees, contact Erin Spear at [email protected] to set up a schedule
Who: Adults who have been diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and have not had a recent cardiac event in the past 6 months.
Cost: Offered at no cost upon registration. Blood Pressure Cuffs are available upon request for $25 per participant.
For more information, contact Erin Spear, Senior Program Director.
Moving Mountains With Parkinson’s
Total HealthWorks for Parkinson’s Program
Each class coordinates movement, flexibility, strength, balance, and cardio fitness designed specifically for those with Parkinson’s Disease. Group encouragement and support sets this program apart from standard workout routines. Taught by trained instructors, this program has helped participants delay the onset of signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
Where: The Healthy Living Room, Williams YMCA Main Facility
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays – 11:00am-12:00pm
Who: Anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease
Cost: No cost upon registration
Start Dates:
June 18th, 2024
September 10th, 2024
For more information, contact Erin Spear, Senior Program Director.
Pedaling For Parkinson’s ™
The Pedaling for Parkinson’s program is based on research indicating that forced exercise on a bicycle can reduce symptoms of Parkinson’s. In fact, participants who ride three days a week over eight weeks have shown improvement in their Parkinson ’s-related symptoms by as much as 35%.
Our program is offered on an indoor stationary spin bike with a trained instructor. This low-impact, introductory spin class is open to Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers.
Where: The Spin Room, Williams YMCA Main Facility
When: Wednesdays – 11:15 am-12:00pm
Who: Anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers
Cost: No cost upon registration
For more information, contact Deana Acklin, Program Instructor.
“The Delay the Disease program for Parkinson’s Patients.. simply great ….the inclusiveness of your program is more than I expected…..you have addressed both the physical and cognitive issues that we Parkinson patients face.”
Enhance®Fitness
A proven arthritis management program focused on fitness. Helping older adults become more active, energized, and empowered for independent living. The program focuses on cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance, which could help reduce the severity of arthritis symptoms in a group that is supportive and understanding – a vital part of anyone’s health and well-being. Enhance®Fitness has been nationally recognized by the CDC, Department of Health & Human Services, Department on Aging, and the National Council on Aging.
Where: Blackburn Athletic Facility – GYM B
When: Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Who: Anyone who has been diagnosed with arthritis or other mobility limitations
Cost: $40 for YMCA Members $60 for Non-YMCA Members
Start Dates:
April 29th, 2024
September 9th, 2024
For more information or to register, contact Chris Kennedy, EnhanceFitness Instructor.
“I wanted to express my appreciation to the Enhance Fitness program for giving back my confidence to participate and enjoy physical activity that has improved my posture, balance, and overall wellbeing.”
LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA
Helping adult cancer survivors improve their strength and physical fitness, diminish the severity of therapy side effects, and develop supportive relationships to improve their quality of life. This program creates a welcoming community in which survivors can reclaim their health and well-being at their own pace.
This small-group, 12-week evidence-based program contains two 90-minute sessions per week. Instructors are trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care. Recent research from the Yale Cancer Center and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Institute confirmed that LIVESTRONG at the YMCA participants experience improved fitness and quality of life and significant decreases in cancer-related fatigue.
Starting January 27, 2025!
Where: Healthy Living Room
When: Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Who: Adult Cancer Survivors. We consider someone a Survivor from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment, after treatment, and everything in between.
Cost: Offered at no cost upon registration, YMCA Membership included for the duration of the program
Start Dates:
January 27th, 2025
For more information or to register, contact Chris Kennedy, LIVESTRONG Instructor.
” I was skeptical of participating as I was very ill. With a little coaxing from Y staff I signed up. From day 1 till the last day, the program concentrated on my wellbeing. The Staff at the Y stepped up to fill the voids and the loss I suffered.”
Healthy Living Program Benefits
Participant Results from Pre and Post Program Assessments
Group Facilitated Programs
“When I realized that losing weight is not just numbers on a scale but instead it’s better blood values, more energy, losing inches off your waist, having a balanced diet, I realized I was healthy and happy. This was a turning point for me and my success because I was able to appreciate the small wins, the hidden gems of success. I have learned that standing on a scale doesn’t define your health but your determination to keep pushing when it isn’t a number you can read, is what will help you be healthy. Instead it’s a variety of things that add up to define your health and all of those things need to be addressed, not just your weight on a scale.”
YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program – Prevent T2
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program Prevent T2 helps adults reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by taking steps that will improve their overall health and well-being. Through group discussions facilitated by a trained Lifestyle Coach, participants work to lose weight and increase their physical activity over the course of 25, 60-minute sessions. Research by the National Institutes of Health has shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program Prevent T2 can reduce the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58%, and 71% in adults over the age of 60. The program meets the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) diabetes prevention recognition program standards.
Registration Now Open!
Where: Offered virtually through the Williams YMCA of Avery County
When: To be determined by participant availability
Who: Adults who have been diagnosed with Pre-diabetes or meet the qualification criteria
Cost: Offered at low or no cost upon registration
Start Dates:
TBD
For more information, contact Erin Spear, Senior Program Director.
YMCA’s Weight Loss Program
This class is for anyone who wants to lose weight through small lifestyle changes. Through group discussions and activities, participants set goals that fit their needs.
Registration is open!
Registration closes on March 19th.
Where: Williams YMCA Main Facility, Healthy Living Room with Virtual Options for health concerns or inclement weather.
When: Every Tuesday
Time: 5:30-6:30 pm
Who: Adults 18 years or older
Cost: $60 Members $80 Non-Members
Program Dates: March 5th – May 21st
For more information, contact Erin Spear, Senior Program Director, or Sheila Bauer, Community Outreach Director.
CONTACT US ABOUT HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS
