Family, Health, Sponsored

8 Reasons Why The Y Is Great For Families

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of YMCA of Delaware. All opinions are 100% mine.

8 Reasons Why The Y Is Great For Families

Let’s be real. As a parent, we all know all too well how busy life can get. We get so busy that it’s hard to find time for ourselves. Up until recently I always put myself on the back burner to take care of my family. Earlier this year I made it my goal to start taking better care of myself (aka self-care) — mentally, emotionally and physically. In order to give my best to others, I know I need to give some good to myself.

Thanks to my local Y, they have made this a reality. From the moment I walked through the door, I felt a change in me. That “Hey, this place could really work out for me in the long run” feeling. After taking a tour and actually experiencing what the Y has to offer, I’d like to share with you 8 reasons why I think the Y is great for families:

Mom Friendly

I have always wanted a place to workout at where I wouldn’t feel “left out”. At other places, I’d always feel like a shy, mousey little girl sitting in the corner with no one to talk to. Not at the Y! It’s a great feeling knowing that the Y is very mom-friendly. Believe it or not, moms are the Y’s primary audience. Yay! It’s a place to go to reduce stress, find ways to become in tune with your body, to boost confidence and even meet new mom friends.

They also offer FREE childcare (ages 6 months to 13 years) with membership. Yes, you read that right. FREE. So feel good knowing that whenever you are motivated to work out or want to attend a group/class, you already have the babysitter part covered with your membership. Plus, I’d feel more comfortable having my children in the same building as me anyway which makes it an even greater perk.

They do offer other childcare (K thru 6th) options such as:

  • Before/After Care
  • School Is Out Program
  • Summer Day Camps
  • Preschool Half Day
  • Preschool Full Day

Kid-Friendly

The Y makes sure that kids can get in on the fun too. They offer the Kidz Zone (ages 6 weeks to 12 years), youth programs, teen programs, a youth fitness center, youth sports and even the option to have your child’s birthday party at one of their locations. Let your children know that they have something to look forward to and that they won’t be bored.

To give you some specifics on what is offered for kids:

  • Instructional Classes: Swimming, dance, karate and more.
  • Youth Sports: Basketball, soccer, volleyball and more.

No Joiner Fee

Right now for the month of September, if you sign up at any of the YMCA of Delaware locations, they will wave your joiner fee which is a savings of up to $90. So if you’ve ever wanted to join, there is no better time than RIGHT NOW. Unsure about becoming a member? Schedule or ask for a tour. I did and it was a great experience. There was more to the Y than I originally thought and thanks to the tour, I knew where everything was located and also got some pretty good suggestions of what classes/options I should start out with.

If you are still unsure even after the tour, consider signing up for a 1 Day Guest Pass which will give you access to mostly everything. This is the best way for you to figure out if the Y has what you are specifically looking for.

Beginner Friendly

I will admit that when I first walked in, I was overwhelmed. Beings it was my first time ever visiting a Y, I was asked if I’d like a tour, which I gladly accepted. There was no way I would be able to walk around the entire building and know what was what. Thanks to my super awesome tour guide Katrina, she made sure to show me everything that would suit my families needs. Thanks to her, I was able to find where I wanted to go quickly during my second visit.

Aside from your average everyday walking, I haven’t exercised in a very long time. Because of this, I knew it was best to start in the gym area. One of my favorite pieces of equipment that I worked on during physical therapy years ago was the recumbent bike. So I immediately went to one of those and put in 5 miles worth. I was proud of myself. Another good no/low impact option is the treadmill where you can walk or even run at your own pace.

There is something here for everyone which I love.

Many Options To Choose From

There are over 100 classes that are offered such as: HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Spinning, Zumba, BodyPump, Tai Chi and more. Make sure to check out the schedule to see what days of the week and times these classes are offered.

In the Fitness Center, you will find: State of the Art Cardio Equipment which is switched out every 3 years, Strength Circuit, and Free Weights. The Y also offers free fitness consultations and access to personal trainers.

There is also a gymnasium, indoor pools, and even a sauna.

Swimming

With a family membership, you will have access to the pools all year round. So if you don’t have a pool at home and you want to take a dip during the summer, just head to your local Y. They also offer swim lessons for kids and adults. There are programs designed for seniors as well.

If you suffer from chronic pain as I do, consider using the therapeutic pool. My local Y has one, so be sure to check if yours does too.

Financial Assistance

If you feel like you may not be able to afford a membership for yourself or your family, don’t fret. The YMCA offers an Open Doors Financial program. They are a not for profit health and human services organization committed to helping people grow in spirit, mind, and body. The YMCA is here to serve people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and incomes. The Y is community-based and efforts are made to make its programs and services available to everyone.

Sense of Community

You don’t find a sense of community really at your typical gym. You walk in one of those and immediately feel judged by everyone around you. With the Y, it’s a whole different feeling and experience. When I walked in, I was welcomed with a warm smile and open arms. The process of getting a tour started and using a guest pass went smoothly.

If you are a nervous person like me, don’t be. Everyone else who is there is most likely there for the same reasons as you: to get into better shape, work on overall health and to feel better in general. Some people even go there to be social and find new friends.

The Y is a close-knit community where EVERYONE is welcome.

 

So there you have it. I could come up with many more reasons why you and your family should join the Y, but these are the top ones that came to mind first. If you are still on the fence after reading this, from one mom to another, I say do it. Join. Take one day out for yourself to get your mind, body, and self back on track. Just one day, Mama. That is all I ask. Don’t do it for me. Don’t do it for your kids. Do it for yourself. Your future self will thank you. 🙂

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