Click here for the YMCA of Greater Erie 2010 Program Guide

Family

Birthday Parties
Looking for something different for your child’s next birthday party? Have a “Y” Birthday Party!

Y Family Fun Nights
Spend some quality family time playing games and having fun. Check for family events at your local YMCA front desk.

Swim Lessons

These classes are participant centered and use problem solving and guided discovery teaching approach. Each program is divided into five components: personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports, games and rescue.

Parent/Child
Promotes water enrichment and aquatic readiness activities for children from six months up to three years of age. Classes held with their parents or other trusted adults.

Preschool
Teaches water adjustment and basic swimming skills for children from three to five years of age. Classes held without parents

Youth
builds a good foundation of basic aquatic skills to develop a lifelong appreciation for aquatic activities. Developmentally appropriate activities to ensure the student’s safety, enhance the student’s enjoyment and provide consistent progressive success for the child. Ages 6 to 12 years.

Teen
Offered for the beginner through advanced levels using YMCA of USA’s five basic components of swim lessons. Ages 13-15 years.

Aquatics

YMCA Aquatic Safety Assistance (YASA)
This certification course is designed to prepare participants with the skills and knowledge needed to recognize aquatic risks and assist a lifeguard in the emergency response of an accident or injury. Minimum age: 14 years and must be able to swim 100 yards and tread water 2 minutes, legs only.

Y Lifeguard Course
This certification course is designed to give participants basic skills and knowledge to be a lifeguard in the pool, lake, river, surf and waterparks. This comprehensive course offers up-to-date information on how to guard, anticipate and prevent problems and take action to help those in danger. Participants must be 16 years old before the completion of the course.

YMCA Swim Lesson Instructor Course
This certification course gives new instructors the basics for teaching swim lessons that are student centered, value oriented, safe and effective. Participants must be 16 years old at the time of registration.

Water Fitness

Water Fitness
A great way to exercise no matter what fitness level (from the very fit to the frail individual). Variety of classes targeting cardio respiratory fitness, muscular strength/endurance and flexibility. Check your local branch for listing of classes and water depths (shallow and/ or deep water).

Y Water Fitness For Older Adults
Shallow water exercise class that focuses on strength/endurance activities, balance work and target ADLs (activities of daily living).

Arthritis Foundation Y Aquatics Program
Exercise class geared toward those participants that have arthritis with physical limitations. Focus is on range of motion, strengthening, conditioning and endurance.

Health & Well-Being

Orientation To The Fitness Center and Available Programs
YMCA staff will demonstrate proper use of the cardiovascular and strength-training equipment, orientate you to the free weight room and/or group exercise classes.

Group Fitness Classes
There is something for every “body” at the YMCA. From cardio to resistance training to mind/body classes are available to meet every interest and level: Water Fitness, Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Strength & Tone Classes, Y Pump, Kick Boxing, Rep Reebok, Step, Low Impact, Silver Sneakers, and X-Biking. Schedule available at the front desk of your YMCA.

Boot Camp
An intense military style workout. 60 minutes of grueling instruction on abdominal and calisthenics work. Plus stair runs, “dock” runs, track running with sprints and intervals of pull ups and dips. Class ends with strength training focused on the upper body.

Group Cycling
An indoor group cycling class with spirited instruction and music! Designed for all fitness levels. Reach your goals and enjoy the ride with a group while working at your own pace and intensity level. A challenge for the body-a ride for the mind!

Beginner Level Fitness Class
Designed for the person interested in learning the basics of yoga, pilates, step aerobics and low impact.

Basic & Brief
A beginner circuit workout designed especially for women in our new comfort zone. Class meets twice a week for 9 weeks.

Polar BodyAge Fitness Assessments
A fitness assessment that compares your chronological age to your BodyAge. It will tell you where you are today and your obtainable BodyAge. Your YMCA trainer will work with you to develop a program to build a healthier your. YMCA Members Only.

Zumba
Zumba is a dynamic, energetic class combining dance with fitness. The music is inspired by international rhythms.

Highmark Community Courses

Personal Nutrition Coaching
Personal Nutrition Coaching by a registered dietitian and/or licensed nutritionist is available for individuals seeking nutrition counseling specifically related to weight management, heart health and diabetes. When the clinician designs a nutrition plan to address the specific needs of the individual, he or she will also recommend enrollment in either a class or web-based program.

Discover Relaxation Within I and II
Discover Relaxation Within is a four week lifestyle improvement program that helps to identify everyday stressors and teaches participants specific relaxation techniques to induce relaxation and reduce and manage stress.

Eat Well for Life I and II
Eat Well for Life is a four week lifestyle improvement program promoting wellness and long-term wight management through balanced nutrition. As a result of Eat Well for Life, participants will obtain the knowledge necessary to make healthful food choices and will be encouraged to adopt the nutrition practices necessary to achieve a balanced lifestyle and long-term weight management.

Drop 10 in 10
An exciting 10-week program designed to help you lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks through a progressive program of optimal nutrition, regular exercise and meaningful behavioral change. 

Clear The Air
Clear The Air is a smoking cessation program (held in one session) that prepares individuals to quit tobacco. Participants will receive a Quit Kit containing $40 worth of over the counter nicoteine replacement therapy ( NRT) coupons.

Diabetes Awareness and Prevention
A 4 week program selected to provide general background information regarding diabetes and its risk factors. The program focuses on healthy lifestyles and habits such as nutrition, exercise and stress management.

Child Watch

Safe play area. Plenty of smiles. Y staff will supervise your child while you work out. Nursery services are provided for FREE while you exercise to ensure the active use of your YMCA membership. Open to children 6 weeks to 7 years.

Community Development

Quilt/Craft Classes
A variety of projects to choose from throughout the year including making afghans for Empty Arms.

CPR And First Aid Certification Classes
The American Safety and Health Institute CPR and first aid certification classes are available to individuals who have never been certified or whose certification has expired.

Preschool Programs

One, Two and You
A gym and swim program that offers a combination of group games and tumbling activities. At least one parent or adult care giver is required to accompany their child. Open to children 6 months to 3 years. Please note: GLY gym program only.

Art, Gym and Swim
The Art, Gym and Swim program includes 30 minutes each of art, tumbling/gym and swim classes. Each portion of the class is 30 minutes in length. Open to children ages 3-6.

Mighty Mites Sports Clinic
This program introduces soccer, basketball, floor hockey and tee ball to youth ages 4-5 years old.  Throughout the session the participants will be taught basic fundamentals of each sport; dribbling, passing, shooting, etc…

Youth

Youth Fitness Course
Designed for ages 11-14 years. Under the supervision of trained instructors, the course concentrates on flexibility, cardiovascular and strength. Proper form, full range of motion and appropriate resistance and repetitions are emphasized. Get a healthy, early start to fitness and reinforce a lifetime pattern to exercise. After the six one-hour classes, youth are given a card to participate with their family and utilize the fitness center. A graphical summary of their current fitness level will also be given.

Christian Emphasis Programs

The YMCA of Greater Erie strongly believes in our mission: “To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” All staff, program instructors, volunteer and leaders include this in their daily work and teachings. The following programs help enhance our Christian emphasis.

Bible Studies
Expand your spiritual journey by attending our various Bible Study Series.

Christian Lending Library
Located at the Glenwood Park Family YMCA. We are pleased to provide you with a wide variety of wonderful books in our lending library. These books have been donated and/or purchased by the YMCA for your enjoyment.

Older Adults

Older Adult Assessments
Offered throughout the year. Nine tests to evaluate balance, agility, flexibility, walking endurance, and strength. Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. see branch for more details.

Older Adult Fitness
A variety of programs designed specifically for the older adult. Includes cardio-respiratory fitness walking with exercise. Increase strength, flexibility, balance and joint mobility. See the front desk of your YMCA for current schedule.

Classes and Activities
Stop by the front desk of your local branch to check for availability and scheduled times.

• Older Adult Water Fitness
• Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program
• Healthy Back
• Educational Brunches
• Silver Sneakers
• Muscular Strength & Endurance
• Cardio Circuit
• Yoga Stretch

Senior Coffee Hour
Come and enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation with your fellow YMCA members.

The Silver Sneaker Fitness Program
Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activity for daily living skills. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a ball are offered for resistance and a chair is used for seated and /or standing support.

Sports

These programs are non-competitive leagues that teach the fundamental skills and rules of the sport with focus on the philosophy that “Everybody Plays, Everybody Wins!” Players work on coordination, teamwork and having fun!

Youth Co-Ed Floor Hockey
This program teaches the basic skills and strategies of floor hockey. Volunteer coaches instruct children on team work, sportsmanship and cooperative play. Offered to boys and girls ages 4-7 years old.

Youth Co-Ed Indoor Soccer
This non-competitive program is offered in the winter and spring to boys and girls ages 4-15 years old. Teaching the basic skills and strategies of indoor soccer. Practices and games each week.

Youth Co-Ed Outdoor Kick Ball
Non-competitive summer program with games played outside once per week.  Participants learn team play and develop sports skills while having fun.  Ages 4-12.

Youth Co-Ed Basketball
Offered to boys and girls ages 6-15 years old. Teaching the basic skills and strategies of basketball. Seven games and practices during the week.

Youth NFL FLAG Football
Offered to boys and girls ages 6-15 years old.  Participants are taught basic fundamentals as well as strategy at their weekday practice preparing them for their weekend game.  Eight practices and 7 games throughout the season.