Fall programming at Southern Prairie YMCA brings some new activities to try as well as some old favorites.
What’s New?
TRX training is now available to YMCA members.
Developed by the Navy SEALs, this suspension training uses the participant’s body weight and suspension straps anchored to the wall for a complete workout that strengthens core muscles and improves strength, balance and flexibility.
Classes are held three times a week, 11:15 to 12 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. and 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and is limited to six participants during each session.
“It’s a pretty awesome workout,” said Dana Dodge, executive director for the YMCA. “It’s tough to do and a bit of a challenge.”
Members with Parkinson’s disease no longer have to travel to Atlantic to join a Rock Steady Boxing class.
The no-contact boxing-based class is available only to members with Parkinson’s disease and those with instability problems, and is being taught from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s designed to help improve balance, flexibility and strength, as well as speed and reaction time.
“It kind of helps people with Parkinson’s manage their symptoms a little better,” said Dodge. “I think it’s going to be a great addition. We have five speed bags mounted to the wall. We’ve got some heavy bags they’ll hit and get to throw down. It’s kind of a circuit-based boxing class for those with Parkinson’s.”
The YMCA has taken over the city women’s volleyball, co-ed volleyball and men’s basketball programs.
Women’s league volleyball will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and registration is $150 per team.
Men’s league basketball will begin in the winter and co-ed volleyball will begin in the spring.
Dodge said, because these are league teams, particpants must be members of a team to participate. Since this is the first time the Y has ever done league sports like this, she will see how the season goes and build from there.
The YMCA will offer youth boxing for the first time beginning in December. This is a non-competitive class which teaches youth basic boxing skills and techniques and is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 12.
Returning old favorites
Along with the new programs being offered, Dodge said the YMCA is continuing some of the old favorites.
Among them are open adult soccer every Sunday, and basketball pickup games are returning on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The after school program has openings for a few more children.
“If parents need a safe place for their kids to go for a couple hours after school, it’s usually from 3:30 to 6 p.m.,” said Dodge. “We do two days at the Y, Tuesdays and Thursdays, when they’ll swim most of the time. We’ll also do crafts and things like that. Then Monday, Wednesday and Friday they’ll be over at the school utilizing one of the gyms for physical activities, doing STEM projects, different projects around the library, that kind of stuff.”
Indoor youth soccer will return in October and youth basketball returns in November. Both are open to children ages 3 to 12 with different sessions for 3- to 6-year-olds and 7- to 12-year-olds.
The Balloon Days 5K Walk/Run begins at 8 a.m. Saturday in McKinley Park, Although early registration has ended, runners can still sign up for $35. Door prizes, trophies and medals will be handed out to the winners of each age group.
Other events planned for the remainder of the year include the Great Floating Pumpkin Patch on Oct. 26 and Nerf Wars on Dec. 7. These events are free to members and non-members can participate for the cost of a day pass, which is $11 per family.
The YMCA will host a dinner to raise money for its scholarship program on Nov. 3. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner followed by a presentation and an auction at 6 p.m.
“It’s all about raising funds for the scholarship program, the financial assistance program that we put on throughout the year,” said Dodge. “As a Y organization, we cannot deny anyone the ability to access our facility for an inability to pay. I think our goal this year is to raise $80,000.
“We’ve seen an increase in scholarship and program assistance across the board with swimming lessons, people wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, our day camp kids, that kind of stuff,” she added. “The only thing that financial assistance does not provide for would be personal training. But if you were doing swim team or day camp or after school, and you needed financial assistance, you could apply for that and receive up to 40 percent off for those programs.”
For more information on any of the programs offered at the Y, or to ask about financial assistance, call 782-9622.
