By Phyl Newbeck.
The Greater Burlington YMCA has been in existence for over 180 years. In 2020, they moved to a new location on College Street in downtown Burlington where they have continued their tradition of providing physical, mental, and social stimulation for residents of Chittenden County and beyond. The new building is 66,000 square feet and has two pools, a gym, a wellness area with cardiovascular and strength training, three fitness studios, a childcare classroom, and a playground for the younger set.
Although many people think about programs for children when they think about the YMCA, the Greater Burlington Y offers a wide array of options for adults including senior citizens. There are currently 856 seniors among their members. During the month of February, 3,400 seniors visited the building, which is the equivalent of roughly 120 a day. Most are from Chittenden County, but Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille, and Washington County are represented, as well as a few from across the lake.
The Y has a vast assortment of cardio equipment including fifteen treadmills, five stair climbers, five ellipticals, four stationary recumbent bicycles, and four upright bikes. There are two rowing machines, spin bikes, a hand cycle, and two specialized ellipticals. There are also 11 Cybex strength machines and free weights. There is a co-ed sauna, and three locker rooms. The entire facility is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
CEO Dan Smith said aquatic exercises are very popular with the Y’s senior clientele. Those offerings include aqua arthritis exercise, aqua Zumba, water aerobics, and silver foxes which is a program designed to increase flexibility and improve posture and balance. Other group classes include indoor cycling, cardio dance and tone, interval training, dance fitness, balance, mobility and core, tai chi, and Feldenkrais which uses gentle body movements and slow, repetitive actions to relieve fear, tension, and stress to allow the body to work more efficiently. Classes on senior strength, tai chi, yoga, mindful movement, and strong bones, strong bodies are also designed with an older membership in mind.
Smith said seniors appreciate the social aspect of the group exercise spaces. He said chair yoga, silver foxes classes, flow yoga, core and balance based classes, and aquatics geared toward helping those with arthritis are particularly popular. “There are classes that attract seniors because of the time of day, the community they create, and how they help seniors keep their bodies moving,” Smith said. In addition, the facility offers workshops on topics ranging from fall prevention to nutrition and estate planning.
The Greater Burlington YMCA describes itself as an inclusive, nonprofit organization which hopes to promote healthy living and foster a sense of social responsibility. Their core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. There is a $35 fee for membership with a monthly charge of $63 for adults and $57 for seniors. Families pay a $50 fee with a monthly charge of $95. Membership includes free classes and use of the facilities. Non-member adults pay $15 for classes, while the cost is $10 for seniors and $25 for families.
Recognizing that not everyone can pay for the programs, the Y provides financial assistance to those in need. Smith said there is a sliding scale based on household income with a user-friendly form for requesting assistance. The organization is pleased to have community partners in the education, health, and social services sectors including AARP, Green Mountain Adaptive Sports, the United Way of Northwest Vermont, the Vermont Department of Health, and UVM Medical Center.
Smith joined the organization last December and met with many of the seniors who regularly attend classes. “They all talked about their classes in a way that suggested they thought of it as family,” he said. “That’s what we want. We want the Y to be the third place after home and work.” Smith noted that people don’t just come to the Y to exercise. They linger after their classes and socialize. “It becomes a community that wraps around them,” he said.
One senior, Bob Leidy, has been going to the Y for almost 50 years. “My son did preschool, kindergarten and afterschool at the Y where he enjoyed the diverse environment,” Leidy said. “Now, as a senior, I go to the Y to keep fit and enjoy the Y community. I particularly enjoy the wonderful staff’s ability to keep this place a positive environment.”
Smith said that while exercise can be daunting for people, the Greater Burlington YMCA does their best to meet people where they are. “We’ll show you how to use the equipment in a manner suitable to your skill level,” he said. “Exercise is a challenge but there is more to the Y than that. While there are physical benefits to becoming a member, you also become part of a community and make lasting friendships. There is as much mental gain as there is physical gain.”
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