The Schuylkill YMCA is encouraging people to become members this week with an open house, demonstrations of upcoming classes and free use of equipment.
"The open house concept originally started with the idea of highlighting our upcoming fall programs. But we're also going to open up our entire facility to the public to allow people to try it out this week for free," Wayne R. Stump, YMCA executive director, said Monday.
The "All For Fall Open House" started Monday and will wrap up Friday during regular business hours at the Schuylkill YMCA, 520 N. Centre St., Pottsville. It's open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
"So if you want to come in this week to work out, you can do that for free. If you like it, join," Stump said.
The open house is also offering introductions to its upcoming fall programs.
Programs for adults include "High Impact Interval Training," a high-energy workout run by Y Wellness staff member Kyle Kurtek.
"This is the second time we're doing it. It was held last spring. It's half-hour intervals of intense workouts," Rosemarie Seamon, Schuylkill YMCA community engagement director, said Monday.
A demonstration was held Monday afternoon and another is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"This intense 30-minute interval routine includes plyometrics, body resistance exercises, fast-paced cardio and more," Seamon said.
Plyometrics is exercise involving repeated rapid stretching and contracting of muscles, by jumping and rebounding, to increase muscle power, according to merriam-webster.com.
This six-week class includes a weekly take-home workout," according to the YMCA's website at schuylkillymca.com
That class will be held 4:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays from Sept. 4 to Oct. 9 and Tuesdays from Oct. 23 to Nov. 27, according to the site.
Today, there will be a demonstration of one adult program, "Free Weights for Women," from 4:15 to 5 p.m.
A demonstration of a new program for adults, "Cardio Walk," will be held from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday.
This year, there's a new slate of activities for children, "Press Play Youth Programs," developed by Steve Nash, Schuylkill Y program director.
These programs concentrate on three age groups:
- Rookies for ages 3-4, which offers parent/child basketball, soccer and all-sports
- Winners for ages 5-8, which focuses on football and floor hockey
- Champions for ages 9-13, which focuses on basketball and floor hockey.
This week, there will be demonstrations of classes from all three groups.
On Wednesday, there will be introductions to "Kardio Kids," for ages 8 to 13, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m., and "Intro to Football," for ages 8 to 13, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
On Thursday, there will be introductions to "Parent/Child All-Sports," for ages 3 and 4, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., and "Champions Basketball," for ages 9 to 12, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, YMCA Instructor Courtney Eickman has restructured and improved programs for children ages 6 months to 5 years, Stump said.
"Nine new classes range from music and art to crawling and climbing," he said.
There will be demonstrations all week of classes in the program, called "Y Discovery." They include: "Crawlers & Cruisers," for ages 6 to 18 months," from 10 to 10:45 a.m. today; "Walkers & Climbers" for ages 1 to 2 years, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. today; "Walkers & Climbers," for ages 1 to 2 years, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday; "Runners & Jumpers," for ages 3 to 5, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday; "Mini Masters Art," for ages 6 months to 2 years, from 11:15 a.m. to noon Thursday; and "Family Play," for ages 6 months to 5 years," from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Friday.
For more information, visit schuylkillymca.com or call the YMCA at 570-622-7850.
Established in 1997, the Schuylkill YMCA had its grand opening at the former Army National Guard armory in Pottsville in May 2009.
A full-service YMCA, it is open daily, has a full-time staff and activities for all ages. This includes a wellness center in the lower level with treadmills and elliptical machines, free weights and weight machines.
It currently has just more than 1,100 memberships and approximately 1,900 members, Seamon said.