YMCA HEALTH AND WELLNESS:

The YMCA is here to help you reach your health and wellness goals. Maybe you want to become healthier through exercise and physical activity. If you're a beginner to exercise, we have fitness coaches to help you get started and answer your questions. All of our branches offer free individual wellness orientations to members to help you on your health journey. And if you're interested in the best facilities, equipment and a large variety of options to stay fit, the YMCA is perfect for you If you enjoy working out with others in a group setting the branches also have a wide range of classes suited for individuals of all fitness levels, with a number of classes designed for individuals who are just getting started or who have not been active for a while. For those of you that are already active the YMCA offers many options to meet your fitness goals including Fitness Assessments, Advanced Group Fitness Classes and Personal Training.

For more information click on the branch nearest you:
Berrytown
Bullitt County
Chestnut Street
Dixie Manor Extension (operated by Southwest Branch)
Downtown
Middletown Extension (operated by Northeast Branch)
Northeast
Oldham County
Southeast
Southwest

Click here to JOIN THE YMCA ONLINE

Diabetes Prevention Program
The YMCA of Greater Louisville now offers a 16-week program developed to reduce the risk of diabetes in individuals with pre-diabetes. Each one-hour session per week will cover diet, exercise, and behavior modification to help participants achieve two primary goals: reduce body weight by 7% and participate in regular physical activity.

The cost of the program is $50 for YMCA members and $100 for non-members and will be offered at each of the branches throughout the year. Please contact Lauren or Alisha at the Healthy for Life! Clinic at 852-7309 for more information. More Information (PDF) 


LIVESTRONG LANCE ARMSTRONG CANCER SURVIVOR PROGRAM
The Downtown and Northeast Branch have begun to offer programming specifically geared for cancer survivors.  Through a grant provided by the Lance Armstrong Foundation the YMCA now offers a program to meet the needs of survivors.  The program helps survivors regain the strength and energy as well as connect with others on the same journey. Please email livestrong@ymcalouisville.org for more information.

HEALTHY IN A HURRY CORNER STORES:
The YMCA of Greater Louisville in collaboration with the Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness and the Center for Health Equity have launched a Healthy in a Hurry Corner Store initiative to address the food deserts that exist in low income areas of our community.  The initiative is grant funded and has provided the infrastructure and expertise for two stores in low income areas to carry fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information contact Mike Bramer, YMCA Director of Healthly Actions at mbramer@ymcalouisville.org

Y5210 SCHOOL NUTRITION AND ACTIVITY PROGRAM:
Launched in the fall of 2008 this program is held during and after school.  The message is simple - 5 Fruits/Vegetables a day, 2 hours or less of screen time (TV, Computer, Video Games, etc.), 1 hour or more of active play and 0 sugar sweetened drinks.  The program includes a DVD with ten minute sessions of daily exercise led by the classroom teacher.  The children also have weekly take home challenges to engage the entire family.  The kits include exercise bands for all the kids to use and weekly curriculum for use in the classroom.  Over 900 kids participated in the initial launch and the program is set to expand for the 2009-2010 school year. For more information contact Mike Bramer, YMCA Director of Healthly Actions at mbramer@ymcalouisville.org

FARMER'S MARKETS:
The YMCA is supporting the growth of two low income area farmer's markets (Victory Park and Smoketown/Shelby Park) by providing physical activity for the kids while the parents are free to shop at the market.  The activity includes staffing and obstacle courses for a fun and active environment.  This initiative is funded by the Humana Foundation.

FOOD FIGHT:
Everyday we make food choices about the foods we eat.  Sometimes those choices come down to a fight between foods that are good for us and foods that are not.  To learn more click here