Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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Celebrate the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial with Decades Week Group Fitness Classes

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of service, leadership, and impact.

To help commemorate this historic milestone, the health and wellness teams from all Greater Joliet Area YMCA branches are encouraging members to participate in special ‘Decades Week’ group fitness classes throughout the year.

The celebration begins next week with ‘Peace, Love, and Fitness’ of the 60’s! We are going back to the groovy hippie days – a time of flower power, harmony, and good vibes. Can you dig it? See below for details.

Galowich Family YMCA and Morris Hospital YMCA
Members are encouraged to wear their 60’s themed attire in any class between February 2-8.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Members are encouraged to wear their 60’s themed attire in any class between February 2-8. The following classes will also feature music from the era:

Cycle/Sculpt
Tuesday, February 3
9:15 a.m.

WERQ
Wednesday, February 4
7 p.m.

Barre Above
Friday, February 6
8:15 a.m.

Group Cycle
Saturday, February 7
7:30 a.m.

Founded in 1926, the YMCA is one of the area’s leading nonprofit organizations, strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. To learn more about our Centennial Celebration, click here. 

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Morris Hospital YMCA Offering NEW START Health and Wellness Classes this Winter

Are you ready to jumpstart your health and wellness mindset? The Morris Hospital YMCA’s NEW START class is for you! This class will guide you through evidence-based principles of optimal well-being, helping you build a sustainable foundation for a healthier and happier you.

Led by Morris Hospital YMCA group fitness instructor Maureen Keegan, NEW START features 2 health and wellness sessions lasting 60 minutes each. Sessions will combine interactive lectures, Q&A activities, and goal-setting exercises to dive into eight foundational pillars of health:

Nutrition: Learn the power of whole foods, plant-based eating, and how to fuel your body for maximum vitality and disease prevention.

Exercise: Discover the benefits of effective, enjoyable ways to move your body, enhance mood, boost metabolism, and improve cardiovascular health, regardless of your current fitness level.

Water: Understand the essential role of hydration, how much you truly need, and the best ways to incorporate water throughout your day.

Sunlight: Explore the benefits of sun exposure for Vitamin D, mood regulation, and circadian rhythm balance.

Temperance (Balance): Uncover the art of moderation in all things, from diet to work habits, and learn to find true balance in a busy world.

Air: Learn why deep breathing and spending time in nature’s clean air are vital for detoxification and mental clarity.

Rest: Master the science of restorative sleep and relaxation, discovering techniques to improve sleep quality and manage stress effectively.

Trust (Faith/Spirituality): Explore the profound connection between your spirituality (a trust in a larger purpose or power) and your physical health, cultivating hope and emotional resilience.

Participants can register for one of two sections:

January 9 and January 16
9-10 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

February 2 and February 9
5:30-6:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY
Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members
About the Instructor: Maureen Keegan has nearly 20 years of experience working in health and wellness and has been teaching group and specialty fitness classes at the Morris Hospital YMCA for the past year. Her enthusiasm is boundless and her favorite thing about working at the Y is helping members learn about a wide range of health topics.
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Staying Active for Life: Sid Skidmore’s Y Story

At the Y, we are proud to support members as they reach their goals and mark important health and wellness milestones. And that is why we are so excited to shine the spotlight on Morris Hospital YMCA member Sid Skidmore, who celebrated his 100th birthday on August 29. 

Sid, a retired engineer, moved to Morris a few years ago to be closer to family and said he has been a member of various YMCAs over the years. When the new facility opened in Morris last December, he saw the perfect opportunity to get back into working out. 

“I realized I had lost a lot of my strength so I thought I better try and get some of it back,” he said. “They’ve done a great job with this brand new Y. It has everything you need.”

Sid visits the Y multiple times per week, arriving at 7 a.m. for each visit, and completes a regimented workout using the strength machines in the wellness center.  

“When you get old, you find you have to have a routine or you’ll forget something. I have routines for everything.” he said. “The Y is definitely the best place to go for exercising and for meeting other people, too. I’ve made a lot of friends here. It’s fun to chat for a few minutes each morning while you’re working out.”

According to Sid, the secrets to turning 100 are more than just an active lifestyle; good genes and a lifetime of healthy eating play a big role as well.

“When I was a kid, my mother would go shopping every other day so we always had fresh vegetables and fresh meat. And we never had anything like soda or fountain drinks, so I never got in the habit of drinking any of that stuff. I think that’s part of it,” he said.

Sid said working out at the Y helps him with his other interests of playing golf and making stained glass windows. He also shared that he passed a recent driver’s test, a sign that he doesn’t have any plans of slowing down, even after hitting the century mark. 

“I used to plan out five to ten years ahead. Now that I’ve hit 100, I think I can still plan for five years ahead,” he said.  

On behalf of the entire Y community, we would like to wish Sid a very happy 100th birthday and thank him for being a part of our YMCA family!

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Try Something New: Ann Wright’s Y Story

When the Morris Hospital YMCA opened last December, it opened the door to new possibilities for those in the Morris community, including individuals like Y member, donor, and volunteer Ann Wright. 

“My husband and I joined the Y at the old downtown location to support the cause, but never had the intent to go. Then we got really excited about the new Y, and when it opened we were on board from the get go,” Ann said. 

With new spaces like an eight lane lap pool to explore, Ann came to find her go-to activities at the Y were water fitness classes, a passion now shared by many in the community. 

“I do water fitness two or three times a week and every class seems to fill up. It’s incredible. There are classes in the morning and at night, and when I’m sitting in church on Sunday I can tell people are ready to hit that button and sign up for the Monday morning class,” she said.

Ann also noted being a Y member has helped her build stronger relationships with past acquaintances and forge new friendships along the way.  

“I remember telling one woman about the evening water fitness class and we had a date night with our husbands,” Ann said. “Now they do about four or five classes a week. It’s a great example of being willing to think outside the box and try something new.”

Ann was able to expand her own horizons by participating in YMCA Fit4U. During the 4-week introductory program, which is free for Facility Members, Ann learned more about the machines in the Wellness Center and Y amenities that could help her get started with new exercises.

“I did (Fit4U) because I have never used gym equipment before. It really helped me feel comfortable in the fitness center. The staff were amazing and encouraging,” she said.

Ann said that the positive energy from staff and members alike makes each visit to the Y a rewarding experience.

“You don’t leave without feeling like you’re a happier person. And that goes along with already having done something positive for your health. The physical aspect is probably what people think of and why they want to go initially, but the positivity you get here is vital.”

We are so proud to have Ann in our Y community! Please know that your Y family will always be here to support you along your health and wellness journey!

As a reminder, Fall 1 session programming begins on Monday. You can view group fitness, lap pool, and gymnasium schedules by clicking here or by using the YMCA On the Go App. If you are interested in learning more about the YMCA’s Fit4U program, please click here.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Host Fitness ‘Dance-a-Thon’ Luau

The Morris Hospital YMCA is hosting a dance party and you are invited! Led by our fantastic instructors, Crystal, Jes, and Dina, this high-energy 75-minute “Dance-a-Thon” will challenge participants to complete Pound Fitness, Hip Hop Fit, and SHiNE Dance Fitness classes back-to-back-to-back!

As a special treat, the gym will be decked out with tropical decorations and all participants arriving in luau-themed attire will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win fun prizes!

Date: Friday, October 10 
Time: 7-8:15 p.m.
Location: Morris Hospital YMCA Gymnasium 

Open to ages 13 and Up 

Cost: 
$5 for Facility Members
$10 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

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Feel Healthier, Be Stronger: Beth Yakich’s Y Story

The Y is a welcoming place for individuals looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle, providing the resources and support needed to help everyone reach their goals. For Galowich Family YMCA Member Beth Yakich, joining the Y this summer was a way to support rejuvenation and recovery. 

“I’ve had surgery on my left hip and I’m currently working on rehabbing my right hip. I completed physical therapy, but I had become very sedentary and I knew I had to change something. I needed to do something more.”

On her first visit, Beth learned right away that friendly faces are always here to greet you at the Y. 

“I’m standing at the desk on the day I joined and almost immediately I recognized two women I go to church with. They said ‘You’ve got to come to water Zumba tonight’. So I took a class the first day I joined and I’ve been coming in three days a week since then.”

In addition to group fitness classes, Beth said the Y’s Fit4U program has played a key role in helping her develop a healthier lifestyle. During the free 4-week introductory program, which is free for Facility Members, Beth learned more about machines in the Wellness Center and Y amenities that could help her get started with new exercises.

“I had a few questions about (Fit4U) when I joined and they got me set up with Sabrina from the health and wellness team,” she said. “My only experience with equipment was in physical therapy and that was just three machines – an arm bike, a stationary bike, and a leg press. With the help of Sabrina, I became more confident using all the machines in the wellness center, focusing on rotating through the ones that would help me meet my goals. I wasn’t interested in lifting weights, but now I realize how each piece of equipment can strengthen the muscles around joints.”

Beth also credited exercising at the Y for a :23 second improvement on cardiovascular stress testing at a recent doctor’s visit.

“Overall, I’m feeling healthier. I know it’s going to take time to be where I want to be, but I’m impressed with how short of time it has taken for me to feel stronger,” she said. 

And after struggling to stay committed to a health and wellness routine, Beth said being at the Y keeps her motivated. 

“When I was at home, it was always a case of ‘Well, I’ll work out tomorrow.’ When I walk through these doors, I’m working today.”

We are so proud to have Beth in our Y community and we wish her the very best as she strives to reach her health and wellness goals.

If you are interested in learning more about the YMCA’s Fit4U program, please click here. You can also view our current group fitness schedules by clicking here or by using the YMCA On the Go App.  

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