Healthy Lifestyles — Page 2 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

C.W. Avery Family YMCA Members Eligible for Jumpstart Your Health Program Special Offer from Endeavor Health

June 3, 2026

Beginning Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m., Endeavor Health will offer Jumpstart Your Health with Group Lifestyle Balance™ in-person at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

What is Jumpstart Your Health?
Jumpstart Your Health is a year-long lifestyle change program designed to help people lose weight, increase activity and prevent disease. Jumpstart Your Health utilizes Group Lifestyle Balance™, a research-based curriculum that helps individuals make lasting lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes, cardiovascular disease and develop healthy lifestyle habits.

What will the program entail?

Virtual or in-person, 1 hour group classes
22 total classes over the one-year program (beginning weekly, then tapering to monthly)
Education on nutrition, physical activity and behavior modification
Self-monitoring of weight, food and activity
A trained lifestyle coach to help guide and encourage you
Support from other participants with the same goals as you

Are you a candidate?
Jumpstart Your Health is for anyone over the age of 25 looking to lose weight and take charge of their health. A one year commitment is required. Attendance at class is a key indicator of success in the program.

How much does it cost?
The one year program fee is $199 for C.W. Avery YMCA members and $249* for non-members.

*May be eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement. Not covered by most insurance.

Jumpstart participants may be eligible for a free 30-day membership at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and will be offered a $0 Joiner’s Fee to continue their membership. This offer is only available for new members.

To register for the class with this offer, please call Class Registration at 630-527-6363 and let them know you would like to sign up for the Jumpstart class at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. Non-members may call Class Registration or email [email protected] for more information.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Invites Community to Participate in Murph Challenge

May 4, 2026

Stop by the Morris Hospital YMCA on Memorial Day weekend to complete the ‘Murph’ workout challenge to honor our fallen veterans. Members are invited to complete the ‘Murph’ in remembrance of Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy, who died heroically in Afghanistan on June 28. 2005.

Pick up a workout card at the Membership Desk and complete the following workout at your own pace anytime between Saturday, May 23 and Monday May 25:

1 MILE RUN
100 PULLUPS*
200 PUSHUPS*
300 SQUATS*
1 MILE RUN

*Modified versions may be utilized.

Once the challenge is complete, take a Polaroid selfie and add it to the bulletin board posted in the Wellness Center.

Community Members are welcome to join us at the Y during the holiday weekend to complete the ‘Murph’ by downloading a free daily pass. Please be sure to have your ID available upon check-in.

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Helping You Live Better: YMCA Members Invited to Participate in Fit4U Introductory Health and Wellness Program

April 30, 2026

If you are looking to start a new fitness routine this summer and don’t know where to begin, or if you have taken a break from exercise and want to get back on track, the Y’s new Fit4U program is for you! This FREE introductory health and wellness program offers guidance, knowledge, and motivation to help you lead a healthier lifestyle and become more physically active. The comprehensive 4-week program will introduce you to Wellness Center amenities, help you set goals, and design a workout program that works best for you. Each appointment will introduce you to a new element of fitness under the guidance of a Wellness Attendant.

PART 1: GETTING STARTED AND BASELINE TESTS

During this opening session, we will assess your current fitness level, set goals, get body composition (if requested), and complete our Fit4U questionnaire. You will have the opportunity to get set up on the YMCA on the Go App and begin orientation on any cardiovascular equipment (treadmills, ellipticals and bikes) that interests you.

PART 2: CARDIO REVIEW AND UPPER BODY STRENGTH

This session will reinforce the basics of using cardio equipment and add instruction of upper body strength equipment based on your fitness goals.

PART 3: LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING

The third session will introduce lower body strength equipment based on your fitness goals and review progress on your new fitness schedule.

PART 4: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

In this closing session, we will review and answer any additional questions related to cardio or strength equipment, workout progressions, and Personal Training options.

Open to Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members Only.

To learn more about Fit4U, please contact your local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Kristen Derengowski
Health, Wellness and Dance Director
[email protected]

Village of Shorewood YMCA
Alissa Koenig
Health and Wellness Director
[email protected]

Morris Hospital YMCA
Ro Petersen
Health and Wellness Director
[email protected]

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YMCA Masters Swim Team Competes at Illinois State Meet

April 17, 2026

We want to congratulate all the members of the YMCA’s Masters Swim Team for their outstanding performances at the Illinois Masters State Swim Meet earlier this month!

The team, which competes in conjunction with the Joliet Inwood Blue Tides, finished in seventh place out of 40 teams overall and was third amongst medium sized teams competing at the meet.

Whether it was setting personal record, or trying a new event, we know the team did amazing job of reaching their goals in the pool! We also give a special shout out to coaches Marcie Ryan Curran and Jen Hazard for guiding swimmers along the way.

If you would be interested in joining in the Masters Swim Team, which is open to Y members ages 18 and over, team practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 a.m. and 6-7 a.m., as well as Sundays from 7:15-8:15 a.m. Members who choose to compete in meets can do so in one of 12 different age groups. For more information, please contact the C.W. Avery YMCA at (815) 267-8600.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Host Meals on Wheels Cafe Events

March 10, 2026

The Morris Hospital YMCA is excited to parter with the Meals on Wheels Foundation of Northern Illinois to host a special series of Lunch Break Cafe events in 2026! Individuals, ages 60 and up, will be invited to rest and refuel with a delicious, nutritious fresh meal followed by bingo.

2026 Dates:
March 12, April 9, May 14, September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10

Location:
Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450

Activities will begin at Noon in Community Room A. Attendees will be required to show government ID at the front desk upon arrival. RSVPs are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Suggested donation is $5.

To RSVP, please contact Patty Strahan at (815) 941-1590 or [email protected].

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Helping You Live Better: C.W. Avery Family YMCA Invites Community to Running Injury Prevention Seminar

March 10, 2026

Are you tired of nagging aches holding you back when you run? Learn how to keep your miles pain-free during this special injury prevention seminar!

Endeavor Health Physical Therapist and board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Erik Martinez will dive into practical injury prevention exercises that target movements often neglected in typical strength training programs, but are important for running stability.

Prior to the presentation, all attendees are invited to join DNA Run Club for their community run at 6:30 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.

Location:

DNA Active Lifestyle Outfitters
24210 W. Lockport Street
Plainfield, IL 60544

Cost: Free and open to the community.

About the Presenter:

Erik Martinez is a PT and board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with Endeavor Health. He has 15 years of experience working with runners of all ages and is an avid runner himself. He is passionate about making clients lifelong athletes through consistency and injury prevention.

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