Healthy Lifestyles — Page 4 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Belonging Begins With Us: Celebrate 2025 Welcoming Week at the YMCA

September 4, 2025

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA will be joining YMCAs across the country to celebrate Welcoming Week from September 12-21! Welcoming Week, an initiative of Y-USA’s national partner Welcoming America, elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of our country. This week-long celebration is an opportunity for neighbors – both immigrants and US-born residents – to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community.

This week, when you visit your local Y branch, you’ll be able to participate in fun activities that will get you in to the spirit of Welcome Week.

EXPAND YOUR WORLD

Members will be invited to participate in fun and easy activities to expand their perspectives and make our community a more welcoming place for all. You can grab an activity card by visiting the Membership Desk.

BRINGING PEOPLE CLOSER

Members will have the opportunity to pin their country of origin on a map located in the lobby. We are so excited to display a worldwide community throughout the week!

TRY NEW TASTES

Members can sample delicious foods from around the world during our cultural food extravaganzas. Enjoy fellowship with your neighbors, learn about different cultures, and play games with new and old friends. Plus, bring a friend and you can enter to win some fantastic raffle prizes including gift cards and Y swag! Branch specific dates can be found below.

GALOWICH FAMILY YMCA
749 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
Friday, September 12
10 a.m.-Noon

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
Wednesday, September 17
10:30 a.m.-Noon

MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
Thursday September 18
11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

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Stronger Together: Bring a Friend Fitness Class Opportunities

September 3, 2025

Grab a workout buddy and join us for special fitness classes at the Y! Facility members are invited to bring a guest for free. Fitness is always better together!

PLEASE NOTE: Guests must present a valid photo ID when checking in. Attendance in these classes will not count against a guest’s total pass usage for 2025.

Cardio Interval
You’ll alternate between cardio intervals and strength moves to achieve the maximum results, increased cardiovascular fitness and calorie burning.
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: 4:15-5 p.m.
Location: Morris Hospital YMCA

Bootcamp
A mix of strength and cardio drills, using circuits and intervals.
Date: Monday, September 15
Time: 9-9:45 a.m.
Location: Galowich Family YMCA

Cardio Mix
This class will feature 30 minutes of WERQ, 30 minutes of Butts and Guts, and 30 minutes of stretching
Date: Friday, September 26
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA

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Staying Active for Life: Sid Skidmore’s Y Story

August 29, 2025

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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YMCA September Personal Training Sale

August 27, 2025

Whether you’re just starting your health and wellness journey, or looking to add a little variety to your exercise program, a YMCA personal trainer can help you to achieve your wellness goals. And now you can take your first step with the help of our September Personal Training Sale! Throughout the month if you buy four sessions, you get one free!*

Learn more about personal trainers at your local Y branch by clicking below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Community YMCA

One-on-One Personal Training
Avery
Galowich
Morris

Group of Two Personal Training
Avery
Galowich
Morris

*Offer good September 1-30, 2025. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Visit your local branch for more details.

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Try Something New: Ann Wright’s Y Story

August 22, 2025

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

August 15, 2025

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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