Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Healthy Lifestyles Start Here: May Personal Training Sale

The Y invites you to take the next step in your fitness journey through our May Personal Training Sale! Save $50 when you purchase a package of 8 personal training sessions!

Valid May 1-31 at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Visit your local branch for more details.

REGISTER TODAY

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

You can find information about personal trainers at your local Y branch below.

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

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Discover Your Potential: George Miller’s Story

At the Y, we take pride in supporting our members as they look to tackle new challenges and strive to achieve their goals. For Morris Community YMCA member George Miller, completing a 64 kilometer bike race was a rewarding experience made possible in part because of exercising at the Y.

Miller competed in the Rough Road 100 Spring Classic Gravel Race earlier this month, finishing with a time of four hours, six minutes. He was one of just three competitors over the age of 70 to complete the course.

“I have been training since January,” George said. “I worked with (Health and Wellness Director) Ro Petersen during some personal training sessions and I was alternating between that, spin classes, and my own cycle training.”

George had been a Y member in the past and was inspired to join again after retiring.   

“I realized I really hadn’t done anything for six months. I needed to get moving, so I came here. I’ve also done senior fitness classes and gone on walks with Fab 50 walkers,” he said.

George had previous cycling experience, but he said he took a more serious approach as he prepared for the race. 

“I used to have a 10 speed racer, but once I saw what the route entailed it was clear my 40-year-old bike wouldn’t hold up. I went out and bought a new bike with some extra gears and wider tires,” he said.

Morris Community YMCA member George Miller completed a 64K bike race earlier this month.

Rainy and windy weather conditions added to the challenge.

“Every time we would head east or south you were going right into the wind. It was a long race so the key was to not overextend myself at the beginning. Just take your time and keep pedaling is what I told myself. It was a matter of sticking to it. The other riders were also encouraging,” he said.

George said his Y spin instructor Sheila was at the starting line to see him off and that Ro was one of the first people to call after he completed the race. He plans to shift his focus toward running 5Ks, but is looking forward to more bike rides in the months ahead.

“I’m definitely going to be doing some more biking. There are a few other road trips and programs I’m interested in. I may also do this ride again but in the summer when the weather is nice and I can enjoy it a little bit more,” he said.

Although he’s not quite sure where the road will take him, George knows for sure that the Y will continue to play a key role in his training.

“I’m usually in here four days a week. I just love the companionship. It’s really great to be around people,” George said.

We congratulate George on his successful race and thank him for his continued support of the Y.

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Helping You Live Better: YMCA Pop-Up Work Out Challenge

April 1-30

Are you looking for a fun way to stay fit, try new exercises, and earn chances to win great prizes this spring? The Y’s Pop-Up Workout Challenge is for you! Here’s how it works: 

-Each week during the month of April a special pop-up workout will be posted on the YMCA’s Facebook and Instagram pages, in the YMCA On the Go App, and on white-boards in YMCA facilities. 

-Members can complete the workout on their own before requesting a raffle ticket by visiting the membership desk. 

-A bonus raffle ticket can be earned by liking or commenting on the social media post announcing the workout. 

-Pop-ups will be posted on random days, so be sure to check these spaces regularly. 

-There will be 4 pop-up workouts, so members can earn up to 8 raffle tickets during the challenge. 

-Winners will be drawn on Monday, May 2. One winner per branch. Each winner will receive Y swag. 

This challenge is free and open to YMCA Facility Members. 

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s New Year, New You Fitness Challenge Begins February 1

February 1-28

The Y’s New Year, New You Challenge is a 28 day chance to strive for healthy habits. This is an opportunity to refresh your goals and work toward new ones. Here’s how it works:

1. Download the challenge card of your local Y branch below, or stop by the membership desk to pick up a copy.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Community YMCA

2. Complete an activity from one of the challenge boxes each day and cross off as you go along.

3. Complete 28 activities and turn in your finished card by Wednesday, March 2 to be entered into a raffle for Y swag. Three winners will be chosen from each branch.

Cost: Free and open to Facility Members only. No registration required.

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Healthy Lifestyles Happen Here: Take Charge of Your Diabetes Self-Management Program

At the Y, we are focused on helping individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle. And we are excited to invite the community to participate in our Take Charge of Your Diabetes Self-Management Program. This FREE 6-week program is designed for diabetics, pre-diabetics and caregivers, provides valuable information and tools for self-managing diabetes, including:

  • How healthy eating can improve your condition
  • Creating an exercise program that works for you
  • How to improve communication with your family, friends, and healthcare providers
  • Developing weekly goals to help you manage your condition
  • Problem-solving strategies to help cope with pain, fatigue and frustration
  • Gaining support and encouragement from others living with ongoing health conditions

Learn how to THRIVE—not just survive!

Class Time: Wednesday afternoons from 1-4:30 p.m. starting January 19

Registration is required.

REGISTER ONLINE

For more information about our Diabetes Self-Management Program contact Healthy Living and Senior Activities Coordinator Cindy Moss at (815) 267-8600, ext. 214 or [email protected]

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Member Spotlight: Danny Vrachan

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA has been celebrating its 15th Anniversary on Wallin Drive in 2021! To commemorate this milestone, we have shared the Y story of one of our fantastic members each month. We close this exciting year by shining the spotlight on Danny Vrachan. Danny has been a member since 2006 and we are so excited to have him share his favorite Y memories from the last 15 years! 

Q: Why did you join the Y?

I’ve been a member of a YMCA for over 25 years, and this Y is really close to my home now. When Avery opened in 2006, I was a temporary member first before I started coming all the time once I retired in 2009. This facility is well taken care of and I like it. Everybody is friendly.

Q: What activities have you enjoyed most at the Y?

When I started at the Y, it was mostly the cycling classes and the cardio classes. This place always has modern equipment and that’s what I like. The instructors are good and are always into what they do. The one who has impressed me the most is Kevin Hir. He’s the guy that always makes sure you get a real workout. And here, there is always a variety of things to do. I’m also a swimmer and I took up swimming because it’s good exercise and you can do it even when you’re older. It gives me options and takes a little bit of the weight bearing off my knees and shoulders. 

Q: How has the Y impacted your life?

I have a lot of new friendships. Sometimes they call me ‘The Mayor’ because I’ve been here so long. I feel like I know just about everybody and they know me. For me, it’s all about being around like minded people with a common goal, and here that goal is self-improvement. People who go to car shops talk about cars, here you talk about working out and what it takes to better yourself.

Q: What has the Y experience meant to you?

The camaraderie is important. I enjoy having people in my life I can communicate with on a daily basis. I didn’t picture myself sitting in a donut shop drinking coffee. This gets me out of the house every morning and I always feel like I’ve achieved something. I like to set little goals every day.

Q: What should someone who is interested in joining know about the Y?

I tell people that you can always give it a try. Even if it’s something like a trial membership, you will like it. When you get in here you meet new people and you come out of your shell. That’s what happened to me.

We would like to thank Danny and all of our members for their incredible support over the last 15 years! To take a look back at all of the amazing members we profiled this year, please click here. 

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