Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Members Invited to Complete Health and Wellness Survey

Each year, the Y welcomes individuals of all ages to participate in health and wellness activities at our facilities. And now, as we strive to meet the ever-evolving needs of our YMCA community, we’d like to hear from you!

We have designed a short electronic survey to gather feedback about the types of fitness programs, classes, and equipment Y members and the community would like to see offered in our facilities.

This survey only takes a few minutes to complete and will remain open through Friday, June 6. Your answers, combined with those of others, will help the Y plan for future programming.

Those who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle to win a free 60-minute personal training session. (One winner per branch.)

Select your local Y branch below below to begin:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA
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Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Offer New Teen Strength Training Clinics

The Morris Hospital YMCA is excited to offer special strength training clinics for teens, ages 16-19! These clinics are perfect for teen lifters of all levels, whether you’re a beginner looking to master the fundamentals, or an experienced athlete aiming to refine your form and learn some key points to hitting that next PR! 

Dates: Clinics will begin the week of June 2 and continue through the week of August 19. 

Time: 6:30-7:15 p.m. 

PLEASE NOTE: Clinics are offered on a per-day basis. Participants are encouraged to register for multiple dates to improve technique and track progression over the summer. 

Cost per one-day clinic: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members 

Clinics will focus on three main lifts: 

Mondays – Back Squat
Tuesdays – Bench Press
Fridays – Deadlift

REGISTER TODAY

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

 Chris Peura, certified Personal Trainer, has earned multiple first place finishes in regional and state powerlifting competitions while also qualifying for national competitions. Most recently Chris competed in the Powerlifting America Illinois State Championships, winning the squat and overall weight competitions with state records. 

Learn More:

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Health & Wellness Director Ro Petersen at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 517.

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2025 YMCA ‘Earn Your Shirt’ Summer Fitness Challenge

JUNE 16-AUGUST 10

The Y wants to help you stay committed to a healthy lifestyle this summer and that is why we are excited for our annual ‘Earn Your Shirt’ Fitness Challenge.

Here’s how it works:

Check in at the YMCA at least 20 times between June 16 and August 10 and you’ll earn a special YMCA t-shirt. Participants will receive their shirt after their 20th visit.

Cost: $25, open to YMCA Facility Members only.

Registration for the challenge is underway! and will continue through Monday, June 23. Register for the challenge at your local Y branch by clicking below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Hospital YMCA

To learn more about this challenge visit the membership desk of your local Y branch.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Offer New Parkinson’s Exercise Program

The Y is excited to help support individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease through our new PWR! Moves exercise program!

PWR! Moves (Classes start the week of May 5)
Date and Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-1:50 p.m.

This class will focus on improving functional mobility and strength. Participants will learn more intentional and smooth movements to improve everyday actions, such as walking, climbing stairs, and turning in tight spaces. Our certified instructors can assist with modifications to help class participants complete each exercise correctly.

And don’t forget, the Y also offers a Pedaling for Parkinson’s exercise program!

Pedaling for Parkinson’s
Date and Time: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1-2 p.m.

While cycling is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease, there is compelling evidence to show that it does make a real difference for many who try it. Classes are designed to empower participants by optimizing their physical function, improving their gait, balance, speech, handwriting, and overall endurance, and helping to delay the progression of symptoms.

PLEASE NOTE: PWR! Moves and Pedaling for Parkinson’s are free and open to the community. Class participants must receive clearance to participate from their doctor prior to class participation. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking below.

PWR! Moves

Pedaling for Parkinson’s

Learn More:

If you have any questions about these programs, please contact Health & Wellness Director Ro Petersen at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 517.

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Ignite Your Passion: Jeannie Howell’s Y Story

At the YMCA, we are always proud to support members as they strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reach their goals. This includes individuals like Jeannie Howell, who says she has experienced life changing health and wellness results since joining the Galowich Family YMCA in 2008.

“In 2007, a nurse that I worked with helped me make a New Year’s resolution. She said ‘Let’s exercise for at least an hour once or twice a week.’ At that point in time, I weighed 287 pounds and my knees would pop when I would go up and down the stairs. Since then, I’ve lost more than 100 pounds and I’m now off 2 diabetic medicines that I had taken for 30 years,” she said. 

Jeannie says her Y journey began with water aerobics classes and that she eventually found opportunities to explore one of her life’s passions – dance. 

“When I joined the Y, I thought to myself ‘If I start working out here it’s possible for me to become the dancer that I always aspired to be.’ It was step classes, it was line dancing, it was Zumba, it was everything. I was so winded at first because I couldn’t keep up, but my love for dance allowed me to keep going.”

Jeannie said the process of losing weight was slow and measured, but with each step she gained more confidence, eventually participating in local dance competitions.

“I saw changes along the way that gave me confidence. I was able to stay on the dance floor longer and longer. That’s when I knew everything was working,” she said. 

In addition to improving her health, being at the Y allowed Jeannie to build lasting friendships. 

“I’ve made so many connections at the Y. I’m still friends with everyone I met in the first water aerobics classes from 2008. And when I meet up with friends from Zumba classes, sometimes we end up doing the dances right in the bar when music comes on,” she said.

When offering advice to others seeking to improve their health, Jeannie emphasizes that patience has been the most important factor in her health and wellness journey.

“You can’t be in a hurry and you can never quit. Bad habits die hard and it’s never easy. You have to find something you enjoy. So try some of everything and find something that you like. It takes time but it becomes a lifestyle,” she said. 

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Get Fit and Stay Strong During the YMCA’s March Personal Training Sale

We invite you to take the next step in your fitness journey by taking advantage of our March Personal Training Sale. Throughout the month, if you buy four sessions, you get one free!*

REGISTER TODAY

One-on-One PT Sessions
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

Group of 2 PT Sessions
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

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

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

*Offer valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location between March 1-31, 2025. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Visit your local branch for more details.

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