The Cardio Kickboxing class at the Y. Courtesy photo
THE FAMILY YMCA NEWS
With health restrictions loosening and because of high demand, Silver Sneakers, a favorite senior fitness class, will be resuming live in-person classes at The Family YMCA starting at 10:30 am, on Monday, April 5. That week the Y will also be adding more LesMills-branded classes such as BODYPUMP and BODYCOMBAT to their suite of offerings.
Sylvie Johnson, the Y’s Fitness Coordinator, said that people who are hesitant to join the live Silver Sneakers program may still take the same class virtually with instructions online at laymca.org/fitness-classes.
Johnson said the Y offers 32 in-person and 22 virtual fitness classes during the week, in-person and online, and is thrilled to be enhancing the variety of classes with new and more LesMills classes as instructors get certified.
LesMills includes a slow-and-steady build up to fitness in one introductory class but is known for its high-intensity, high-energy programs. The Y will be offering two of these programs beginning next week, with more to follow. Class sizes are limited and participants are asked to arrive early to secure a space, and wear a mask. Rooms are equipped with HEPA filters that sanitize air in 15 minutes.
LesMills BODYCOMBAT is a high-energy martial-arts-inspired workout where participants punch and kick their way to superior fitness and strength. It is a non-contact class with no complex moves to master. While instructors will challenge participants to up the intensity and motivate people to make the most of every round, the class will relieve stress and help a person feel like a champ. The class will tone arms, back, shoulders, legs and really work the core, as well as burn calories and fuel cardio fitness. The class will help develop coordination, agility and speed, and help participants feel empowered. There will be options from the instructor to help you adjust current fitness level. The class runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-12:45 pm and is taught by Emily Schmidt.
LesMills BODYPUMP is a weights class for everyone that will leave people toned, lean and fit. Using light to moderate weights with lots of repetition, this class gives people a total body workout that burns lots of calories; it will tone and shape the body without adding bulk. The repetition effect is the secret to developing lean athletic muscle without the need for heavy weights. Instructors offer encouragement, motivation and great music in a class that will help people you achieve more than working out alone. Instructors wills teach moves and techniques to make everyone’s first class safe and fun. People will leave feeling challenged and motived, and ready to come back for more. This class is offered on Wednesday and Friday from 12-1 pm and is taught by Susan Pappas.
“We have several new offerings and former favorites including Barre, Cycling, TRX, Yoga and Zumba,” said Johnson. She said new offerings include STRONG Nation that combines body weight, muscle conditioning, cardio and plyometric training moves synced to original music designed to match moves, taught by Warapha Prime. Metabolic Conditioning called MetKon RX, a high intensity workout and M1nd, a functional stretch workout are also new and taught in person by Carrie Garcia.
“We are so grateful to have such wonderful instructors at the Y that help inspire our members to fitness,” Johnson said. “Please explore the days, times, class descriptions, and instructors on our website.”
About The Family YMCA: The Y, a charitable nonprofit organization, was established in Los Alamos by volunteers in 1955 who recognized the need for a place where families could recreate together. The Y typically provides 300 individuals (200 of which are children) with $90,000-$120,000 in assistance to be in Y programs. In 2020, due to the pandemic and people’s caution, the Y provided $36,000 in financial assistance to 73 individuals, including 12 youth in childcare programs. Donated funds also supported the Española YMCA Teen Center, and provided financial stability at the Y during the pandemic.