By Christine Graf
As one of more than 2,700 YMCA’s throughout the United States, the Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area is committed to providing health and wellness opportunities to the local community.
“The YMCA is so expansive in the offerings for health and wellness,” said Executive Director Lauren Cygan. “It’s really the foundation on what the organization is built to serve. When you think of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, it all comes together at the Y. That’s why we have everything from aquatics and gymnastics to Silver Sneakers.”
Glens Falls members have access to one of the approximately 75 group exercise classes that are offered each week. These classes take place in the aquatics center, the cycle studio, or in one of the facility’s two fitness studios.
The majority of fitness classes are offered on a first come first served basis, but several of the most popular aquatic fitness classes require registration. Online registration is not available, and members can register for classes upon arrival at the YMCA. This is done to prevent no-shows.
“The aquatic fitness classes fill up incredibly quickly,” said Cygan. “Our older adult population is absolutely booming, and many of our seated classes—chair yoga and chair Zumba—also fill up very quickly.”
The Family YMCA of the Glens Falls Area is certified to teach the extremely popular Les Mills classes–Body Pump, Body Combat, and Body Step. They also offer mind/body classes including yin yoga, vinyasa, and power yoga. Personal and small group training with certified personal trainers are also available, and all new members are entitled to receive a free 30 minute Healthy Start session in the wellness center.
“During your session, you can ask questions and get your personalized quick start guide to using the wellness center,” said Cygan. “Not everyone is going into the wellness center for the same thing, and with a wellness center that has so many different pieces of equipment, you want people to find the workout that serves them. That’s why we offer free Healthy Starts as part of any new membership.”
According to Cygan, the YMCA has more to offer than just fitness opportunities.
“A big part of wellness is feeling connected and part of a group where you have interpersonal connectivity and the ability to care of yourself with a group of like-minded people. What I love at the Y is that people are coming together with a shared goal of improving their health and wellness. Wellness is not only physical. It’s about being well in mind, body, and spirit, and part of that is how we join together as a group.”
As part of its mission to serve the community, the YMCA offers many services and programming opportunities for children. Its Kids Korner provides childcare while parents are exercising, and the facility also offers a variety of classes for children. Preschool, before and after school enrichment programs, and a summer camp are also available.
When it comes to membership levels at the facility, Cygan said numbers are strong but have yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.
“Membership is doing very well, and the reasons for that are multi-faceted. There have been ongoing and very deliberate improvements to the Y. We’ve recently put in all new strength and cardio equipment in our wellness center. That has been very well received and has brought a lot of people back. We’ve also done a lot of physical plant improvement–improvements have been made to the pool and pool deck, a big lighting project—things to really help make sure the facility is the best it can be.”
“We are also working towards long term plans for the facility at large. We are looking at ways to update and streamline to better serve our members. There are no immediate plans in the works for what that is going to look like.”
Cleaning protocols that were adopted during the pandemic have continued on a permanent basis. Hand sanitizer stations are positioned throughout the facility and antibacterial wipes are used to wipe down equipment.
“We are routinely wiping down all major touch points,” she said.
Although Cygan has served as executive director for just six months, she has extensive experience in the field of health, wellness, and fitness. A personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Cygan at one time owned her own fitness studio. Before coming to the YMCA, she was the Director of Programming at Team 85, a multi-million dollar health club. In her position as executive director, she is focused on growth and development.
“Like many organizations, the Y has faced some of the struggles brought on by the pandemic,” she said. “I’m very fortunate to be in a role where I can look towards the development of the programs we already have. We have a beautiful foundation, and I work very closely with each of the department heads who are experts in the field. So, my job is to listen and facilitate and make sure we are looking with vision towards where we will be in 5 years, 10 years, 25 years. The idea is to ensure that we are serving our mission and serving the community to the best of our ability for as long as we possibly can.”
For more information, visit www.glensfallsymca.org. Financial assistance is available for those who can’t afford the full cost of a membership.