6 minute read
YMCA Targets Chronic Diseases
BY MARCIA BIGGS
YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has been a leading supporter of the health and well-being of area residents since the 1920s. Through three major Wellness Centers – Jim & Heather Gills, Bardmoor in Largo and the new Speer YMCA in north St. Petersburg, the non-profit offers a diverse selection of Community Health Programs that address chronic illnesses such as Parkinson’s Disease, diabetes and cancer. The cost can be nominal or free, and participants are not required to be members.
These classes can provide strength training and emotional support for patients coming off cancer treatment, balance and agility exercises for those with Parkinson’s, and weight loss and nutrition counseling for the obese and prediabetics. Fitness instruction is based on medical research and scientific evidence and led by certified instructors.
The St. Pete program is part of a broader initiative started by the national YMCA about 15 years ago which partners with longstanding programs such as LIVESTRONG® (cancer recovery) and the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Many of the classes are in high demand, says Kieran Gabel, Director of Community Health for YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg.
“For about 12 years the St. Pete YMCA has been instrumental in offering chronic disease prevention programs,” she explains. “These programs vary in length and commitment … for example, our Fall Prevention Program continually has a waitlist. It’s a rigorous fitness class for seniors to reduce the risk of falling, and once people join, they make friends and enjoy it so much they don’t want to leave.
“Other programs like the National Diabetes Prevention Program are a yearlong commitment. It’s geared to pre-diabetics; you have to fit certain criteria to enroll.”
Many participants in these “lifestyle intervention programs” often come with a physician referral, Gabel adds, but they are not just for seniors. “Anyone can experience early onset Parkinson’s or cancer … so we have all ages. These program can make incredible changes to your lifestyle.”
Here’s a look at current offerings:
• LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is a free 12-week program for cancer survivors and family members. This researchbased program offers people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the body and spirit. Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem. (Available at Speer, Bardmoor, Jim & Heather Gills) To enroll, go to stpeteymca.org/programs/livestrong-at-the-y/ or call (727) 235-6472. Open to nonmembers.
• The YMCA Weight Loss Program is designed for people 18 years or older who want to achieve a healthier weight by making small changes to daily behaviors and forming sustainable, healthier habits. Participants will design an action plan that will bring longterm, positive change. The next session begins May 23 and meets Thursdays from 6-7 pm at the Bardmoor YMCA. To learn more, go to stpeteymca.org/programs/weight-loss/ or call (727) 235-6472.
• Parkinson’s Disease Programs support individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and their care partners. They aim to provide a supportive community and instill hope by optimizing function and restoring independence. Classes include Total Parkinson’s, an exercise program for various ability levels, and Mindful Movement, a therapeutic, adaptive yoga class. Exercise plans are adapted to meet all levels of the disease, valuable to newly diagnosed and progressed states alike. A support group for caregivers and one-on-one personal training are also offered. For more information, go to stpeteymca.org/ programs/parkinson-s-disease-programs/ or call (727) 235-6472.
Just feel like moving? Check out these adult classes:
• Adult YMCA Dance Academy can bring out your inner dancer in a series of classes including Aerial Silk Dance, Jazz Funk, Ballet/Contemporary, and Tap. Space is limited; stpeteymca.org/ programs/dance-classes-for-adults/
• Pump it up a notch with high-energy fitness in one of the LES MILLS™ classes. With music to motivate, they are guaranteed to get your energy and your heart rate up. Classes include BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyBalance, Core and Grit, along with Tone and Step classes. (Available at Bardmoor, Jim & Heather Gills and Speer).
New YMCA Teams With Magnet School in Healthy Partnership
The new Speer YMCA in North Pinellas brings a unique concept to Tampa Bay when the adjacent Mangrove Bay Middle School opens this fall. The 75,000-square-foot stateof-the-art Speer Y opened in December with a brand new fitness center, gymnasium, aquatics center, a technology lab and culinary center. When it opens, Mangrove Bay Middle School will be a health and wellness leadership magnet school, creating a shared 19-acre health and education campus with Speer.
The innovative collaboration by Pinellas County Schools and the YMCA is a joint vision focused on developing local leaders in healthy living and service learning. The campus, designed by St. Petersburg architecture firms Harvard Jolly and Wannemacher Jensen, is the first of its kind in Tampa Bay. Shared facilities will include the gym, the track and field areas, a teaching garden, the culinary center, and a dining hall.
“It will serve as a gathering place for area residents, offering services, summer camp opportunities for children, local athletic activities, and comprehensive health and wellness programs,” said David Jezek, President and CEO of YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, in a press release. “As a partner with the Pinellas County School District, we’ll provide much-needed after-school care for Mangrove Bay Middle School students, complementing their in-school learning. However, this facility is not just for kids. Adults, seniors and families will have access to a wide range of health and wellness programs, from sports and wellness to nutrition and active living.”
The $50 million campus is jointly funded between the YMCA and Pinellas County School Board. Critical funding was received through support from the Dr. James and Heather Gills family and the Hough Family Foundation, however the funding campaign is still underway.
Speer YMCA is located at 495 62nd Avenue NE in St. Petersburg, FL. For more information, go to stpeteymca.org or call (727) 895-9622.
