At the start of every year, it seems everyone wants to slim down and hit the gym. The Covington Family Y is looking to help that endeavor by waiving its new membership fees and membership reactivation fees in January.
A single membership normally costs $69, a family membership $99 and a membership reactivation fee $35, but all of those fees are being waived for January, said Membership Director Kacie Brown.
"A lot of the time, we hear the big initial fee is an issue. People usually say they can pay the monthly fee, so it’s nice that this one barrier is being removed," Brown said.
Monthly rates are less expensive if a current Y member refers you, costing $44 per month for an adult and $68 for a family. Standard monthly rates are $54 for a single adult and $84 for a family.
However, one of the hallmarks of the Y is its financial assistance program, and the Covington Y holds an annual fundraiser to be able to offer reduced membership fees to those who need them.
"The Y is all inclusive and no one is ever turned away because they can’t afford it," Director Louly Hay-Kapp said previously.
Donations can be made anytime to the Y, located at 2104 Newton Drive, Covington.
The Covington Y has exercise classes for adults and seniors, as well as a variety of recreation programs for youth.
For more information visit in person, call 770-787-3908 or visit the website at ymcaatlanta.org/cvy/.
January class schedule
The group exercise classes are some of the most popular options at the Y, and the January class schedule has been switched up, including the addition of a new course.
One of the newest additions is a "Core Strength and Balance" class that focuses on strengthening muscles from the pelvis through the shoulders with the goal of reducing the chance of back pain and injury, improving posture and improving strength in the entire body. The class is at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, and is taught by certified personal trainer Tracey Ashall, a fairly new addition to the staff.
Brown said the Y tries to offer a variety of classes, from low impact classes like Pilates, Yoga and "Cardio Line Dancing" to high-intensity classes like the Tabata-style (high-intesnity interval training) "H.I.I.T. Fit," "BODYPUMP" and other intense training.
"We offer a wider range of classes from beginner to advanced. And a lot of these classes are go at your own pace, so the instructors will offer extra advice to those who are new and provide extra challenges to more advanced members," Brown said.
In addition, the Y always offers its wellness coach program, where an individual wellness coach will work with individual members to tailor workouts designed to meet the members’ goals.
The wellness coaches also teach members how to properly use all of the exercise machines and free weights.
"2014 is set to be an outstanding year for the Y as result of numerous upgrades to our facilities and staff," said Reggie Wilcox, referencing staff additions and the purchase of 20 new exercise bikes.
"I’m honored to be one of many all-star instructors, wellness coaches, trainers and staff members that take pride in giving back to our community by assisting our neighbors to improve their individual health & well-being."
