Exercising at a YMCA Helps With Your Personal Physical Fitness Goals

The YMCA - which stands for the Young Men's Christian Association - has been around for over 150 years, in one form or another. As an association, it promotes the health and well being of its members. In fact, its philosophy promotes a healthy body, mind and spirit. As a part of that, YMCA gyms offer many of the basic features that are necessary to stay in shape and promote overall physical fitness. Compared with many commercial gyms, YMCA gyms tend to cost a lot less. Many YMCAs base their fees on a person's ability to pay, based on their total income. In this way, the YMCA encourages the participation of anyone interested.

The Basics Of the YMCA Gym

Most YMCA gyms offer basic weightlifting equipment; many also include exercise machines like treadmills and stationary bikes in order to encourage cardiovascular fitness. Swimming pools are very common features at most YMCAs, where they are used to promote cardiovascular health along with flexibility. Along with many types of standard gym equipment, many YMCA gyms also have basketball courts, volleyball courts, racquetball courts and other areas for participating in group sports of all kinds. In this way, joining a YMCA gym makes it easy to stay in shape by doing many different activities.

Joining The YMCA

YMCA gyms are located all around the world. There are more than 2,600 YMCAs in the United States alone. The YMCA is open to men and boys; women are encouraged to join the YWCA, which is geared toward and open to women and girls. However, many YMCAs now also include family oriented programs and facilities, allowing mothers, fathers and children to all stay fit together under the same roof.