A day at the Y

It’s a homey place that bustles with activity and friendly chatter.

By: Stephanie Brown
   Talking to members and staff of the South Brunswick Family YMCA, one gets the idea that the facility is more than a building that houses a gym or a pool — it’s a home.
   "It has the right feel to it," said township resident Kimiko Obayasai after her Aqua Fit pool aerobics class Wednesday morning. "The human touch — that’s what our society is losing today, and that’s what the Y gives."
   On an ordinary day, the YMCA is bustling with activity and friendly chatter.
   Wednesday was no different.
   The sound of children playing — and in one unfortunate case, crying — emanated from Kids Korner, the baby-sitting service provided by the YMCA. Kids Korner enables parents to enjoy the facilities without kids in tow. Moms and dads need simply drop their children off and pick them back up when they’re finished with their KardioJab or YogaFLEX class. The service is free for those with family memberships and $5 for those without.
   Joyce D’Angiolillo of Monmouth Junction dropped her twin 4-year-old boys and 3-year-old daughter off before heading over to the Fitness Center. The stay-at-home mom said she comes to the YMCA to get out of the house and appreciates having the time to herself.
   "I can bring the kids here with me and know they’re safe," she said. "And I know they’re having fun.
   "Look, they don’t even care about me anymore," she added with a laugh as one of the twins dug into the toy box.
   Over at the Fitness Center, member Suzee Gruber of Monmouth Junction broke a sweat on the exercise bike. She said she chose to workout at the YMCA as opposed to a larger sports club because it’s not as intimidating.
   "It’s family here," she said. "Every time I come in, I know everyone."
   Ms. Gruber’s father, Andre Gruber, is the former chairman of the YMCA’s board of directors, so to her, the Y really is family, she said.
   Only members age 16 and up are allowed in the Fitness Center. However, the Y offers a special class so younger teens, like Ms. Gruber’s 13-year-old and 15-year-old, can join their parents in the gym for a family workout session.
   The EDGE (Experienced, Disciplined Graduate of Exercise) is a fitness program that trains students 13 to 16 years old in cardiovascular and muscle fitness. After completion of the course, students who pass a final test are granted access to the fitness room. The EDGE class costs $250 and is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.
   Programs like the EDGE are unique unto the YMCA, said TC Huen, one of the Fitness Center’s personal trainers
   "Other gyms are looking to get members that pay monthly and are not geared toward the family," he explained. "It’s more of a relaxed atmosphere here versus something at like a Gold’s Gym."
   Comfort is one of the reasons 20-year-old Amy Deyhle of Plainsboro joined the YMCA four months ago. Since taking a year off from competitive figure skating, Ms. Deyhle turned to her community YMCA to help her get back into shape.
   "I was going to join Curves, but I felt like it was meant specifically for older women, and I wouldn’t feel right there," she said April 17, pausing between reps on a weight machine. "The people here are really nice, and know what they’re doing.
   "And I like that there’s actually always a machine open," she added.
   Another area at the YMCA where members go to improve their health and fitness is the pool.
   Marilyn Nusbaum of Dayton and Mittie Waddell of Kendall Park take the Aqua Fit class with Ms. Obayasai on Wednesday mornings.
   Ms. Nusbaum recently moved to the area and joined the YMCA in February. The retired nurse clinician said staying active is important to her, especially since she suffers from arthritis and back pain.
   Ms. Waddell, a retired North Brunswick High School teacher, said attending the class in the early morning gets her ready for the day ahead.
   "It gets your adrenaline going, you know?" she said.
   Ms. Waddell, who has been a member since 2001, said she remains loyal to the facility because of the mix of professionalism and friendliness the staff provides.
   "If you have a question about anything, or want to work on a certain body part, like knees, they’ll research it and come up with something special for you," she said. "They go out of their way, because they’re concerned about the total person."
   In the afternoons and evenings, the pool becomes a very busy place between swim lessons and adult and family swim time.
   "A typical day at the pool is full, very full," said Aquatic Director Tobree Mostel-Estrada. Ms. Mostel-Estrada said she had to add two more swim lesson classes to accommodate the number of people who wanted to sign up.
   More than a program director, Ms. Mostel-Estrada is a customer service representative, spending the majority of her day talking with parents.
   "The classes are structured not only teach children how to swim, but involve the parents as well," she said April 17.
   "I think we build solid relationships with people, and that’s real important to us," said Business Manager Maureen DeBlasio.
   Ms. DeBlasio has been an employee of the YMCA for almost 25 years; she’s been with the YMCA since it began. Not only are the members treated like family, she said, but the staff is as well.
   "It’s a nice feeling to know I’m not just a Social Security number," Ms. DeBlasio said.
   At the YMCA, the one-big-family feeling is conveyed in every smile and "hi, how are ya?" she added.
   Perhaps the best known smile is that of welcome center receptionist Mary Powers. Referred to by Reception Administrator Brian Remite as the "face of the YMCA," Ms. Powers greets just about all those who enter the YMCA by their first name. While she has worked at the YMCA for less than three years, Ms. Powers has lived in Monmouth Junction for over two decades.
   "People come in here who I’ve known for years," she said. "If you live here, you know everybody. It’s not that big of a town."
   Members of all ages, race, shapes and sizes join the YMCA for various reasons — to take swim lessons, work out, make friends — but they all say they stay because of one thing.
   "You’re not treated like a number here," said Ms. Nusbaum. "They treat us as human beings should be treated."
   For more information on programs provided by the YMCA visit www.southbrunswickymca.org or call (732) 329-1150.