EAST BRUNSWICK – The Raritan Valley YMCA is looking to help residents keep their New Year’s resolutions.
The Tices Lane facility has new programs aimed at keeping its members fit, and Executive Director Gina Stravic said the YMCA is trying to promote general health and wellness and fight the country’s obesity problem.
Stravic said the YMCA sees a spike in membership at this time of year, but people need to make a commitment to their New Year’s goals, whether it is to lose weight, gain muscle or just stay in shape. For those who do so, the YMCAseeks to offers a supportive social environment in which people are encouraged to stick to their programs, as well as meet new friends.
The new opportunities for youths and adults include guest passes good for up to three free visits to the YMCA’s Wellness Center (for ages 13 and up), or one free youth sports or fitness class for children. Another program involves a free parent membership to all families who have children enrolled full time in a YMCA infant, toddler or preschool day care center.
Also, allYmembers will be enrolled free of charge in the new Family Fit Club.
Stravic said the Family Fit Club is available for $60 per family member this year, and will offer a variety of activities. The program is broken into three-month runs, each different from the others. There will be four different activities each week, and members can attend as often as they like. Also, sixth-graders can now attend the wellness center for free as long as they come with an adult who has a paid membership of $426 per year.
“We are trying to get pre-teens to work out and be in a good environment,” she said
Seventh-graders and teens up through high school ages can join the wellness center for about $200 a year, she said.
“The need is as strong today as ever before,” Stravic said. “Families are under increasing stress and struggle to balance work, family and health, and to find supportive communities. Children struggle to develop the positive values, self-esteemand healthy habits that can be developed at the YMCA. Exercise is the cheapestmedication you can buy.”
“Families grow stronger and healthier by focusing goals on more than just adding minutes of exercise and cutting out unhealthy snacks,” said Leon Pogash, the Y’s senior programdirector. “TheYMCAis programming to help build healthier families for the long term.We have incorporated fitness into our day care, school-age child care, youth sports and camp programs.We are offering special membership programs and schedules for families.”
Formore information about the YMCA, a nonprofit organization that is open to residents of East Brunswick and the surrounding communities, visit the Web site at www.raritanvalleyymca.org or call (732) 254-4117.