The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is offering a slate of 10 free online workout classes per week beginning on May 17.
“Successive lockdowns are taking their toll on people’s mental health and we know that physical activity can help,” said Rob Adams, CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “Anticipating today’s provincial announcement to extend the lockdown, our staff wanted to help by doing what they do best – helping people get up and get moving!”
While YMCA Canada continues to offer free online workouts through YMCA at Home, the Y in Eastern Ontario wanted to connect with its members by offering free local workouts as was done during the first provincial closure.
Classes run from 30 minutes to one hour in duration and cover a range of exercises for persons of all abilities from sit-fit, gentle stretch and seniors strength to the more vigorous rip, tabata and cardio blast.
“We really miss seeing our members and hope they know that we’re thinking of them,” said Adams. “This is one of the ways we trying to continue to serve our communities during the pandemic.”
The YMCA of Eastern Ontario has offered emergency childcare to essential workers during the pandemic, as well as providing access to its Kingston facility to Artillery Park members while that location was being used as a temporary shelter, provides transportation for residents of rural Leeds Grenville to vaccination sites, and has provided new service to Seely’s Bay, Sydenham and Rideau Heights. The agency is also exploring new partnerships like those with Providence Manor and the Town of Prescott.
“I’m so proud of my team,” Adams said. “We always say that service is in the YMCA DNA and our staff have proved this time and time again.”
Beginning May 17, information about local workouts will be available at the Y’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts as well as on its website.