LOS ALTOS Y MAKES HEALTHY IMPROVEMENTS

 

by: Josh Marks

 

 

The Los Altos YMCA couldn’t wait until their 50^th anniversary in 2005 to start celebrating - they are making various program changes and building improvements to kick off this year.

 

The YMCA, located at 1720 Bellflower Blvd., is trying to attract more members as well as enhance the experience for existing members.

 

With the building in need of a facelift, some renovations were made.  “We’ve tried to improve the aesthetics by painting new ceiling tiles, upgrading the locker room and painting the whole facility,” said Executive Director Erin Ruymen.

 

One of the more noticeable changes to the property will not be in the actual building.  According to Ruymen, there are plans to take down the hockey rink due to lack of interest and replace it with more parking.

 

Programming changes include expanding the healthy lifestyle program.  They have a new circuit of strength training equipment; and have added treadmills, cross-trainers, stair climbers and recumbent bicycles to some of the rooms that were used for other purposes.

 

Healthy lifestyle also includes reaching out to families.  Ruymen said that most of the group exercise members have been mostly seniors - and that these activities will continue - however, they also “hope to promote greater family lifestyle programming as well as greater participation of families in healthy lifestyle programming.”  Families are encouraged to participate in such activities as swimming lessons and Tae Kwon Do.  While the parents are exercising, activities are being offered to the children through a program called “Child Watch.”

 

A partnership with the CSULB Physical Education Department will include pre and post testing of a Yoga class being offered to inviduals 50 and up(other Yoga/Pilates classes will be available to all ages).  Student interns will also assess fitness levels as well as lead in other programs.  A five week Holistic wellness class will also be offered.

 

“(We are) looking to set up (the YMCA) as a nutrition counseling center, with fitness programs as well as health education, medical screenings and nutritional counseling – so it would be a total health facility,” said Ruymen.

 

The Los Altos YMCA has recently expanded their weekend hours, they are now open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday as well as 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the week.  For more information on all the changes that have been taking place at the Y, including specific information on the Yoga, Holistic Health and Fitness, and Circuit Buster classes call (562) 596-3394.