COVID-19 has radically changed the way gyms and wellness facilities do business, and the local YMCA is no exception.
Over the past year, staff members have been wearing masks, people have been spaced out and had their temperatures scanned, and surfaces have been carefully sanitized. But the Y has not stopped there.
To help area residents get back to the activities and friends they have been missing, The Ponte Vedra and Nocatee Y’s — as well as the entire First Coast YMCA — have responded to the challenges posed by the pandemic with a number of new strategies. Here’s a look.
The First Coast YMCA has initiated its first-ever, member-exclusive virtual fitness offering designed to keep members engaged in their wellness journey while working at home.
The new platform, offered through FORTE, will give members access to real-time and immersive fitness experiences. It will make home workouts with members’ favorite Y fitness instructors a viable alternative to in-person individual and group training.
Members have an option to engage with each other through live-stream or experience their favorite classes via the Y’s virtual workout library.
“At the Y, we pride ourselves on working with our members as they navigate their personal wellness journeys,” said Eric K. Mann, president and CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “While we’ve upgraded each of our 15 facilities to follow the most stringent health and safety protocols amidst the coronavirus, we recognize some members may prefer to continue their fitness routine from home. We are proud to offer our members access to the most innovative and unparalleled virtual fitness experience through this virtual offering.”
The platform will provide Y members an upgraded virtual experience featuring daily exclusive classes like yoga, Total Body Conditioning, BodyCombat, SoulBody BARRE and active adult workouts with seamless streaming.
Members also have the option to “favorite” classes, engage with other participants through two-way video functionality, group chat and private message with other participants, compete with friends on the leaderboard in a live class and earn Sweat Points during workouts.
Y members will receive automatic access to the virtual platform at no additional cost. Non-members may still access select livestreamed workouts on the First Coast YMCA Facebook page, Facebook.com/FirstCoastYMCA.
In addition to this initiative, the Y has recognized the impact of coronavirus-driven social isolation on mental health.
To meet this challenge, the Y has developed new curricula across its youth development and early-learning programs. This year, the Y’s teen camp curriculum addressed the importance of mental health, and recently the Y hosted a Teen Mental Health Conference.
“People come here to lift weights and get on a treadmill; they also come here to see their friends,” said Charlie Chacos, executive director at the Ponte Vedra and Nocatee YMCA branches. “It’s a place of community, also. It’s not just a place to work out.”
One of the biggest innovations — and one that will remain with the facilities after COVID-19 is no longer an issue — is the addition of a state-of-the-art air purification system across all 15 branches of First Coast YMCA. It has an upward air flow and a UV disinfection system.
“Basically, we’ve got the cleanest air in Jacksonville, is how I like to put it,” said Chacos.
In addition, the Y has worked with Flagler Health+’s HealthySite+ to incorporate contact tracing.
“We had over 600 kids play basketball here in the winter, and we had teams and games,” said Chacos. “You need to know who’s sick, and who needs to stay home for little bit.”
As more people get vaccinated, members are returning to the Y. In fact, the Nocatee YMCA branch actually opened in November.
“We were fortunate enough to open a branch in the middle of a pandemic,” said Chacos. “And Nocatee’s growth has actually been tremendous.”
To learn more about the Y’s virtual offering or to become a member, go to FCYMCA.org/new-virtual-services.
“Come check us out,” said Chocos. “I think you would be impressed with our safety measures. And also, it would be good to see your friends.”
