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Saturday, April 24, 2010

It's Fun to Stay at the...

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CC is listening to: Rhiannon--Fleetwood Mac (Greatest Hits)

The Village People were right.  The YMCA's pretty cool :-).

I have to admit, never having been to an actual YMCA before, the only perception I have of the YMCA is what they sing about in the video--and considering that video was shot in 1978, that's pretty darn outdated :-).

When Steve and I moved to Nashville, we saw 2 YMCAs just driving around the general area, and their parking lots are always packed.  Finally I decided to look them up online to see just exactly what kind of programs they offered. 

First I found out that there are four YMCAs in my area. Four!  I mean sure, Steve and I noticed that people seemed more health-conscious in Nashville, but four YMCAs just in the general vicinity?






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Not only was my curiosity piqued even more, but I also started thinking, "Gee maybe I should take a more serious look at getting more exercise."  I started browsing at the different centers' class schedules. 

Cycling.  Pilates (Beginner and Intermediate).  Sculpting.  Yoga (Hatha/Sivananda and Vini/Ashtanga/Kundalini).  Kickboxing.  Aqua Aerobics.  Tai Chi.  Circuit Training.  Step Aerobics.  BOSU.  Sports Conditioning.  Zumba.  Bellydancing.  Ballroom dancing (yes, really!).  Water Circuit.  Water Cardio.  Cardio Boxing.  Line Dancing (line dancing, for crying out loud :-)!).  Dance Toning.  Boot Camp. 

And I'm not talking about once a week here.  Many of the classes happen two, three times a week, some are everyday, just with different trainers.   AND they have all sorts of classes for seniors, and classes for kids.  To see the actual class schedules, click on these links:  Brentwood Family YMCA  |  YMCA of Cool Springs  |  Maryland Farms YMCA  |  Franklin Family YMCA

I remember being excited about all the different things I could try.  I also remember being a little disappointed, thinking, "Aww man, now I have no excuse not to get my exercise :-)." 

So I visited the nearest one: the YMCA of Cool Springs and they were very nice and I was given a tour of the facility.  I learned that each of the centers seems to have its own little "extra feature."  The Cool Springs one has a rock climbing wall.  WOO HOO :-D!

And get this--the cardio machines?  Treadmills, ellipticals?  Each one has a satellite TV screen attached to it.   If you bring your own headphones, you can get on one of them and watch satellite TV while you do your cardio.  Is that neat or what :-)? 

At the end of the tour they gave me a card that allows me to try out any of the classes at any of the YMCAs in the city before I decide if I'd like to become a member.

Long story short, I tried out a Zumba class on Wednesday, signed up for a city-wide (i.e. I can go to any YMCA in the city) membership Thursday morning, then went to another Zumba class at a different YMCA Thursday afternoon.  I'm having a blast :-).

I wish I could take my parents to try out the YMCA.  I'm sure they'd love the classes too.

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