The Plum Street YMCA in downtown Olympia makes access to a well-equipped gym affordable, and membership provides both personal fitness and a host of digital, health and wellness learning opportunities. By sharing favorite local spots, Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty strives to highlight the places Olympians visit for fun and community, and that certainly includes the neighborhood gym. The Plum Street Y is in a prime location for Downtown, Eastside and Westside residents with programs for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.
“I think what makes Plum Street different is that it’s our downtown community, so it’s an inclusive community,” says Leslie Baker, director of health and wellness for the South Sound YMCA. “We want people to know they are welcome here. Everyone is welcome here. We want people to know that if you live or work downtown, we want to be your YMCA.”
The Plum Street YMCA in Olympia is home to unique programs
In the name of health and wellness, the Plum Street YMCA also reaches out to the area’s homeless members. Through local nonprofit programs, such as the City of Olympia Homeless Response Team or the Capital Recovery Center, people can make an appointment for the shower program.
Also unique to the Plum Street YMCA, new members can sign up for a Kickstart meeting with a wellness representative or personal trainer to talk about goals and tour the facilities. This is completely optional and some members are just excited to explore the gym, choose their first fitness class and get started. Exercise is part of wellness at the Y, and Plum Street adds an extra health option with its saunas.
“There’s a dry sauna in the women’s locker room and a dry sauna in the men’s locker room,” says Baker. “That’s probably one of my favorite things. There are many studies that show that 30 minutes in the sauna every day is amazing for human growth hormones and helps you sleep better and open up your sinuses. I try to do 30 minutes a day if I can after I work out and it’s perfect. I go home and go straight to bed. It just amazes me.”
Sign up for children and youth programs at the Plum Street YMCA
Children and young people aged 3 to 13 can sign up for active, fun sessions held once a week for a month. Little Ninjas for 3- to 5-year-olds is about learning to roll, sneak and jump. Preschoolers can also learn the moves to begin ballet. Sensory LEGO play in Kidzone takes place in an area specially designed for children who are neurodivergent and children who have their best experiences in smaller, quieter group play.
“I think a lot of parents who work out here will be really excited to know that there are some youth programs, including Little Ninjas, coming to the Plum Street Y,” Baker says.
Two different age group Jazz Tap sessions are also offered at the Plum Street Y along with Sensory LEGO Play, D&D Club and Pokémon Club where players are invited to bring their cards.
Join fitness and health education classes at the Olympia Plum Street YMCA
Members have a lively variety of fitness classes to choose from at the Plum Street YMCA in Olympia. Strength Sculpt & Stretch, Zumba, Yoga, Tai Chi and Bodyattack classes mean variety. Body Pump classes are so popular that there are eight sessions each week. People come for every single class and it’s always full. Cycling classes at the Plum Street Cycling Studio are popular, as are exercise and balance classes for seniors, such as seated yoga.
“One of the great things about these classes,” Baker says of adult exercise classes, “and the reason they’re so popular is that they’re not just working out, they’re finding community. Seniors are finding their social network, especially after COVID, so you’ll see the same groups of seniors wanting to come and take lessons.”
Another option is to take the time to progress and be guided through a personal wellness course. You Are Not What You Eat is a 4-week nutrition course where members cover the 10 principles of intuitive eating, discuss topics in small groups, and explore nutrition-focused resources. Sprint 8G X is coached for a class of 8 to 10 members using special equipment, bikes and elliptical trainers. The 4-week 12-session Sprint 8G X program uses a combination of Sprint Interval Training with E-lift training to naturally burn fat and build muscle to improve blood chemistry.
Members can even participate and learn virtually. The South Sound YMCA Y mobile app gives members access to Plum Street’s in-house class schedules, and the YMCA 360 app presents virtual learning from many Y locations. Members have access to hundreds of live and pre-recorded art classes, kids’ science classes, nutrition, dance, cooking and group exercise.
With special focus sessions, exercise classes and wellness education opportunities, members find something for all age groups and fitness preferences. Check out the Plum Street YMCA website to learn more about all of their exciting programming.
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