Williams YMCA of Avery County

+1 828-737-5500

We can’t wait to see you tomorrow!! Here is a little what to expect when you return to the gym. Our hours will remain M-F 8-7pm until we are able to have staff return. You’ll be expected to wear a mask and have your temperature taken at the door before scanning in. Then you can continue into the building while still wearing your mask, until getting to your machine or the pool deck. You may remove the mask for vigorous exercise but must wear it while walking the track or in between. Please wipe down your machines after using them, and a wellness coach will be continuously cleaning as well. We WILL be shutting down from 1:30-2:30 for a deep cleaning of the whole facility. Also, our wellness staff will be keeping a count of those entering the wellness area to ensure we keep under the 30% capacity guideline. Welcome Back!!!

Did you know the Arthur Youth Center has re-opened AND changed locations? Drop in child care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years is available while you use the YMCA! The Arthur Youth Center is located in Suite 110 of the Sloop Medical Plaza (across the lobby from the YMCA). Temporary new hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4-7pm Tuesday and Thursday 9am-1pm Our childcare team can't wait to see your kids! We have missed them!!!

Attention: Spin at 4:45 will be cancelled today!

Happy Labor Day! Today we have reopened our Wellness Center at 30% capacity. Here is a little what you can expect when you join us. -Our hours are M-F 8-7pm until we are able to have staff return. -You’ll be expected to wear a mask and have your temperature taken at the door before scanning in. -You do not have to wear your mask when preforming vigorous exercise on a cardio machine. When using weight machines, free weights, or walking the track please keep your mask on. ...-Please wipe down your machines before and after using them to help our wellness coaches keep the space clean and sanitized for everyone. -We WILL be shutting down from 1:30-2:30 for a deep cleaning of the whole facility. -Wellness staff will be keeping a count of those entering the wellness area to ensure we keep under the 30% capacity guideline. We can't wait to see you this week, Welcome Back!!!

BodyPump at 5:30pm is cancelled tonight!

A huge THANK YOU to Avery High School Environmental Club for cleaning up trash around the YMCA and Cannon Memorial Hospital!!!

We are excited to announce that beginning October 5th we are expanding our facility hours, opening the Blackburn Athletics Facility, O'Connell Field House and drop in Childcare. Group Exercise classes will also be moving indoors! The updated hours are as follows: Main YMCA: M-F 5am-7pm ... Blackburn Athletic Facility and O'Connell Field House M-F 8am-12pm, 4pm-7pm Childcare: M/W/F 4-7pm and T/Th 9am-1pm Pool: 7am-7pm Group Exercise classes will be re-located to the Blackburn Athletic facility starting Oct 5th. View the October Group Exercise Schedule here: https://ac28902c-e07c-4d52-897e-b949646fc707.filesusr.com/ If you are interested in reserving one of the gyms for a team practice, please contact Karen Fugate at [email protected] To reserve a batting cage, lap lane, or golf simulator please visit our website and click on 'Schedule an Appointment' at https://www.ymcaavery.com/. You can schedule from the website at any time as long as you are an active member! Please feel free to call the YMCA at 828-737-5500 with any questions! We look forward to seeing you soon!

BodyPump at 5:30pm is cancelled today as we move all of the Group Exercise equipment to the Blackburn Athletic Facility for classes next week! Don’t forget that starting Monday, 10/5, Group Exercise classes will be indoors at the Blackburn Athletic Facility. You will now be able to check in before class at that location

Did you know that we have added a new Wellness Area for those who are looking for extra space and a quiet atmosphere? This area is located downstairs past the Group Exercise Studio and can serve 14 people at a time. Wellness Coaches are moving between the Upstairs Wellness Center and this new area every hour to ensure everyone is safe and equipment is cleaned. For more information about what is located downstairs please visit our website at: www.ymcaavery.com

Snow day alert! The YMCA has some spots open in our snow camp program! We offer a $25/day drop in rate, or a monthly rate of $75/month for members and $100/month for non-members. We provide help with remote learning, along with lots of fun activities. Please contact Katie Croland at [email protected] for more information!

8:30am Active is cancelled due to the weather this morning!

Congratulations to our Employees of the Year! Double trouble!!!! Sonia Polechio, our Membership/Chaos Coordinator and Lucy Corning, best swim lesson instructor ever and lifeguard!

The YMCA is excited to offer Remote Learning Camp from Thursday, 12/10 through Friday 12/18. This will be from 8:00 - 4:00 and will be free of charge. We are accepting students K-5. To register, please email Katie Croland at [email protected], or call the front desk at 828-737-5500 by tomorrow morning! Thank you! :)

Lets talk about wearing a mask while exercising! Many of you know that face coverings are now required while inside gyms and fitness centers as per executive order. While we know this is not ideal, it CAN be done! We are wearing our masks to keep YOU and our staff as safe as possible and to ensure that the Y can remain open. Exercise is so important, especially now! Researchers found that as little as 20 minutes of exercise can have anti-inflammatory effects that boost yo...ur immune system. Chronic health conditions impacting millions of Americans including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes can cause complications and significantly increase the chances of hospitalization and death for those who contract COVID-19. We don’t have time to put off exercise until it’s convenient; the pandemic is not going to simply vanish. At the Y, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and cleanliness. Check out these tips for exercising in a mask and then come try it, we promise its not as bad as you think! While it is safe to wear a mask while exercising, you might want to reduce your activity level until your body adjusts. Wearing a mask decreases airflow which can affect breathing and your body’s ability to regulate body temperature as it normally does. It is untrue that masks trap carbon dioxide (CO2) and can make you sick. Until your body gets used to wearing a mask during exercise, you should perform low or moderate exercise rather than vigorous exercise when you have a mask on. Use the talk test to assess your fitness level: Low to moderate exercisers can talk but not sing while exercising. Vigorous exercise results in few words without pausing for a breath. Mask material should be no more than 2 layers. Experts recommend you DO NOT wear an N95 masks as they have been found to increase overall breathing discomfort. A silicone bracket can help you feel more comfortable by holding the mask farther away from your mouth. These brackets are inexpensive and available by sellers like Amazon and also at the YMCA membership desk. Masks should always cover both your nose and your mouth to keep you and others safe. Masks should fit securely and not shift so you can avoid touching your face to adjust your mask. Bring a spare mask in case your mask gets sweat-soaked as dampness can make your mask less effective. See more

Lap lane reservation clarification: If you do not book a lane at the pool, you are still able to use the pool (a lane is not guarantee though). Reservations have first priority. You can also continue using a lane after your one hour slot has ended if the pool is not crowded and no one is waiting on a lane to open up. Lastly, you do not have to swim laps in your reserved lane, you are able to exercise as you please. I hope this helps answer any questions any of you may have.

Just a reminder that our whole facility closes down each day from 1:30-2:30 for a deep cleaning! Thank you for your understanding!

BodyPump UNITED new release launch this week!!! Join us tonight at 5:30pm or tomorrow at 12:00pm at the Blackburn Athletic Facility! Not a member and want to give it a try? Comment below and we will have a guest pass for you!

If you are looking for a way to give back to our community then stop by the YMCA front desk and give the gift of warmth, it’s like a social distant hug. We are taking donations for hats, mittens and coats. You can have your name displayed giving $1 for mittens, $5 for hats and. $10 for coats for people in our community in need.