
Adult classes offered by the YMCA are intended to keep people healthy and active.
The Y's adult classes are divided into the following categories:
Free to Member
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The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo offers a variety of ways to encourage personal fitness for every member of the family. See descriptions of our Free to Member Classes below.
Active Together
Active Together gives you all the fitness training you need - cardio, strength, balance, and flexibility - all in just one hour. Get stronger, fitter, and healthier with inspiring music, dumbbells, weight plates, body weight, and simple athletic movements.
Class Locations
- Portage
Barre Above®
Barre is a fusion of yoga, Pilates, strength training, and ballet. Barre classes incorporate specific sequencing patterns and isometric movements that target specific muscle groups. This pattern of exercise helps to improve strength, balance, flexibility, and posture.
Class Locations
- Portage
- Maple
Bokwa®
A fun, multi-level intensity class where members move in the direction of letters, numbers, and symbols - all to pop hits! There's no choreography to learn, no twisting or turning, and the class is hearing-impaired friendly.
Class Locations
- Maple
Cardio Kickboxing
Punch and kick your way in to fitness. Put your body through high and low intensity martial arts-influenced techniques to feel even more empowered.
Class Locations
- Maple
Group Cycling
Group cycling is an awesome workout on a stationary bike - it is designed to simulate a road bike experience. Stimulating music and coaching are included for motivation. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or a beginning rider, this is a great class to get you in shape and/or maintain your cardiorespiratory endurance.
Class Locations
- Portage
- Maple
Hi/Lo
A class for those who like to move and dance on the floor - no step. The instructor demonstrates low- and high-impact options so all fitness levels can participate. Abdominal work and stretching included.
Class Locations
- Portage
Insanity®
A revolutionary cardio-based total body conditioning program based on the principles of MAX Interval Training. By using MAX Interval Training, Insanity will push you to new training heights, resulting in more calories burned, faster results, and a more efficient metabolism.
Class Locations
- Maple
Les Mills Body Combat
This high-energy martial arts-inspired workout is totally non-contact and there are no complex moves to master. A Les Mills instructor will challenge you to up the intensity and motivate you to make the most of every round. You'll release stress, have a blast, and feel like a champ.
Class Locations
- Portage
Les Mills BodyFlow
Ideal for anyone and everyone, BodyFlow® is a yoga-based class that will improve your mind, your body, and your life, as you bend and stretch through a series of simple yoga moves and embrace elements of Tai Chi and Pilates.
Class Locations
- Maple
Les Mills BodyPump
BodyPump is a barbell workout for anyone looking to get lean, toned, and fit fast. Using light to moderate weights with lots of repetition, this class gives you a total body workout.
Class Locations
- Portage
- Maple
Pilates
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced participant, Pilates helps you tone and strengthen every part of your body. This popular form of exercise focuses on stabilization, concentration, control, flow, breath, and precision. Our Pilates mat classes review the following movement techniques: neutral spine, core engagement, C-curve, spinal articulation, and more. All exercises can be modified so you can work at your own level.
Class Locations
- Portage
- Maple
Pound
Drum your way to a fun cardio workout.
Class Locations
- Maple
Power Up!
Lift your own body and get stronger! Traditional bodyweight exercises will increase your muscle strength and endurance. Let's see what you can do!
Class Locations
- Maple
Step Nice-N-Easy
This basic Step class is an overall workout designed to increase cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. Core strengthening exercises are included.
Class Locations
- Portage
Step & Strength and Step Interval
These low-impact step classes are designed to burn fat, strengthen muscles, and improve your cardiovascular endurance, with or without using an adjustable step.
Step/Strength Interval: cardio and resistance training alternate every 5-7 minutes to give you an awesome workout. Core work also included.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Strength
(this follows the Step class on Mon/Wed mornings)
Develop strength and stability using a variety of resistance tools that will work all your major muscle groups. Equipment may include weights, bands, balls and more to help you achieve your goals. Great for any fitness level.
Class Locations
- Portage
Strength in Motion
Maximize your muscle strength through functionally challenging movements and exercises. You'll incorporate plyometric and agility training with strength and corework - you'll become strong, fast! An intermediate level of fitness is suggested.
Class Locations
- Maple
Moving For Better Balance®
This 12-week program teaches participants balance skills and proper body alignment by using coordinated and flowing movements. The course is designed for older adults who can walk easily with or without assistive devices. We'll help you develop greater flexibility and more confidence.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Zumba®
Perfect for everybody and every body! We take the "work" out of workout by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you'll see why Zumba® fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Specialty Classes
Collapsible
Kettlebell
You'll learn basic kettlebell exercises (swings) along with additional compound exercises (squats, lunges, presses) for a total-body workout. Your cardiorespiratory and muscle strength will improve along with core strength and joint stability. Participants should have a basic understanding of resistance training exercises. An introductory session is recommended before taking this class. (This is not a traditional kettlebell class.)
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Peak Fit Boot Camp
Peak Fit Boot Camp is a challenging workout with specific exercises lasting 10 - 30 seconds each, taking participants to a high anaerobic level, followed by a brief recovery period. High intensity class.
Class Locations
- Portage
TRX Balance and Strength
TRX Balance and Strength combines the benefits of suspension training with with Yoga and Pilates moves that focus on balance, core strength, and flexibility.
Class Locations
- Maple
TRX Suspension Training
TRX is a workout system that leverages gravity and your bodyweight to perform exercises. You're in control of how much you want to challenge yourself on each exercise because you can simply adjust your body position to add or decrease resistance. Suspension training develops strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability simultaneously.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Basic Yoga
Increase range of motion and flexibility with this introduction to traditional Iyengar style yoga. Poses will be modified based on the ability of each student. Breathing exercises and restorative postures will help relieve stress. No previous experience required.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Basic to Intermediate Yoga
Incorporating yoga postures, relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises will help you increase muscular strength and flexibility, balance the body, and calm the mind. Various props such as blocks, bolsters, blankets, and straps are routinely used. An understanding and familiarity with basic yoga movements is helpful, but not required.
Class Locations
- Maple
Intermediate Yoga
Dynamically align your body with your breath before the rest of the day unfolds. Heart-centered yoga is for those who wish to take their practice to the next level. Have fun while strengthening your body and improving flexibility.
Class Locations
- Maple
Fitness Yoga
Yoga with a fitness focus! This class conditions the body by building muscle strength, increasing flexibility, and improving stamina. Yoga poses strengthen the core, improve posture, and relieve stress. Not a traditional yoga class. All fitness levels welcome.
Class Locations
- Portage
Prenatal Yoga
Relax and release tension mindfully during pregnancy. Help improve your balance, circulation, and strengthen your muscles to help your body adapt to the wonderful changes that are taking place. This class will provide restful and restorative poses where you can find peace and harmony. No previous experience required. A physician's clearance is recommended.
Class Locations
- Maple
Restorative Yoga
Renew and relax with this restorative-style yoga class. Gain flexibility, improve balance, and increase range of motion through yoga postures, modified for your personal needs and abilities. Learn coping skills for our stressful world with breathing exercises, restorative poses, and relaxation techniques. No previous yoga experience required.
Class Locations
- Maple
Silver Sneakers® Yoga
Yoga will move your whole body through a series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of postures designed to increase flexibility, balance, and range of movement. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation will promote stress reduction and mental clarity.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Vinyasa Yoga
A balanced combination of vinyasa flowing and longer holding poses. Classes incorporate progressive sequences focusing on alignment that gently builds to a more rhythmic pace. Body and mind come together with this centering and invigorating flow. During class, students are encouraged to explore all the benefits of each posture within the boundaries and framework of their own individual expressions. Classes are set to music and open to all levels.
Class Locations
- Portage
Recreation
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Get involved with the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo's adult recreation classes!
Adult Golf Lessons
Participants will learn the full swing, short game, and sand through video analysis and playing lessons. Clubs and balls will be provided. Must be 16 years or older.
Class Locations
- The Dome in Schoolcraft
Badminton
Play Badminton in the South Gym at Maple. Meet friends, have fun, and get active!
Class Locations
- Maple
Fencing
This class teaches participants about the sport of fencing from skilled instructors with Triblade Academy. Equipment is provided; please wear comfortable gym attire.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Pickleball
A paddle and whiffle ball sport, Pickleball was created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn... yet pickleball can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players! The sport combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a badminton-sized court using a slightly modified tennis net.
EFFECTIVE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9: Pickleball will be open for drop-in play. Please make note of the following changes:
- Court time will be available per the gym schedule and can be found in the schedule section of the website. Click here.
- Only two courts will be open for play at a time (a maximum of 8 persons on the court playing at one time.)
- Up to four people can be waiting on the court at one time for their turn to play. (This increases the number of people in the pickleball area up to 12.)
- All other persons must wait off the court area for their turn and must practice social distance rules.
- There are no bleachers or chairs available at this time.
- People who are not social distancing will be asked to leave the facility.
- Masks must be worn at all times as well as when playing.
- After each game, members must wipe their ball off with the antibacterial wipes that are available in the gym.
- A sanitized ball will be used for each game played.
- Players must provide their own equipment.
- Portage
Racquetball Ladders
A competitive one-hour session where opponents play 6 ten-minute games. No sign up is needed, just show up. Eye protection is required.
Class Locations
- Maple
Racquetball Morning Madness
Wake up early and get your exercise in for the day. Play follows a round robin format. No sign up is required. Eye protection is required.
Class Locations
- Maple
Arts and Humanities
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Piano Lab
Presented by the Gilmore Keyboard Festival's education department.
Adult Beginner Piano Lab
Ages 18+
Small group piano lessons for adults with no previous piano or music reading experience. Digital pianos and folders will be provided--students are required to purchase a music book. Practice time outside of class is recommended-The YMCA Piano Lab will have open practice hours available. Participants must contact Adam Schumaker, Gilmore Director of Education, to schedule their specific class day and time.
Contact
Adam Schumaker, Director of Education, at 269-342-1166.
Martial Arts
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The YMCA offers adult martial arts classes. Learn more below!
Taekwondo Youth and Family
Taekwondo offers a great way for more experienced children and adults to build confidence, self-esteem, respect, discipline, strength, flexibility and patience in a teamwork setting. Our instructor will teach you to channel energy into a positive attitude in a fun and active atmosphere.
Class Locations
- Maple
Tai Chi for Arthritis
This is a program designed to improve quality of life and relieve pain through guided movements. Benefits include increased energy, balance, flexibility, mobility, and range of movement.
Class Locations
- Maple
Active Older Adults
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The YMCA offers Active Older Adult fitness and aquatic classes to help senior citizens stay strong and independent. We also offer social events and activities at both of our locations. Contact Shashu Baraka, AOA Coordinator, at 269-459-4856