YMCA South Australia Active Adults program recognised at industry awards

The YMCA South Australia Active Adults program has been named Program of the Year at the 2018 Recreation South Australia awards presentation.

YMCA Active Adults is a membership program offered at all YMCA South Australia managed recreation centres, tailored to improving the fitness, strength and balance of adults aged over 60.

The Active Adults membership offers a compelling set of targeted older adults programs, ranging from Aqua Fitness to yoga and the COTA approved Strength for Life.

Presented last week, YMCA South Australia General Manager Operations, Andrew Mundy, accepted the award and said the leading not-for-profit had developed the program in response to community needs, after wide consultation with older South Australians.

Mundy stated “we identified a demand for structured and accessible recreation options for older South Australians. The program has been positioned and promoted as a point of difference in recreation, aimed at creating positive health and lifestyle outcomes for older adults.”

YMCA Active Adults was launched at a pilot site in 2016 and was then expanded across eight YMCA South Australia managed recreation centres in 2017. The program has experienced an extraordinary 201% growth over the last 12 months.

Mundy added “the Active Adults program is a demonstration of the YMCA’s commitment to innovation in the recreation space. The award is great recognition of the work we’ve done and continue to do in targeted recreation programming.”

YMCA Active Adults membership includes:

• Unlimited access to aquatic areas
• Access to the gym during non-prime time
• Program specific Group Fitness (including Pilates, Body Balance and Active Hearts)
• Aqua fitness classes
• Dedicated older adult classes and programs (including Strength for Life and Pryme Movers)

The concept of the program centres on a low impact workout with high impact results. The program is individually designed to each person and takes into account their health, level of activity and physical and mental capabilities.

The YMCA Active Adults program has positively impacted both the program participants and the wider South Australian community through better health and lifestyle options.

Images: YMCA Active Adults has been acknowledged as an industry leading initiative (top) and Recreation South Australia Executive Officer Stu Ferenci presents YMCA South Australia General Manager Operations Andrew Mundy with the Program of the Year award (below).