Burbank YMCA New Equipment Prompts Rise In Interest And Motivation

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JoDee Geryak works through resistance on the spin bike at the YMCA. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

Burbank YMCA added scores of new exercise equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent bikes, indoor cycling bikes, stair-steppers and rowing machines recently. The YMCA has also seen a marked increase in attendance and use of the new, technology-integrated equipment.

“In less than a  month,  we have already noticed an increase in our traffic,” commented Healthy Lifestyles Director Maryam Faresh. “People are coming in to try the new cardio equipment. One of our members who usually has trouble staying motivated said, ‘I can’t believe I am actually excited to work out now!'”

New equipment in the cardio room is very popular at the Burbank YMCA. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)
New equipment in the cardio room is very popular at the Burbank YMCA. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

With nearly 7000 active members, the YMCA is one of the larger community organizations and exercise clubs in Burbank. The Y serves all ages and abilities, providing exercise classes, sports, nutritional information and child care. Leasing exercise equipment helps the nonprofit keep up with current advances in physical fitness technology.

“We upgrade our equipment every three years as we want to keep up with the growing trends in the fitness community,” added Faresh. “Members absolutely love the new equipment; they love the virtual terrain courses. Most of all they love how it is all web-based and they can save their workout history and view their progress to stay motivated and on track.”

Instructor JoDee Geryak demonstrates some jumps on the new spin bike for a YMCA class. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)
Instructor JoDee Geryak demonstrates some jumps on the new spin bike for a YMCA class. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

At a recent indoor cycling class led by instructor JoDee Geryak, the response to the new bikes in the spin studio was very positive.

“I think the new bikes are a lot more challenging from the old bikes,” commented Susan Rosen, who’s been attending spin classes at the YMCA since they began eight years ago. “These new bikes make you work a lot harder and more efficiently.”

“I really like the new bikes. The seat is more comfortable and it is a smooth ride,” added Geryak, who’s been teaching the indoor cycling classes since their inception at the Y. “I think this is a benefit for new and previous riders. The smoothness reminds me of being in the quietness of a hybrid.”

“As an instructor, I like that we can work our students in a different way. We can now be uniform in resistance and RPMs with the class,” she continued. “We have really given our classes a whole new dynamic, making for a better overall class.”

In the Wellness Studio, the two new rowing machines have been very popular since arriving, said Yvette Herrera, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement.

“The rowing machine is awesome,” said Karen Wade, who joined the YMCA just a few months ago, and was working out during a recent weekday morning. “I really like how fast the time goes and that I can see how many calories I’m burning.”

New equipment at the Burbank YMCA has prompted new motivation for members, including Karen Sequeira. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)
New equipment at the Burbank YMCA has prompted new motivation for members, including Karen Sequeira. (Photo By Lisa Paredes)

In the Cardio Room, new LifeFitness treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent and upright bikes, FlexStrider, StepMill and Cybex ArcTrainer complement the existing weight machines. The new machines were turned to face the windows and each exercise machine comes with a personal screen and a hardwired internet connection, so users can watch TV, check email or browse the web while getting in a workout.

The new terrain treadmills are a big hit, Herrera also said. Using actual video from various countries, people can run or walk through cities, mountains and other scenic areas from throughout the world.

“I like the new equipment in the Cardio Room and the new spin bikes a lot better,” commented Karen Sequeira, a Burbank YMCA member since 2005, who was working out on a new stair/elliptical machine.

The YMCA will emphasize family memberships in September, said Herrera, who added, “It’s one of the things that sets us apart, our family classes, such as Zumba, and kids classes. We also have the Kids Club in the Lifestyles Studio, for the older kids who may want to exercise or do homework and are too old for our Child Watch center.”

The Burbank YMCA, in addition to presenting annual community events such as the Turkey Trot and Healthy Kids Day, will celebrate it’s 90th Anniversary in October. More information on the nonprofit center’s classes, memberships and upcoming events can be found on their website.

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