Back to School = Back to the Gym!

Like many other young people, I went back to school this week. As I near graduation (two more semesters after the current one!) school life is becoming a little more stressful.

As I’ve blogged before, I think exercise is the best stress reliever. Even in my first week, I have rediscovered my craving for working out that was missing towards the end of summer.

So for me, back to school also means back to the gym!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y.

Health and Wellness for All Ages

One of the first blogs I posted was about one of our members who, in her late 70s, regularly attends one of our Pilates classes. As registration begins for the Y’s Fall I session, I’m excited to say she is ready to sign up for her fifth session of classes! Her dedication to her health and wellness reminds me that at any age, there is no excuse not to keep your body strong.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Relief

Last week, a woman came into the Y with hopes of enrolling her six-year-old son in Y Camp. It seemed they were new to the area and were staying at a nearby residence hotel. As you could imagine, her son was getting pretty bored. Luckily, I was able to sign them up for the next (and last) four weeks of camp.

At the time, I was excited to help the son get some activity for what was left of his summer. However, I’ve since realized the relief the mother must have felt as well. In this situation, it seemed she probably needed some time to get things organized (which can be a little hard with a six-year-old).

I hope the son enjoys his time at Y Camp, and I hope his mother considers becoming Y members once they are settled into the community.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y.

Moving On Up

Camp Counselor to camp director, personal trainer to fitness director, member service representative to center director…

These are just a few of the career paths I have seen Y staff take during my Y experience. The Y’s most dedicated employees are frequently offered new ways to advance not only their service to the organization, but their careers.

It is great to see these staff being rewarded for their hard work. I hope to one day have a career that is just as worthwhile, perhaps with the Y!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y.

Getting Back to Work(ing Out)

After a week of vacation it is difficult to get back in the swing of things. For my recent vacation, I took a break from both work and working out. I returned on a Saturday, and it took me until Tuesday to convince myself to get back to the gym. Nonetheless, after getting my usual workout in, I remembered why it is I do it. Now if I can explain that to the rest of my body, I’ll be in good shape!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y.

Right Before My Eyes

“I’d like to lose weight…”

This is a recurring statement when people are asked why they are interested in becoming members at the Y. Their mission is often accompanied by a goal of feeling better about themselves or living a healthier lifestyle.

Some of the benefits of working at the Y kick in when you start to see these members reaching their goal. Knowing the struggle so many Americans face with weight loss, I am always in amazement when I see a member who has conquered this battle. I never thought I would see someone losing weight right before my eyes.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y.

Familiar Faces

One of the greatest things about being a member or working at the Y is all the familiar faces you see on a regular basis. As an employee and a member it seems that no matter when I am working or working out I see someone I’ve seen before. It doesn’t matter if I saw them the day before or years ago, what matters is they keep coming back to the Y.

I’m not sure if this same phenomenon can be found at other gyms or pools. I think it is one of the aspects that makes the Y more than a gym or pool.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Playing Ball

A week or so ago I signed up a family who was just moving into the area. Before they committed to the Y, I took them around to take a look at the facility. Their three year-old had come in the door holding a miniature basketball, and I knew exactly what he wanted to see first… the basketball court.

As his parents tried to lure him away from what was visibly his favorite place on earth, they explained his love for the sport and their desire to sign him up for one of our summer basketball programs. Right then and there I knew this family would enjoy their membership.

It feels great when you can offer someone exactly what they want, and maybe even a little more.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Camp is in the Air

As the summer rapidly approaches, the Dancel Family Center Y is abuzz with talk of camp! At this time every year I start to think about my own Y camp memories.

I was involved with Y camp for years, first as a camper at the age of 5 or 6, and most recently as a counselor in 2007. In my continuing Y career I have seen many changes made to summer camp, but one thing has remained the same…fun. Whether it is swimming, capture the flag, or an occasional field trip; there is always fun going on at Y camp. There are activities I did at camp that I remember to this day, and am not likely to forget anytime soon.

All children should get the chance to experience camp at the Y. The Y knows how to do camp right, after all, we invented it!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

It Just Feels Good

Though I’ve been a member of the Y all of my life, and an employee for nearly the last 3 years, it has only been since this past summer that I’ve really started to take advantage of it. Over the last months I’ve been doing my best to stay in shape and healthy. Whether it is after I finish a shift, or late in the evening when I’ve finished schoolwork, I try to get to the gym 2-3 times per week (not always meeting the goal).

While usually my plan is to get in and out as quickly as I can, on Wednesday night I decided I’d take my time and enjoy my workout. I realized how unique of an experience working out really is. At the gym, you are surrounded by others who are also doing their best to stay healthy. It is one of those rare times in life where you know you’re truly doing the right thing.

As the title says… it just feels good.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Coffee for our Members

At my Y, one of the things we do to show members our appreciation is offer free coffee. At all hours we try to keep a pot of regular and decaf coffee (as well as some water for our tea drinkers) on the burners. The coffee is a surprisingly popular commodity in the front lobby.

On the busiest mornings, it seems like we make pot after pot as members drink cup after cup. Many times I’ve had members thank me as I brew the next serving, or compliment us on how the coffee tastes. Each time I’m amazed by the gratefulness of the members for something as simple as a cup of coffee.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Start Young!

I’ve recently noticed a fairly good amount of teenagers coming to the Y on a regular basis. They come in to play basketball, use the fitness center, and sometimes even swim laps. In a society plagued by obesity and other health-jeopardizing factors it is great to see people of such a young age taking part in a healthy lifestyle of activity.

I am by no means an expert on health and wellness, but I do think I could make a general prediction about it. My prediction is those who start practicing these types of habits at a young age are more likely to stick with it.

At the Y we’re helping members of all ages!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

I wanted to use this post to talk about one of the most dedicated Y members I know:

For the last 15 or so years, my mom has been an active Y member, attending classes or just using the gym three to four times a week. A recent job change, and an hour long commute sometimes puts a hamper on her weeknights, but she is able to convince herself to head to the Y anyway. One of her favorite activities is a Saturday step aerobics class (usually there and back before I even wake up).

My mom has always told me she finds her dedication in the way she feels after she has finished exercising. She has always promoted working out as the best stress reliever, and with papers due every week, I’ve started to believe her. After years of trying, my mom has finally gotten me to keep a healthy body, and a healthy mind…now if only she can convince Dad.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Saturday Morning at the Y

A week or so ago, I picked up an extra shift on Saturday morning, a time frame packed with programs and participation at the Y. Between the hours of 9 and 12, I watched both members and non-members stream through the main lobby on their way to and from their favorite Y programs, or just their regular exercise routine.

This particular weekend was accompanied by massive amounts of rain, but it did not seem to keep anyone away. The most enjoyable part of my shift was greeting people as they walked through the front doors, often soaking wet. No one was letting Mother Nature affect their spirits; I do not know whether it was enthusiasm of being at the Y or just premature thoughts of spring.

It is always great to be a part of the positive energy at the Y!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

We Love it Here

During a recent shift, there was a couple who came into the Y, curious about what was offered in the way of family memberships. After taking a few minutes to learn more about their specific interests I began showing them around our facility. We made it past the aerobics studio and fitness area before bumping into a member they already knew.

Their acquaintance made his way over to greet us and see what they were doing at the Y. Upon hearing of their inquiry into membership he began telling them all about his family’s experience. He began to go on and on about the convenience, value, and activity the Y provides. It was clear he had always enjoyed being a member.

This made my duty of promoting the Y a lot easier. I was astounded by the eagerness of a current member to share their knowledge of the Y and encourage others to join!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Spring at the Y

Monday, March 1st brings the start of a new Y program schedule. The Spring I session is the first half of a two-part program cycle that brings on the “feeling good and looking good” momentum before summer. At the Dancel Family Center members and non-members are registered for everything from rock climbing to Aquacize to Yoga Cycle (yoga and cycling in the same class!). I hope everyone has found the right fit in the programs they’ve selected!

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y

Watching Members Progress: From Start to...

One of my favorite parts of working as a Member Service Rep is the chance to meet and sign up new Y members. This gives me the opportunity to observe their progress from the start. I was recently reminded of this while working my evening shift.

A few months ago I helped a couple signed up for a Senior Family membership. The husband, in his 80s, and wife, in her 70s, were full of questions about all the programs the Y has to offer. It was clear each of them wanted to start taking advantage of their new membership right away.

I had been aware that both of them have been involved in some of our water aerobics classes for quite some time. However, it wasn’t until the other night when I saw the wife participating in a weekly Pilate’s class. Even as the only senior member of the class, it was clear she had no problem keeping up with the rest of the group. It was great to see her fully engaged in what the Y has to offer!

This couple’s spirit represents a great part of what the Y is looking to accomplish. Though I couldn’t quite gauge what type of shape they were in physically when they started, I could easily measure their excitement of becoming members. As a Member Service Rep I look forward to orienting all new members, and helping them take full advantage of their time at the Y.

Posted by Mitch Case, Member Services Representative, Dancel Family Center Y