Published: January 07, 2009 09:41 pm      

YMCA offers fitness preview

DANVILLE — Just in time to help people turn their New Year’s resolutions into action, the Danville Family YMCA will offer a free preview Saturday of its fitness classes.

Called “The Fitness Blast,” this three-hour event will demonstrate the variety of workouts available at the YMCA. It’s a no-charge, no-commitment chance to try six of the classes offered on the regular schedule.

Abby Stocksdale, YMCA fitness class coordinator, said, “The classes make people accountable. There’s an instructor who provides motivation. He or she can push you to the next level without you realizing it.”

The Fitness Blast schedule includes:

--8 a.m., Boot Camp.

--8:30 a.m., Kickboxing.

--9 a.m., Hip Hop dance.

--9:30 a.m., Step Aerobics.

--10 a.m., Zumba.

--10:30 a.m., Absolute Abs.

Each class will last for 20 minutes at the event.

The Zumba class is being offered for the first time at the YMCA. “It’s cardio to a Latin beat,” Stocksdale said.

That class’ Tuesday night debut was well-attended, according to those participating in Boot Camp Wednesday morning. One of the students in that class, Michelle Hackman of Danville, already takes two or three exercise classes each week at the YMCA, but said she’s “always looking for variety.”

Besides Boot Camp, Hackman takes kickboxing and step aerobics. The six-year YMCA member also substitutes for instructors at times.

“This class is very popular,” she said about Boot Camp. “It has high level intensity, but the choreography is easy to follow. Perfection is not the goal.”

Some of the other classes emphasize cardio workouts; some focus on aerobics.

There will be no charge Saturday to try as many of the classes as participants wish. The full-length version of each of the classes is also offered free of charge with an individual or family YMCA membership.

Stocksdale said the exercise classes are suitable for those in their 20s and beyond.

“The instructors make modifications depending on the students’ ages and abilities,” she said. “We encompass all levels of fitness at the YMCA. People in the classes have fun, and they get results.”

In addition to demonstrating the exercise classes the YMCA offers its members, exercise-related prizes will be awarded every 30 minutes during the event. Entrants must be present to win.