Health & Wellness Programs

The Y’s mission has long focused on helping people to live their healthiest lives and reach their full potential in mind, body, and spirit. YMCAs across Washington help people to build sustainable physical activity routines, connect to evidence-based programs to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease, and to form connection and lasting relationships within the community.

In partnership with local health care systems, WA Ys help clinicians to “Prescribe the Y,” extending the goals and values of clinical care into community settings and reaching more people with long-term, relationship-based support—to help people live their healthiest lives.

Explore the options below to discover how we can help you reach your health goals. Not all programs are offered at every Y location – see summary table of program locations here or check your local Y’s specific website for more information. In addition, some fitness and disease prevention programs are available virtually statewide. WA Ys partner with health insurance plans and health savings accounts where possible to cover access to membership and programs. If additional financial assistance is needed, please inquire as the YMCA strives to make sure cost is not a barrier to participation.

Read below for more information about WA Y health programs and services. You can also jump straight to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below.

‍ ‍

YMCA Evidence-Based Health Programs

Programs designed to help you build a healthy lifestyle and prevent or manage chronic health conditions. WA Ys offer a number of evidence-based programs proven to help reduce risk for or manage symptoms of common health conditions – Y membership is not required for many of these programs!

  • The year-long DPP helps adults at risk for Type 2 Diabetes lower their risk for type 2 diabetes by up to 70% through developing a healthier lifestyle based on increased physical activity, healthy eating, and modest weight loss. Check out the CDC eligibility page or take the CDC diabetes risk test here to see if you are considered high risk for diabetes and would quality for the program. This is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, or may be paid for through a Health Savings Account (HSA). The DPP is available statewide virtually, or in-person at certain locations.

  • WA Ys offer 12-16 week programs to support adults in setting goals and achieving long-term behavior change conducive to healthy weight loss and weight management, such as Wellness for Life and Y Weight Loss. These programs are available virtually statewide and in-person at certain locations.  

  • A 13-week program to support youth aged 8-14 and their parents in building lifelong healthy habits. Over two decades ago, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the YMCA of Greater Seattle partnered to create the ACT! Program. Program outcomes include increased physical activity, families cooking and eating meals together, improved knowledge of nutrition labels, decreased screen time, and decreased intake of fast food and sugary beverages. ACT! is a CDC-recognized family healthy weight management program. This program is available virtually statewide and in-person at certain locations.  

  • A 12-week program that enables cancer survivors to meet with a certified instructor to increase flexibility and endurance, build muscle, and improve ability to perform daily activities, all within a supportive group environment. This program is available in-person only – see table below for current program locations.

  • Research shows that consistently engaging in certain exercises a few times per week, including cycling or boxing, can help manage certain symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Several WA Ys offer in-person Parkinson’s programming such as Pedaling for Parkinson’s, Rock Steady Boxing, and Move & Shout. This program is available in-person only – see table below for current program locations.

  • Older adults can build strength and balance at WA Ys through specialized Active Older Adult group fitness classes and personal training, as well as certain evidence-based programs including the 16-week Enhance®Fitness and 12-week Tai Chi: Moving For Better Balance. All WA Ys offer older adult fitness classes that support falls prevention. Some provide evidence-based programs including Enhance®Fitness which is also available virtually statewide.

  • Lifestyle change related to diet and exercise is a key long-term success indicator for GLP-1 users, but supportive programming can be difficult to find. WA Ys have specially tailored our year-long Diabetes Prevention and 12-16 week Adult Weight Management programs to help those who are taking GLP-1s create lifestyle changes to support their long-term health and wellness journeys, available virtually statewide and in-person in King County. Many WA Ys also employ personal trainers and health coaches trained to support people along their GLP1 journey – check your local Y’s website for more information.

  • Several WA Ys offer one-to-one or group-based BPSM programs that pair a certified Heart Health Ambassador with individuals managing hypertension. BPSM also provides education and guidance around physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and other lifestyle factors affecting blood pressure control. This 16-week program is offered virtually statewide and in-person at select locations.

  • A 6-week highly effective, evidence-based, self-care educational program for family caregivers that builds the skills needed to take better care of themselves as they provide care for others. This program is available virtually only, statewide.

Self-Refer: Ready to find out more about a program or enroll at a Y near you? Fill out this contact form and someone will reach out to you within a few business days.

Healthcare Professional: If you want to connect a patient to one of these programs? Click here to learn how to Prescribe the Y.

Other Health Related Options at the YMCA

Healthy Living is one of the core principles of the YMCA. Inquire at your local Y to understand the full range of options available.

  • Something for Every Body: WA Ys offer hundreds of group fitness classes – from Zumba® to water aerobics, to boot camps, cycling, and weight training – every person will find a class that feels fun, challenging, and realistic for their body. Check your local Y’s website to find group exercise class schedules at your closest location.

    Healthy Aging for Active Older Adults: Active Older Adults (AOA) at the YMCA build relationships and create a network of friends who support overall health and well-being. Across WA Ys, we prioritize older adults’ social connectivity, strength and balance, and brain health by providing programs like AOA-specific group fitness classes, walking clubs, social gatherings and field trips, health education workshops, and more. Do you have a Medicare Advantage plan? Your Y membership may be a covered benefit.

    On Land or Water: Most WA Y facilities offer aquatic centers that offer lap swimming, swim lessons for all ages, water walking, and water-based fitness classes. Whether you like being active on land, in water, or both, there is something for everyone.

  • Personal, Small Group and Specialty Training: Most WA Ys offer personal, small-group, and specialty training to help you reach your unique health and fitness goals. Whether you're new to the gym and seeking extra guidance, a triathlete needing support training for a big race, working to build strength while using GLP1 medications, or looking to enhance balance and prevent falls, our trainers can help you build a fitness routine that works for you.

    Wellness Planning: Most WA Ys offer some form of free, one-time personalized wellness planning for members, in which a personal trainer or wellness coach connects with you and helps you set SMART goals and plan for reaching them at the Y.

    Health Coaching:A certified health coach can help you set goals and stay on track in efforts to improve nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and more. Virtual health coaching is available statewide through the Y and in-person in some locations. Fill out the web interest form on this page to get connected.

FAQs

  • Using our gym or pool facilities, or participating in personal training or group exercise requires a Y membership. Most of our evidence-based health programs do not require an existing Y membership, and a temporary Y membership may be available while in the program (depending on location).

  • Fill out this web interest form to indicate which program(s) you are interested in, and someone will reach out to you soon! Statewide inquiries can also be sent to ChronicDiseasePrevention@seattleymca.org

  • No – a provider referral is typically not required – you can “refer” yourself! However, we do need to know certain qualifying health information for some programs, or ensure provider clearance to participate, depending on the program. Y staff will walk you through getting all necessary information and paperwork filled out.

    • YMCA evidence-based health programs closely follow well-researched models that prove that the average participant experiences positive, meaningful health changes and (in some cases) reduce overall healthcare expenditures. We regularly submit program data to entities like the CDC and YMCA of the USA to prove that our programs are functioning as intended. We are also a fully-recognized DPP provider under the CDC Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program.

    • See some of our Y Health Program Participant Testimonials here

    • See some of our program outcome data here

  • Many WA Y health programs are available virtually (live via zoom) and in-person in certain locations. See the table for summarized information.

    • Many WA Ys partner with networks like Silver & Fit®, RenewActive™, OnePass™, and FitOn Health to make the Y accessible to people on certain Medicare Advantage plans. Check out your local Y’s website or connect with your health plan for specific information in your area.

    • Some Ys work with employers and commercial health plans to make the Y accessible to their employees. Check your local Y’s website for more information.

  • Contact Us: Any other questions not answered here? Statewide inquiries can be sent to: ChronicDiseasePrevention@seattleymca.org