National Senior Health & Fitness Day at the YMCA

The Gateway Family YMCA will join local groups nationwide to celebrate the 29th Anniversary of National Senior Health & Fitness Day (NSHFD) on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, along with local community partners from Shaping Eastern Union County. The YMCA is hosting a Community Open House with events like Swimming, Group Exercise, Water Exercise, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Health Screenings and Community Health Fairs with information at Y branches in Elizabeth, Rahway and Union. For details on individual Y branch, classes, events and times, visit www.tgfymca.org/events

According to Krystal R. Canady, CEO, The Gateway Family YMCA, “Our YMCA is committed to assisting individuals achieve their personal goals, whether these include socialization, mental health, wellness, nutrition or chronic disease management. National Senior Health & Fitness Day is the perfect opportunity for seniors to make, renew, and revitalize their commitment to lead healthier lives.”

“Social isolation and sedentary behavior during the pandemic have increased wellness concerns throughout the past few years, and the Y is here as a resource and partner. We are happy to open our doors to all and invite the community into the Y,” stated Melynda A. Disla, EVP/COO, The Gateway Family YMCA, “For those individuals who are not ready, or are unable to visit the Y in person, we offer a variety of live virtual programs allowing individuals to join us from home.”

###a name="_Hlk116555711">All events listed below are available to the community. Advance registration is not required, and all events are first come, first serve. It is suggested that first time visitors join the Y as a free Community Member at

The Gateway Family YMCA – Elizabeth Branch, 135 Madison Avenue, Elizabeth:

• 9:15-10:00am Cycling with Cynthia
• 10:00-11:00am Stretch and Flex with Rafael
• 11:00-11:45am Enhance Fitness for Arthritis with Rafael
• 12:00-1:00 Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring with Rafael (Available in English & Spanish)
• 2:30-3:30pm Staying Informed – Infectious Diseases Educational Seminar – Learn about prevention, diagnosis and treatment for infectious disease like Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Monkeypox and Influenza, Presented by Cheryl Abdur-Rahman, MPH, Local Health Department Outreach Coordinator, Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Public Health
• 6:15-7:00pm Zumba with Damaris

The Elizabeth Branch is also offering basketball, strength and weight training, fitness and wellness center access during scheduled hours.

The Gateway Family YMCA – Five Points Branch, 201 Tucker Avenue, Union:

• 8:00-9:00am Water Exercise with Terry
• 9:00-10:00am Water Exercise with Terry
• 9:00-10:00am Active Older Adults with Linda
• 10:15-11:15am Enhance Fitness for Arthritis with Linda
• 8:00-8:45pm Water Exercise with Laura

The Five Points Branch is also offering swimming and basketball during scheduled hours.

The Gateway Family YMCA – Rahway Branch, 1564 Irving Street, Rahway:

• 9:00-9:45am Deep Water Exercise with Carolyn
• 9:30-10:30am Pilates with EJ
• 10:00-11:00am Rahway Branch Member Social – Open to All! Join Y Branch Staff, Members and the Community for some social fun!
• 11:30-12:00pm Raise the Ball
• 12:00-12:30pm Lunch & Learn – Healthy Eating for Seniors with Lindsay Whelan, Registered Dietician RWJ
• 6:00-7:00pm Power Yoga with Caitlin

The Rahway Branch is also offering swimming, basketball, strength and weight training, fitness and wellness center access, as well as a Community Health Fair including partners like Humana and United Healthcare during scheduled hours.

The Gateway Family YMCA – Wellness Center Branch, 1000 Galloping Hill Road, Union:

• 6:00-6:45am Cycling with Jacob
• 9:00-10:00am Yoga with Shaheda
• 10:00-11:00am Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring with Jodi
• 10:00-1:00pm Community Health Fair with local partners including Atlantic Health, EGGLRock Nutrition, Food Bank of NJ, Rotary Club of Union, Sharing Network, Rutgers Medical, Union Pharmacy.
• 10:15-11:00am Chair Yoga with Shaheda
• 11:15-12:15pm Enhance Fitness with Martha
• 2:00-3:00pm WISE Cardio Jam with Susan
• 5:00-6:00pm Yoga with Lisa
• 7:00-7:45pm Zumba with Taryn

The Wellness Center Branch is also offering strength and weight training, kinesis, fitness and wellness center access during schedule hours, as well as a Community Health Fair during scheduled hours.

The Gateway Family YMCA – Virtual Programs open to the community include:

• 9:00-10:00am Yoga with Shaheda
• 10:15-11:00am Chair Yoga with Shaheda
• 12:30-1:15pm SilverSneakers with JoAnn
• 2:00-3:00pm WISE Cardio Jam with Susan
• 5:00-6:00pm Yoga with Lisa

Registration is required for Virtual Programs in order to provide the Zoom link at www.tgfymca.org Membership is not required for the programs listed on October 26, although a free Community Membership is suggested.

In addition, throughout the day on October 26th, the community is invited to visit The Gateway Family YMCA’s Facebook page for helpful resources, information and updates and discussions at www.facebook.com/GatewayFamilyY

“Older adults at all levels of physical fitness are encouraged to participate in National Senior Health & Fitness Day,” says Patricia Henze, National Senior Health & Fitness Day program manager. “Our event goals are to increase awareness of the benefits of regular exercise, and to encourage all older adults to take advantage of the many health and fitness activities offered in their communities, as well as online.”

The Gateway Family YMCA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, health and community service organization of caring staff and volunteers dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community and stands For Youth Development, For Healthy Living and For Social Responsibility. The Gateway Family YMCA impacts the community by providing quality services to people of all ages, races, faith or incomes.

Shaping Eastern Union County is committed to improving the health and well-being of county residents and creating strategies to support improved health, nutrition and physical activity for all. Shaping Elizabeth, Shaping Rahway and Shaping Union are also sponsoring this event.

There are now two National Senior Health & Fitness Day events every year—Spring and Fall. The events, the largest of their kind, are organized by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for professionals who work with older adults.

For more information on National Senior Health and Fitness Day at The Gateway Family YMCA visit www.tgfymca.org or contact The Gateway Family YMCA at 908-349-9622 or wellnessinfo@tgfymca.org