Rhode Show Hosts Try Out Y Program

Personalized fitness available at YMCA

Health assessments help members stay fit

Published : Tuesday, 22 Jan 2013
Michaela Johnson

In order to get the most out of your gym visit, it's best to know what works for you. When The Rhode Show last spoke with their friends at The Y, they mentioned an online health assessment that’s available to their members. Will, Meaghan, and Michaela took the assessment and brought their results to the Kent County YMCA.

Click on the image to the right to watch the clip.

Staying healthy, fit, and stress-free are things many people want to achieve, but everyone takes a different path in reaching them.

"The health care risk assessment allows you to look at many different facets of your life that contribute to overall health and get an idea of where you are in your readiness to make change,” said Neta Taylor-Post, Director of Healthcare Initiatives at YMCA Providence.

The assessments are looked over by a professional.

"It's really just an idea of 'Where are you? What things can the y do to support you on this journey?'" Taylor-Post added.

Staff and Y members then sit down one-on-one to discuss the outcome.

“They go through the health care risk assessment with them, and ask them stage matched questions to where they are in their readiness to make change. From there they'll make a plan to begin their journey with us."

The staff members are like coaches who get others started on the right foot.

"With modest changes we can see some profound health improvements in our overall health,” said Taylor-Post.

The YMCA also caters to the needs of various lifestyles.

"There are several phases, from ‘precontemplation’: not thinking about the change at all, all the way to ‘maintenance’ where you’re actively engaged in those activities.”

Activities at The Y included cycling, strength class, yoga, Pilates, and TRX.

"When we take time to step back and answer very specific questions we get a much clearer picture of where we really are” Taylor-Post said.

An important number you'll receive when taking the health assessment is your body mass index, or BMI. This number indicates whether you are in a healthy, overweight, or obese range. With more weight comes more health risks, so striving for a healthy BMI is always a good goal to have.

For more information on MyHealth at the Y, click here.