Exercise time is family time for Amy Matheson.
“This is something we can do together,” said Matheson, an elementary school teacher and mother of three children who has been working from home since mid-March.
In a bid to keep active during the coronavirus pandemic and to set a good example for their children, Matheson and her husband Graeme started making use of the free online exercise programs being offered by the Les Chater Family YMCA on Rymal Road East near Upper Wentworth.
“It’s a good workout for sure,” said Matheson, whose north-central Mountain family gets together in front of the big screen television in their family room two or three mornings a week.
“It’s a good physical and mental break,” Matheson said.
Her nine-year-old son Gavin said he looks forward to working out with his parents and siblings.
“It gives me time with my family,” he said. “My favourite part is the pushups.”
Kyla Kumar, vice president of marketing and communications at the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford, said they moved to online programming after their buildings closed on March 15.
“We wanted to bring everything we do into one central online community for people to access for free,” she said. “The health and fitness programs online are designed for people of all ages and fitness abilities.”
The YMCA website will direct users to their exercise videos on YouTube. Each video runs 20 to 30 minutes long.
“You can go at your own speed,” Kumar said.
It appears those online programs are growing in popularity, with Kumar noting their website is getting 500 unique views each day.
“There seems to be a real high interest in seniors’ content,” she said.
In addition to exercise and wellness programs, the YMCA’s website also offers children’s activities, employment and immigrant services, music and cooking classes.
Working out at home has become the new normal for 14-year-old Reese Plata and her eight-year-old sister Audrey.
Both are students at Passion To Fitness gymnastics on Upper Wellington, which has been closed since mid-March.
The two sisters are now getting their lessons from business owner Alena Zoloto and other instructors on their home computer using Zoom video conferencing.
“The Zoom classes are definitely a treat,” said Reese. “It’s great to be able to work with Alena multiple times a week.”
Audrey said while she likes the live video sessions, she prefers in-person learning at the studio.
“I like how Alena can help me face-to-face and teach me things from far away, too,” she said.
Zoloto noted the Zoom sessions run 60 minutes and include a warmup, stretching, skills training, conditioning and a cool-down.
“We also play games, provide specific skill-based challenges and assign homework,” she said. “We often ask our athletes for ideas to keep them involved and interested.”
STORY BEHIND THE STORY
With gyms and recreation centres closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hamilton Community News wanted to see how people are trying to stay fit while at home.
Exercise time is family time for Amy Matheson.
“This is something we can do together,” said Matheson, an elementary school teacher and mother of three children who has been working from home since mid-March.
In a bid to keep active during the coronavirus pandemic and to set a good example for their children, Matheson and her husband Graeme started making use of the free online exercise programs being offered by the Les Chater Family YMCA on Rymal Road East near Upper Wentworth.
“It’s a good workout for sure,” said Matheson, whose north-central Mountain family gets together in front of the big screen television in their family room two or three mornings a week.
“It’s a good physical and mental break,” Matheson said.
Her nine-year-old son Gavin said he looks forward to working out with his parents and siblings.
“It gives me time with my family,” he said. “My favourite part is the pushups.”
Kyla Kumar, vice president of marketing and communications at the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford, said they moved to online programming after their buildings closed on March 15.
“We wanted to bring everything we do into one central online community for people to access for free,” she said. “The health and fitness programs online are designed for people of all ages and fitness abilities.”
The YMCA website will direct users to their exercise videos on YouTube. Each video runs 20 to 30 minutes long.
“You can go at your own speed,” Kumar said.
It appears those online programs are growing in popularity, with Kumar noting their website is getting 500 unique views each day.
“There seems to be a real high interest in seniors’ content,” she said.
In addition to exercise and wellness programs, the YMCA’s website also offers children’s activities, employment and immigrant services, music and cooking classes.
Working out at home has become the new normal for 14-year-old Reese Plata and her eight-year-old sister Audrey.
Both are students at Passion To Fitness gymnastics on Upper Wellington, which has been closed since mid-March.
The two sisters are now getting their lessons from business owner Alena Zoloto and other instructors on their home computer using Zoom video conferencing.
“The Zoom classes are definitely a treat,” said Reese. “It’s great to be able to work with Alena multiple times a week.”
Audrey said while she likes the live video sessions, she prefers in-person learning at the studio.
“I like how Alena can help me face-to-face and teach me things from far away, too,” she said.
Zoloto noted the Zoom sessions run 60 minutes and include a warmup, stretching, skills training, conditioning and a cool-down.
“We also play games, provide specific skill-based challenges and assign homework,” she said. “We often ask our athletes for ideas to keep them involved and interested.”
STORY BEHIND THE STORY
With gyms and recreation centres closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hamilton Community News wanted to see how people are trying to stay fit while at home.
Exercise time is family time for Amy Matheson.
“This is something we can do together,” said Matheson, an elementary school teacher and mother of three children who has been working from home since mid-March.
In a bid to keep active during the coronavirus pandemic and to set a good example for their children, Matheson and her husband Graeme started making use of the free online exercise programs being offered by the Les Chater Family YMCA on Rymal Road East near Upper Wentworth.
“It’s a good workout for sure,” said Matheson, whose north-central Mountain family gets together in front of the big screen television in their family room two or three mornings a week.
“It’s a good physical and mental break,” Matheson said.
Her nine-year-old son Gavin said he looks forward to working out with his parents and siblings.
“It gives me time with my family,” he said. “My favourite part is the pushups.”
Kyla Kumar, vice president of marketing and communications at the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford, said they moved to online programming after their buildings closed on March 15.
“We wanted to bring everything we do into one central online community for people to access for free,” she said. “The health and fitness programs online are designed for people of all ages and fitness abilities.”
The YMCA website will direct users to their exercise videos on YouTube. Each video runs 20 to 30 minutes long.
“You can go at your own speed,” Kumar said.
It appears those online programs are growing in popularity, with Kumar noting their website is getting 500 unique views each day.
“There seems to be a real high interest in seniors’ content,” she said.
In addition to exercise and wellness programs, the YMCA’s website also offers children’s activities, employment and immigrant services, music and cooking classes.
Working out at home has become the new normal for 14-year-old Reese Plata and her eight-year-old sister Audrey.
Both are students at Passion To Fitness gymnastics on Upper Wellington, which has been closed since mid-March.
The two sisters are now getting their lessons from business owner Alena Zoloto and other instructors on their home computer using Zoom video conferencing.
“The Zoom classes are definitely a treat,” said Reese. “It’s great to be able to work with Alena multiple times a week.”
Audrey said while she likes the live video sessions, she prefers in-person learning at the studio.
“I like how Alena can help me face-to-face and teach me things from far away, too,” she said.
Zoloto noted the Zoom sessions run 60 minutes and include a warmup, stretching, skills training, conditioning and a cool-down.
“We also play games, provide specific skill-based challenges and assign homework,” she said. “We often ask our athletes for ideas to keep them involved and interested.”
STORY BEHIND THE STORY
With gyms and recreation centres closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hamilton Community News wanted to see how people are trying to stay fit while at home.