'Y' Life

YMCA Finds New Ways to Serve Community

The Peachtree Corners facility offers a wide variety of wellness and exercise classes.

 Every day, Fowler YMCA is finding new ways to serve the community. "We believe that the entire community benefits when the people within it are physically, mentally and spiritually healthy," said Mark Thornell, Executive Director at Fowler Y. On September 12, Fowler Y hosted its 5th annual Northside Hospital Health Fair, providing free health screenings, assessments and educational resources to over a hundred participants.   Stations were set up to screen for vital signs, weight, body composition analysis, osteoporosis, pulmonary, coronary and cancer risks, there were also ophthalmology and hearing screening stations. Each participant received an individual report and one-on-one feedback from a health care professional at the health fair…

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'Y' Life

Expresso Bikes Brings Outdoor Workout Indoors

It's cardio, only way cooler!

  The Peachtree Corners Y has taken indoor bike workouts a step further with interactive virtual reality Expresso bikes which bring the adventure of outdoor riding indoors.  Ride on over 30 virtual courses from the California Coast to the Peruvian Mountains and challenge competing riders across the world.  Oh, and watch out for the tricky dragon that tries to push you into the water!  It's so engaging, time flies by!  Stop by the Robert D. Flowler YMCA and try out the Y's new Expresso bikes.

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Fall Safety Tips for Runners and Joggers

With less daylight hours to enjoy the outdoors make sure you're clearly visible to avoid an injury or accident.

PEACHTREE CORNERS -- The fall brings cooler temperatures and it also means there's less daylight to enjoy outdoor activities such as jogging and running. As the days are becoming shorter, some people continue to follow their bad safety habits into the winter months. I continue to be amazed by the number of runners – men and women – who wear dark clothing and run in the street (not on the sidewalk) while out for their early morning workouts. This fall I have taken to running outdoors in the early morning. I always wear a white shirt and a reflective vest, and I am contemplating purchasing a small LED safety light that is available in any number of sporting goods stores.  I’ll do anything to be seen while running through our neighborhoods. …

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Gwinnett Man Loses 246 Pounds - Wins 'Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition'

When his mother died of cancer in 2006, Alex Respess weighed 459 pounds but he was determined to commit to a weight loss program and a healthier lifestyle. After one year and an appearance on the show he achieved his goal.

A death bed promise made to Alex Respess's mother just before she lost her battle with cancer sent the the Gwinnett resident, a Duluth High School graduate, on an incredible year-long journey to better health and an appearance on ABC's docu-drama "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition." Respess says his entire family suffered from obesity and his mother, Kim Respess, made his dad promise to lose weight and get healthy so he would be around to watch Alex and his two younger brothers grow up. Touched by her desire to see her family get healthy, Respess made the same promise to himself that his father made to his mother. He was 6-feet-3 and 459 pounds when he made the commitment to a healthier lifestyle, a commitment that started with a …

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Viewfinder: Your Community in Pictures

It's Wet and Wild at the West Gwinnett Park Aquatic Center

Monday's water aerobic class gets a workout without breaking a sweat.

The indoor competition/lap pool, indoor instructional pools and outdoor leisure play pool fill the bill for any of your swimming and water exercise plans. The indoor competition pool is 22.86 x 25 meters and has a 750 seat spectator area. The instructional pool features a zero depth entry ramp.  Outdoors, the leisure pool features two giant water slides, a bubble bench, river channel, vortex, water play structures and a spray bar. Water fun for the entire family is guaranteed to put smiles on your face.   Inside, a water aerobics class gathered for a workout with instructor Kathy Castellano. Kathy puts her smiles and enthusiasm into the service she has provided for the past 25 years. Stick with her program and you’re sure to shape up, slim…

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