YMCA of Columbia-Willamette Clark County Family YMCA Testimonials

Testimonials
Please read these personal testimonies and see what people are saying about the Clark County Family YMCA.

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No Longer Scared of My Bathing Suit
I started coming to the Y due to the fact that I could hardly walk, let alone exercise. A friend asked me to go to the aqua exercise class with her. So I did, scared to death to put a bathing suit on, but I did and I was hooked. Everyone was so nice and non-judgmental it made me feel welcome and supported. I love the Y and have made friends with members and staff. I have encouraged my sister, daughters and friends to join. I have now started to work out with weights. I'm so thankful for having a place I can go where I fit in and get support to reach my goals. I am grateful to everyone who has supported me through this journey, especially my family for not giving up on me. (Cheryl Conklin)

With My Dues, I'm Supporting the Community
I first joined the YMCA at the recommendation of a relative who heard I was shopping around for gyms, and was looking for a work out partner. After touring other gyms in the area, what made the Y stand out to me wasn't just the great facility, but the comfortable atmosphere. I also really like the idea that if I had to pay a gym membership, I wanted it to go to a business that put the money back in to the community by helping others, through a variety of scholarships and programs. I felt that by joining and paying dues I wasn't just helping myself, but others as well. I did manage to lose the weight but what I didn't expect to gain was a second home, complete with an extended family. Because that is what you get at the YMCA. Not just a building with a place to run on a rainy day, but a place to feel welcome, and wanted, full of people that are happy to see you, and that you are happy to see too. A place where I knew I'd walk out always feeling a little better than when I went in. (Megan Laiblin)

Hard to Get Started, But Worth it
My family joined the YMCA summer program and I'm so glad we did. I started the 90 day program and I was assigned my very own personal trainer. We had a nice discussion about my goals and what I wanted from the program as well as the things that would help or hinder my progress. It was very hard to get started but once I did, I was able to lose my goal weight and increased my cardio workouts from 15 minutes to 60 minutes! Best of all, I increased my upper body strength considerably. I can honestly say that I have not been in this good of shape since I was in my early 20s. As a retired person, I believe that joining the YMCA has been the best thing I have done for myself. Thanks to all the friendly staff at the Y. (Henry Vernwald)

Health Conditions Disappear Thanks to the Y
My focus on a healthier lifestyle began when I was tired of how I felt and looked. My first goal was just to begin exercising regularly and following the Weight Watcher plan which is really all about portion control. A family vacation to Hawaii was five months away so I set a weekly weight loss goal of one pound. With the assistance and encouragement from staff, I began a regular program which included walking, the elliptical and resistance training. I worked out six days a week ... three days walking and three days using the weight machines at the YMCA along with the elliptical. Five months later, I had dropped the 35 pounds (much more then my initial goal), went down four pant sizes, and gained considerable more strength and energy. I have a history of high cholesterol so I kept a close watch on those results which dropped twenty points over the past few months. I have experienced some surprises health wise in that I was being treated for some conditions that have simply disappeared over this time. I am so encouraged each time I come into the YMCA and see people of all ages working out and just plain enjoying the time they spend here with friends and the great staff at the Y. Reaching my goal helped turning sixty this year a real celebration! (Karen Shaw)

Three-day a Week Workout Saved Me
I joined the YMCA of Clark County and it has been a very rewarding experience. Every workout I feel I am gaining strength and endurance. Before the Y, I had a stroke and a stint in place. I did not feel like doing anything strenuous. Maybe riding my horses, but for the most part, I had to force myself to do the simplest of jobs. The staff and other members were very helpful and pleasant. I currently work out three days a week and dance on day. When the snowstorms hit us in December I was ready. I moved a lot of snow with a shovel and scrappers. At one point, my friend had up to three feet of snow on his shop roof. I am convinced that if I had not been working out at the Y, I would have had another stroke or worse. I am very thankful to the staff and other members for their support and encouragement. (Dennis Lemke)

Classes Let Full-Time Mom Explore Her Interests
I am a thirty-something full-time mom. I have stayed active most of the time throughout my life. However, as of late, I had begun feeling I need to do something different. I visited the YMCA for Healthy Kids Day in April, as I thought the activities for the children sounded like fun and I do what I can to encourage my kids to live actively. At the end of the day, my family signed up for a membership. Two days later, I began my dive into a more active lifestyle with group classes listed on the colorful sheets in the lobby. My first class was Cardio Kick. Despite walking for multiple hours a minimum of three days a week for months, I could not make it through the class without taking multiple breaks due to a combination of my asthma and simply weak muscle tone. I did not let that discourage me though. The class instructor was very supportive of my efforts and understanding when I did need to take a break. I used the benefits of my membership to try a variety of classes during those first few days in an effort to find what I enjoy and what will work for me in the long run. I found many classes will work for not only different schedules, but also different levels of ability and desired energy output, which means finding the most applicable classes for anyone is easy. Over time, I have chosen classes for a variety of reasons, but the most important to me have been : achieving my personal body goals through a routine that is not only productive but also enjoyable. I have become far more flexible since I began attending the Y, my energy and metabolism are up, I have met some wonderful teachers and individuals and in less than eight weeks, I transformed my body along with my waist from a 38" to a 33.5" waist. Although the size drop is important to me, the strength and flexibility I have gained is equally important. I credit my personal trainer and the wonderful Cardio and Yoga class teachers with a large part of my success.They all make attending the Y a fun and stimulating experience. (Anonymous)