MATTHEW COURTER/Sun-Gazette Members use exercise bikes at the River Valley Regional YMCA in Williamsport.

Since opening its doors in 1844 in London, the YMCA has been at the forefront of a number of fitness advancement opportunities.

Arriving in the U.S. In 1851, the YMCA was responsible for the creation of body building in 1881, basketball at a YMCA training school in Springfield, Mass., in 1891, volleyball in 1895 and group swimming lessons in 1909, according to its website.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the congressional charter of the YMCA in Washington, D.C. in 1864, with the Williamsport branch opening two years later.

To mark its 175th anniversary in the U.S., the non-profit recently launched its “No Place Like This Place” campaign, aimed at spreading the word on the diversity of its offerings.

Following a regionalization that began in 2004 and culminated in 2019, the River Valley Regional YMCA is currently made up of branches in Williamsport, Jersey Shore, Muncy, Towanda, Mansfield and Lock Haven.

As branches of the same umbrella entity, a membership at one branch may be used to participate in activities at any of the other sites.

“We not only offer the wellness area with the cardio, strength equipment and free weights, we also offer group exercise classes, adult sports programs and swimming at many of our branches,” Mandy Minnella, marketing coordinator for the River Valley Regional YMCA said, adding that the organization offers options to watch children while parents or guardians utilize the facility.

“We offer a basketball gymnasium with programs for all ages, sports for kids and adults, senior socials and classes,” she said.

All group exercises are included with a membership.

“We have everything from yoga to Zumba, strength and cardio classes, boot camp classes, Silver Sneakers classes for seniors, and everybody is welcome to try any of the classes, even if it sounds like it’s a challenging class, if you just say to the instructor, ‘I’m new to this, or I have a problem with my knee or my shoulder. What is another exercise that I could do in place of this,’ the instructors are here to help and make it fun as well,” Minnella said, adding that people often make friends among their classmates.

“It helps motivate you when you’re with a group of people, it’s fun, it’s friendly, it’s building community and relationships. And you get to see everybody else reach their goals while you’re working to reach yours,” she said.

And, for people who have some mobility issues and may not be able to take a traditional group exercise class or work out on the floor, they could go in the pool, where there’s less impact on your joints,” Minnella said.

“We have something for everybody, all ages, all physical abilities,” she added.

The Y’s Superstars program is designed for those with special needs or diverse abilities.

“It’s a free fitness class where they take a big exercise ball and hit it with drumsticks and dance and do all kinds of fun stuff to music,” Minnella explained.

For its youngest members, the YMCA offers itty bitty sports, art projects and home school programs.

“We have a fitness team that is always somewhere in the wellness area, and you can ask them questions about how to use the machines or anything else you’re unsure of,” Minnella said.

For an extra fee, members can utilize personal training options, even if just to help them get started.

For those unsure of exactly what they’re looking for, the Y offers tours of their facility.

Many of the members are welcoming and eager to share their knowledge, something Minnella said is one of their biggest goals.

But, the YMCA is much more than a gym, Minnella stressed.

“We’re a nonprofit, so the membership not only helps people reach their goals and keep them active, but it supports our building and our youth programs, financial assistance for memberships, childcare and programs where people can’t afford to pay the full price, along with our community outreach initiatives and events, our cancer program, our vet strong program and our joint replacement program,” she said.

“Basically, your dues operate the facility, and then your gift, your donation, is what helps us give back to the community in more ways than just providing the gym,” Minnella said.

In an effort to continue to expand their services, the Eastern Lycoming Branch will see an expansion coming in 2026.

“The members outgrew their building within the first year it was built, and we are currently running a capital campaign to raise the funds to begin the first phase of the expansion,” Minnella explained.

Depending on the amount of funds raised, the first phase is expected to add 2,000 square feet of childcare space, comprising two additional classrooms and some offices. The goal is also to double the wellness area, adding more space for free weights, strength training and functional training areas, along with possible other facility improvements to shower facilities and the community room.

With something for everyone at the YMCA, Minnella sees a strong pay-off in children seeing their parents engaged in healthy activities.

“When you bring your kids in and they see you trying to lead a healthier lifestyle, it teaches them to build healthy habits. So, this is a place that you can be throughout your entire life. There’s always something here for you,” she said.

For more information on the River Valley Regional YMCA, its branches and all that it has to offer, please visit www.rvrymca.org.