The Plum Street YMCA in downtown Olympia makes getting to a well-equipped gym accessible, and membership provides both in-person fitness as well as a plethora of digital, health and wellness learning opportunities. Sharing about local favorite spots, Olympic Sotheby’s International Realty sets out to highlight the places Olympia residents go for fun and community, and that certainly includes the neighborhood gym. The Plum Street Y is in a prime location for downtown, Eastside and Westside residents with programming for a broad range of ages and fitness levels.
“I think what makes Plum Street different is it’s our downtown community, so it’s an inclusive community,” says Lesli Baker, the health and well-being director of the South Sound YMCA. “We want people to know that they’re welcome here. Everyone is welcome here. We want people to know that if you live or work downtown, then we want to be your YMCA.”
The Plum Street YMCA in Olympia is Home to Unique Programs
In the name of health and wellness, the Plum Street YMCA also reaches out to the houseless members of the area. Through local nonprofit programs such as the Homeless Response Team with the City of Olympia or Capital Recovery Center, people can arrange an appointment for the shower program.
Also unique at the Plum Street YMCA, new members can register for a Kickstart appointment with a wellness representative or a personal trainer to talk about goals and get familiar with the facilities. It’s completely optional, and some members are just super excited to explore the gym, choose their first fitness class and get started. Working out is one part of wellness at the Y, and Plum Street adds an additional health option with their saunas.
“There’s a dry sauna in the women’s locker room and a dry sauna in the men’s locker room,” Baker says. “It’s probably one of my favorite things. There are a lot of studies that show that 30 minutes in the sauna every single day are amazing for human growth hormones and helping you sleep better and open your sinuses. I try to do 30 minutes a day if I can after I work out, and it’s perfect. I go home and go straight to bed. Zonks me right out.”
Sign Up for Children’s and Youth Programing at the Plum Street YMCA
Kids and youth ages 3 to 13 can sign up for active, fun sessions that meet once per week for a month. Little Ninjas for 3- to 5-year-old kids is about learning to roll, sneak up and jump. Preschool-age children can also learn the moves for beginning ballet. Sensory LEGO Play in the Kidzone takes place in an area specially designed for children who are neurodivergent and kids who have their best experiences in smaller, quieter group play.
“I think a lot of parents who work out here will be really excited to know that there’s some youth programming, including Little Ninjas, coming to the Plum Street Y,” Baker says.
Two different age group Jazz Tap sessions are also offered at the Plum Street Y along with Sensory LEGO Play, D&D Club and a Pokémon Club where players are invited to bring their cards.
Join Fitness and Health Education Classes at the Olympia Plum Street YMCA
Members have a lively variety of fitness classes to choose from at the Plum Street YMCA in Olympia. Strength Sculpt & Stretch, Zumba, yoga, Tai Chi and Bodyattack class listings mean variety. Body Pump classes are so popular that there are eight sessions lined up each week. Some people come in for every single class, and it is always full. Cycling classes in the Plum Street cycling studio are popular and so are senior exercise and balance classes, such as seated yoga.
“One of the most important things about those classes,” Baker says of the senior exercise classes, “and the reason they’re so popular, is because they’re not just working out, they’re finding community. Seniors are finding their social network, especially after COVID, so you’ll see the same groups of seniors who want to come and take classes.”
Taking time to progress and be led through an in-person wellness course is another option. You Aren’t What You Eat is a 4-week nutrition course where members cover the 10 principles of intuitive eating, discuss topics in small groups and explore nutrition-focused resources. Sprint 8G X is led by a coach for an 8- to 10-member class utilizing special equipment, bikes and ellipticals. The 4-week, 12-session Sprint 8G X program uses a combination of Sprint Interval Training with E-lift training for the purpose of naturally burning fat and building muscle to improve one’s blood chemistry.
Members can even participate and learn virtually. The South Sound YMCA Y Mobile app provides member access to in-house class schedules at Plum Street, and the YMCA 360 app presents virtual learning from many Y locations. Members can access hundreds of live and pre-recorded classes about art, children’s science classes, nutrition, dance, cooking and group exercise.
With special focus sessions, exercise classes and wellness education opportunities, members find something for all age groups and fitness preferences. Check out the Plum Street YMCA website to learn more about all of their exciting programming.
Sponsored
