Reaching Your Fitness Goals

Joining one of the largest Y’s in the country, like Countryside YMCA I Lebanon can feel overwhelming at first. We often joke with new members that you will get your steps in just exploring our facility and exploring all its amenities. With 5 indoor pools, 2 indoor walking tracks, and 5 fitness studios, and a 13,000 sqft Cardio Strength Center (CSC)  it can be difficult to know where to start. However, Countryside YMCA is more than just a gym, it truly is a  place to grow, challenge yourself, and build meaningful connections. Whether you’re looking to achieve new fitness goals, get active, or make new friends, the YMCA has something for everyone.

This guide will help you navigate your Y experience, helping you to make the most of your first thirty days with us.

Explore What is Included In Your Membership

Under The Programs tab on our website you will find a Health and Wellness webpage that highlight many member benefits included in your membership like:

  • 3 Free Member Coaching Sessions & 2 Body Composition Scans No sales – Just support. You already took the biggest step, by joining the gym because your Doctor said your cholesterol was too high, or you are looking to lose some weight before your summer trip to the beach. But you joined more than a gym, you joined the Y. Which means we have all been in your shoes at some point or another and now it is our turn to pay it forward. We have 5 member coaches who are available in person or virtually to meet with you. During your first 30 minute session a coach will help you design a personalized 30 day plan. And help break down that goal into action items. For example, come to the Y twice a week to lap swim in the competition pool before work. They can help you download our app and sign up for your first group fitness class. Did someone say “Rocking the Waves” with Becky on Monday nights? During your second 30 minute session you will have an opportunity to discuss how your plan is working and make necessary changes. For example maybe you find the competition pool a little cold for you in the mornings, and want to try swimming laps in the Family Aquatics Center (FAC) in the evenings (located in the lower level). Or maybe you tried using the new ellipticals in the Cardio Strength Center (CSC) but couldn’t figure out the best settings for your body type, and need a quick orientation on the fitness equipment. During your second session you will also have the opportunity to get a body composition analysis, which goes beyond the scale and analyzes how much fat, muscle, and body water you have. If you have ever committed to exercising in the past but quickly get discouraged when the number on the scale doesn’t move. This is a great tool to see the positive impact exercising is having on your body from the inside out, and will help provide motivation and encouragement to keep going. And on your third and final 30 minute session with a coach you will review your progress, and make necessary changes and again have an opportunity to get a second complimentary body composition analysis to see what progress you have made over the last 30 days. And what members find the most impactful is now they have made one strong connection at the Y, and have someone to say hello to on their way to their next group fitness class. 
  • Over 100 Free Group Fitness Classes Did you know you are 95% more likely to achieve your goals with others? If you have not found working out to be fun in the past, group fitness is the perfect place to start. No matter your interests we have a class for you, and offer over 100 different classes a week to meet your busy schedule. A little shy try Yoga or Barre in our Spirit Studio upstairs (near the physical desk just inside our main entrance). Looking for high energy tunes Zumba and Pound will feel more like a dance party than a cardio session. Up for a challenge then Cycle Spin and Muscle Max will do just that. The best part is the built in accountability and encouragement from others in the class.
  • Access to a Library of Livestream Workouts with YMCA360 Thats right you can now stream your favorite YMCA classes, anywhere-anytime. Because life happens. That’s right when your little one wakes up with a low grade fever Monday morning (because it is always a Monday for some reason) you do not have to miss your favorite class you can stream it on your Smartphone or TV and get your workout in right there in your living room. 

Level Up Your Fitness

You will also have an opportunity to level up your membership. With add ons like: 

    • 24 Hour Access We are thrilled to share that we added 24-hour access to both our Lebanon and Landen locations in 2024, and have had over 600 members take advantage of this add on, which only cost $30/annually for members 18 years of age or older, for their special keyfob, which access our fitness centers during unstaffed hours (Lebanon only includes access to Cardio Strength Center, Spin Studio, and Track One). We understand many of our members work remotely, or may work outside of first shift, and we are thrilled to offer this add on to our members so that you can get your workout in on your time. 
  • MyZone Switch or Open Myzone MZ-Switch, is the world’s first interchangeable heart rate monitor for the gym, outdoors, or in water (that is right we are talking to you lap swimmers). Wearable three ways, switch between the chest, wrist and arm, depending on your choice of physical activity and is only $85 for monitor. Myzone is an accurate fitness tracker and online social platform that rewards effort for all physical activity, helping more people around the world to feel good about exercise. Interested in MyZone, but not interested in adding one more thing to your gym bag? Last year we started offering MZ-Open, which allows Countryside YMCA members to access the Myzone ecosystem from their Apple or Android smart watch. Myzone is an accurate fitness tracker and online social platform that rewards effort for all physical activity, helping more people around the world to feel good about exercise. Log MyZone workouts anywhere from your smartwatch! Use your smartwatch to enable MY-Zone technology for your workouts for only $30/year. The technology is available on Apple, Google Pixel or Samsung smartwatches. Download the Myzone App on your phone and your watch and you will be able to see your tile on your watch and our TV Screens in The CSC. Simply register at the front desk and we will activate MZ-Open for you. MZ-Open can be used with or without a Myzone belt or watch.
  • Personal Training Did you know we offer personal, one-on-one fitness training with a qualified and certified personal trainer at a fraction of the cost? If you are looking for consistent accountability we suggest our Monthly Personal Training Subscription which is our best value! We offer both 30 minute and 60 minute training sessions, with options of 1x/week, 2x/week, or 3x/week depending on your goals. This subscription is billed monthly on the 1st, and does not require a contract. However if you are looking for a little more flexibility we suggest buying a personal training package, which can be used anytime within a year of the purchase date. Start small with 2, 30-minute sessions or increase your commitment and savings and purchase a package of up to 40, 30 minute sessions.

At Countryside YMCA we are here to support you from day one making the most of your member benefits or years down the road, as we offer new tools, resources, and programs to challenge you physically, mentally, and spiritually. Take the first step today and make the most of your YMCA experience!