Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Bainbridge YMCA saw an uptick in patrons during its “Fitness. Family. Fun. For All.” events last week.

The program ran from Monday – Friday and included five days of free, family-oriented activities. YMCA Wellness Director Kim Mills said she was happy to see members and visitors come for activities. 

“It definitely was a big success,” Mills said. “We were able to invite people who are not members of the Y to get a look of the Y and see what we’re about” 

Monday was about free classes. The YMCA debuted a new “Rise and HIIT It” class led by Amy Higgins. The class focuses on high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a workout that targets fat burn. 

HIIT workouts involve short bursts of intense exercise alternated with low-intensity recovery periods, according to Grant Tinsley of Healthline.com. Higgins leads the class from 5:45-6:30 a.m. every Tuesday. 

“I love morning workouts, and I think it’s a great way to start the day,” Higgins said. “[Rise and HIIT It] is high intensity, you feel good afterward, and you’re ready to take on the day.”

Line dancing, yoga and “Butts & Guts” classes were also available to attend on the first day.

The YMCA held a bible study and worship service on Tuesday. Both were led by Moultrie YMCA Director Ben Nieman. 

Nieman said three people publicly professed their faith and a woman who was contemplating divorce chose to work on her marriage instead during the service. The YMCA will continue to hold the Nieman-led worship service and bible study every other Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m., starting this week.

“Everyone really walked out of there having had a great experience,” Mills said. “With everything that’s going on in the world today, being able to have an hour to just settle in,… that’s part of the reason we’re here.”  

Wednesday saw an obstacle course in the gym. The course took up half the gym, according to Mills, and she said it wasn’t just the kids enjoying it.

“Some of those kids, I lost count of how many times they went through,” Mills said. “Some of the parents did it, also, with the kids,… I did it with them too.”

The YMCA looked like a fairground Thursday. Mills had face painting, an inflatable slide and an obstacle course for kids to enjoy. Decatur County Fire and Rescue members brought a fire truck to the parking lot, and children could hop on the front seat and talk to the fireman. Mills said they were the main attraction. 

“Everybody loved the fire truck,” Mills said. “It was wonderful, I appreciated them coming and helping us out.”

Friday was a pool party. The YMCA opened its pool area for the public from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It was much needed; the temperature Friday peaked at 96 degrees. 

Up next for the YMCA is the renovation of its weight room. The workout area will grow, and the Y is re-doing a racquetball court that connects to the weight room and turning that space into weight room space. 

The renovations will also include new workout machines. Mills said workout equipment has evolved significantly since the YMCA last updated its weight room and that the renovations are due. Mills said she expects the renovations and new equipment installation to be finished in late August.