Group Exercise Class Descriptions

Group exercise classes at North Penn YMCA are a great way to stay fit and connect with friends and expert instructors. Classes operate on a scheduled basis. To learn more about the classes we offer at our branches, find the descriptions below. For branch, day and time information, please visit our schedules.

ACTIVE CHAIR YOGA | ALL LEVELS
This class is a gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting in a chair and standing using a chair for support. This practice can improve flexibility, strength, balance,
and concentration while boosting your mood and reducing stress and joint strain. The class flows with intention linking the breath to movement. This class is appropriate for all levels.

AOA BODY TONING – A fun mix of dynamic sequences and static exercises designed to work on balance, muscle endurance, mobility and agility. Small equipment such as stability balls and hand held weights will be used during this class.

ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS (AOA) CARDIO TONE | ALL LEVELS Combine fun and fitness to increase your cardiovascular and muscular endurance power with a standing circuit workout. Upper body strength works using hand-held weights.

BARRELATES | ALL LEVELS Get the best of both worlds: Barre meets Pilates! This fusion class combines the dynamic, dance-inspired movements of barre with the lengthening, strengthening exercises of mat Pilates.

BUTTS N GUTS | ALL LEVELS All levels | This class is a special focus class just for your lower body! Sculpt, shape, and strengthen your abdominal, buttock, and thigh muscle groups in this targeted, high-impact workout. This class will strengthen and tone all your core muscles.

CARDIO BARRE – An upbeat, high-energy class that combines traditional, lightweight barre exercises with non-stop, fat-burning metabolic movements.

CARDIO CORE & STRETCH | ALL LEVELS A form of martial arts that involves punches and kicks at four contact points; the two hands and feet. Cardio Kickboxing is a good form of cardiovascular exercise

CARDIO KICK AND TONE | ALL LEVELS A form of martial arts that involves punches and kicks at four contact points: the two hands and feet. Kickboxing is a good form of cardio exercise and has been shown to improve participants’ resting heart rate. For the toning portion, weights will be used.

CARDIO INTERVAL | ALL LEVELS A mix of high-intensity cardio and strength training. Modifications are offered to lower the intensity and impact.

CARDIO KICKBOXING | ALL LEVELS A form of martial arts that involves punches and kicks at four contact points; the two hands and feet. Cardio Kickboxing is a good form of cardiovascular exercise and has been shown to improve participants’ VO2 max and decrease resting heart rate. Remember your towel, water and yoga mat.

CARDIO STEP AND TONE – An energetic cardio and toning class using the step and small for equipment to increase not only your metabolism but also your resistance to fatigue.

CYCLING | ALL LEVELS Awesome music and great instructors set the pace for this terrific aerobic workout on stationary bikes. Climb hills, sprint, race and more in a group setting – fun and challenging whether you are a new rider or cycling enthusiast.

FAST N FURIOUS | INT-ADV A boot camp-style class that includes high-energy cardio intervals mixed with strength training exercises.

GENTLE YOGA Move your whole body through a complete series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of seated and standing postures designed to increase flexibility, balance and range of movement. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation promote stress reduction and mental clarity.

GENTLE YOGA | BEGINNER LEVEL This class is a gentle hatha style yoga class It is performed at a much slower pace, with less intense positions, and usually includes extended time for meditation and breath work and relaxation. This class usually includes more warm up movements, and the yoga postures are often held for longer times. Modifications are done to help people enjoy the benefits of yoga without putting themselves at risk for injuries. There is a stronger emphasis on stretching, low-impact movements in these classes.

HARD CORE High Intensity, High Repetitions, High Adrenaline. Challenge your cardio and muscular endurance limits.

HIIT | INT-ADV HIIT is a rigorous interval training sequence with high-intensity exercises. HIIT gets and keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time. This is a total body workout with lots of burn

KICK N TONE | ALL LEVELS This class is a form of martial arts that involves punches and kicks at four contact points: the two hands and feet. It is a good form of cardiovascular exercise and has been shown to improve participants’ VO2 max and decrease resting heart rate. Don’t forget your towel, water, and yoga mat.

KICKBOXING INTERVAL | ALL LEVELS Kickboxing Interval alternates between kickboxing and strength training. You will get a kickboxing workout along with intervals of toning. Truly an all body workout with both cardio and strength training.

LATIN HIIT | ALL LEVELS This class is hot, hot, hot! Burn calories while you shake up your workout through Latin-fused dance moves and music. Toning is included in this workout so get ready to sweat and sculpt.

PILATES | ALL LEVELS Strengthen and lengthen your entire body with the main focus being on the ‘core’ of the body (abs & back). Stability balls and Pilates rings may be used.

PILATES WITH A POP A combination of dance and pilates fundamentals with high energy cardio accompanied by upbeat music. Small equipment may be used to intensify this amazing workout.

POWER YOGA | ALL LEVELS Release stress, increase flexibility and build strength while moving at a steady pace through yoga postures.

PURE STRENGTH Work your muscles in every way possible. Designed to build strength, add definition, increase your bone density and decrease your body fat by increasing your lean muscle.

RELEASE AND RESTORE YOGA This is an intro to yoga class, practiced seated and/or standing. Experience a deep sense of peace, calm, and connection with gentle stretches, poses, and movement. No mats necessary.

RESTORATIVE STRETCHING | ALL LEVELS This class is focused on spending time in various poses, with the purpose of flexibility and relaxation. Chair compatible.

SILVER SNEAKERS CLASSIC | ALL LEVELS Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activities for daily living. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and Silver Sneaker balls are offered for resistance.

SILVER SNEAKERS CIRCUIT | ALL LEVELS Combine fun with fitness to increase your cardiovascular and muscular endurance power with a standing circuit workout. Upper body strength work with hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a SilverSneakers™ ball is alternated with non-impact aerobic choreography.

STRONG NATION | INT-ADV STRONG Nation™ combines body weight, muscle conditioning, cardio and plyometric training moves synced to original music that has been specifically designed to match every move.

TABATA | ADV Very intense form of interval training. Short bursts of cardiovascular drills combined with strength exercises. Great for athletes and those wanting a challenge!

TABATA BOOT CAMP Designed for MAXIMUM calorie burn in the shortest amount of time. Combines strength, cardio, muscle endurance, flexibility and core. Get fit; get healthy.

TABATA BOXING – Classic Tabata interval training which alternates between short, high intensity work intervals and rest. Basic boxing skills are used in this dynamic workout.

TABATA HIIT | INT-ADV Blends two dynamic forms into one intense class.Short bursts of cardiovascular drills combined with strength exercises. Burn fat, increase strength, endurance, speed and agility. Each class focuses on cardio, strength and core.

TAI CHI | ALL LEVELS Tai chi is a series of gentle physical exercises and stretches. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion. Tai chi is sometimes described as meditation in motion because it promotes serenity through gentle movements —connecting the mind and body.

VINYASA FLOW YOGA – A sequence of yoga postures pieced together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. The variety of yoga poses help develop a mind/body awareness.

YOGA The first step to a healthy body is listening to it and learning how to release stress and tension. Achieve this by combining slow, controlled stretching with deep conscious breathing.

ZUMBA – ALL LEVELS A fusion of Latin and international music combining fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body.

ZUMBA GOLD | ALL LEVELS Popular Latin-dance-inspired workout makes it accessible for seniors, beginners or anyone needing modification. Build cardiovascular health while working the muscles of the hips, legs and arms.

ZUMBA TONING | ALL LEVELS We provide 1 and 2.5 lb sand-filled toning sticks for a safe effective total body toning workout! No previous dance or Zumba class experience is necessary.

ZUMBA GOLD TONING We provide 1 and 2.5 lb sand-filled toning sticks for a safe effective total body toning workout for our active older adults, seniors, beginners or anyone needing modification in their exercise routine.

LES MILLS™ CLASSES | 16 YRS+ Great music and passionate instructors inspire exhilarating workouts. Each class is choreographed to music. Please do not enter the class 5 minutes after scheduled start time for safety reasons.

BODYBALANCE™ | ALL LEVELS Yoga-based class that improves your mind, your body and your life. During BODYBALANCE™, an inspired soundtrack plays as you bend and stretch through a series of simple yoga moves and embrace elements of Tai Chi and Pilates.

BODYPUMP™ | ALL LEVELS The fastest way in the universe to get in shape! BodyPump™ is the most popular group fitness program. A revolutionary weight-training workout that strengthens, tones and defines every muscle in your body.

RPM™ | INT-ADV Experience the ride of your life! RPM™ is a fun, athletic, cardiovascular cycling workout. Set to a jamming soundtrack, RPM™ is known by devotees as “the rock concert on wheels”.

Group Exercise Class Information

Still have questions about our group exercise classes? Read below or contact our directors, listed below:

Indian Valley Branch
[email protected] or 215-723-3569, ext. 129

Lansdale Branch
Email Dave Stauffer @ [email protected] or 215-368-1601, ext. 216

Most of the classes are included with your FULL membership, with the exception of a few small group training classes such as Boxing, TRX and Boxing/TRX Fusion. Classes that require a fee are Highlighted in YELLOW on the schedule outside of each of the studios.

You may participate in any of the group exercise classes that are included with a full membership.

As with any physical activity, you should consult with your doctor prior to starting a different exercise program. There is a detailed description of each class in the back of each session brochure that should help you to determine if a class is right for you. If you are still in doubt, please feel free to talk to the instructor or the Group Exercise Coordinator for more information.

For our CARDIO and STRENGTH classes, a breathable t-shirt or workout top are ideal, with shorts, pants, leggings or capris and standard athletic shoes. No open toed shoes, sandals or flip flops.

For CYCLE classes, a breathable t-shirt or workout top works great, with athletic shoes or cycling shoes with clips. Please do not wear flared long pants during cycling classes, as they can be a safety hazard around the gears of the bikes. Form fitting pants or shorts are a much better choice.

For MIND/BODY classes like Pilates and yoga, loose-fitting clothing may interfere with movement.

For our MIND/BODY classes, you are welcome to bring your own yoga mat; although there are mats available in the equipment closets. A bottle of water is always helpful.

For all other classes, a bottle of water and a positive attitude will greatly enhance your class experience.

Try to arrive at least 10 minutes early if you’re new to cycle classes. This gives you plenty of time to get your bike set up properly. Your instructor will guide you on the appropriate seat and handle settings for your height and build.

You’ll want to have water or a sports drink with you, as you will sweat! Cycling shorts are a good option for comfort, though not necessary.

Join a Facebook Group! Connect with class friends and instructors, get class information and stay-in-touch via our Facebook groups. Join using the links below: