Phone numbers
Atrium YMCA in Franklin: (513) 217-5501
Central Connections in Middletown: (513) 423-1734.
All ages like to keep fit, mind and body, no matter what the weather. This includes the members at Central Connections, 3907 Central Ave., Middletown, and the Atrium YMCA, 5750 Innovation Drive, Franklin.
Jim Burns, Atrium YMCA membership and retention director, said, “There are all ages that come to the YMCA. One couple that comes regularly is celebrating their 69th wedding anniversary February 15th. She is 89, and he is 96. They come on a regular basis and walk the treadmill.”
At Central Connections, Carolyn and Ronnie Guyton go to Silver Sneakers. “We work on balance, strength and stretching,” Carolyn said.
“Ronnie is a diabetic. He has neuropathy in his legs and he needs to keep moving. He gets better exercises here than most places.”
Carolyn’s mother, Nancy Reams, 85, exercises with them. Carolyn said, “Mother had lung cancer with two lobes removed. She exercises so she can breathe well. She gives credit to Silver Sneakers because it gives her stamina.”
Ann Munafo, executive director of Central Connections, said, “Our SilverSneakers classes and exercise room equipment are open to all Central Connection members and to all seniors who enroll as a member and have the SilverSneakers benefit.”
Assistant Executive Director Cheryl Guyton said Central Connections membership begins at age 50. “The name change to Central Connections from the Middletown Senior Center, was to better serve the ‘younger senior’ or baby-boomer population.
Guyton said, “Social activities include pool, Bingo, several card games, board games, and we have a dinner/dance every Thursday night with a live band. The physical activities don’t end with the SilverSneakers classes: We offer Zumba, Tai Chi, line dancing, chair volleyball, pickleball, an exercise room, and most recently a water fitness class that resulted from a collaboration with the Middletown YMCA. We serve lunch every day, offer weekly bible study, educational classes, and crafts to round out the experience for our members.”
YMCA Executive Director Sherry Emrick said, “We’re more than an exercise place.”
“We also build relationships between members that might not have had a connection,” said Burns. “Members expand their network because of that relationship.”
Besides exercise the YMCA is about youth development. Burns said, “We have programs that give back.” Burns said they subsidize for people who can’t afford the Y.
One of the programs YMCA has is the Livestrong, 12-week program, for cancer survivors.
Youth Sport Programs include soccer, T-ball and basketball. YMCA senior program director Karisa Steed said, “We also offer youth fitness programs such as Fun2BFit which specializes in youth with a higher BMI. We have a large group of folks who participate in Tae Keon Do classes, swim lessons and kidfit.”
Armco Steel retiree, Crawford Williams, 89-and-a-half, goes to Silver Sneakers at Central Connection five days a week. “I do general exercises to keep my body moving,” he said. “You have association with different people that has similar situations that you do.”
Central Connections volunteer, Kay Fraley, 91, a McAlpins retiree, has been going to Silver Sneakers. “If I keep doing things I won’t get rusty. It’s not just the exercise but it’s fellowship. I think the fellowship is just as important as the exercise.”
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