Recognizing myriad ways the pandemic has affected the community’s mental and physical health, the Sewickley Valley YMCA is spearheading the STRONG challenge, which kicks off Oct. 12.

The challenge is open to the community – nonmembers included – and features a free, six-week challenge that is “designed to transform your spirit, mind and body,” according to the YMCA.

“We wanted to do this as a way to help everyone in the community get their legs back under them, in terms of taking care of themselves, their health and reconnecting with other people,” said Sewickley Valley YMCA CEO Trish Hooper. “Looking at how everyone’s schedules have been disrupted, we wanted to give people an easy way to think about their health and wellness again, do something small for themselves to get started on that journey.”

Participants will have access to activities, challenges, workouts, motivation and more. The Y’s website features live and on-demand classes, and nonmembers in the challenge will be able to visit the facility once a week during the program.

Sewickley Valley YMCA has implemented a number of safety precautions in light of the pandemic, including health and temperature screenings upon entry, limited capacity fitness classes to allow for social distancing, cardio equipment has been moved far apart with plexiglass screens in front of it and more. However, Hooper recognizes that while many people miss the social connections and support they had pre-pandemic, not everyone is comfortable physically coming into the Y to work out.

“Not everyone is ready to come back to the Y,” she said. “We want to make sure we are providing opportunities for them as well so that they can connect with Y programming virtually, join the Facebook group for the challenge, provide activities out in the community … we want people to come back together in a way that feels right for them.”

While other YMCAs are doing similar challenges, the STRONG challenge is specific to the Sewickley community.

The community can join the challenge by texting YSTRONG to 855-910-9341 or visiting http://bit.ly/YSTRONG.

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