Not Your YMCA of Yesterday

The Red Bank Community YMCA used to just be a place where you went to work out. However, with the Y’s recent $1 million renovation just about complete, it’s been upgraded in the age of social networking to be more of a welcoming environment for members to socialize, as well as getting their work out on.  

Indeed, from the time you step through the automated doors into the reception area, the change in the Community Y is evident. The open and airy lobby space is as refreshing as the “help yourself” coffee bar that is located directly to your left and to your right, what used to be the children’s play room has doubled in size. 

“We wanted members to spend time together in a social environment and interact,” Andrea Plaza, vice president of communications and collaborations, said.

Certainly, that has been achieved. With a number of spaces carved out throughout the building that lend to socializing and networking, with the addition of tables and chairs. While waiting for the next Zumba class to begin or for your pilates class to start, you can sit and chat with other members in an area that is comfortable and cozy. 

This is not the YMCA of yesteryear. There has been a complete overhaul from the grounds and landscaping to new carpeting, tile flooring and the installation of two Wii’s in the “Youth and Teen Zone,” along with Mac computers - to oversized flat screen televisions in the “Wellness Center.” All of this has created a buzz among members who have been coming to the Y for years, like Pam Fingado, of Shrewsbury, who has been a member for over 10 years.

“This is a great organization,” said Fingado. “It is top notch from great equipment to a great staff that is real helpful. It beats any place in the area to workout. What the Y represents is that it has everything anybody would want the classes, beautiful space and gym.”

There’s a docking station called “FitLinx” that is connected to all the equipment that measures members’ progress and gives them a report. This futuristic feature helps them to monitor how close they are to achieving their goals.

For those members who want more of a quiet workout there is the “Health Seeker Room,” which is equipped with much of the same cardio and strength training equipment found in the “Wellness Center,” but in a smaller environment.

Meanwhile, the renovations took on a community and civic minded component.  Employees from Morgan Stanley and Smith Barney financial institution volunteered their time to assist in the Y’s beautification and grounds program.  LaStella Bros. Lawn care and Landscaping in Eatontown designed the landscape topography, while the volunteers executed their design. The Guy Hembling Company was the construction manger on site and, according to Plaza, 98 percent of the work has been completed. There are only a few areas that still are undergoing work. However, Plaza expects those areas to be finished in a matter of a few days. That will bring the renovation to an end.

In the meantime, The Red Bank Community YMCA from an economic point of view is the best game in town, when it comes to buying a membership. A family membership is $92 a month and includes workout classes such as yoga, spinning and tai chi, along with aquatics. An individual adult membership is $69 a month that includes the same amenities as the family membership. For seniors ages 62 and older the fee is $56 a month and for senior couples the rate is $83 a month.  For teens 14-17 the monthly membership fee is $20.60. For young adults between the ages of 18-23 the fee is $45. There is a joining fee that ranges from $200 for a family membership to $125 for seniors. For more information about memberships please call (732) 741-2504.