By JOSHUA TAUSTEIN
Dresner Corporate Services,

WARSAW — Kosciusko Community YMCA will be starting winter classes Jan. 4, and will run through Feb. 21. Classes for youth will include swim lessons, youth fitness and gymnastics classes for all ages. Registration for winter classes starts for everyone Dec. 14. 

Classes that promote the Healthy Living aspect of your Y will include group exercise and Indoor Group Cycling, classes for older adults and water aerobics in both the warm water and lap pools. Adult classes are included with a Y membership.  Starting again in January is the Endurance Ride cycling class from 9:15-10:35 a.m. Saturday mornings, for those who love cycling. New this winter the Y will be offering a TABATA based class with high-intensity interval exercises called Interval Blast. In addition to classes, the Y is offering several events to enrich your spirit, mind and body this winter.

There will be an Adult Basketball League from 7-10 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 7 through Feb. 25. Teams should have seven to ten players. Sign up by Jan. 3.

There will be Teen Nights from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 8, Feb. 19 and March 18 for ages 13-18.  This will be an opportunity for teens to get together and have fun in organized gym activities. At the January event there will be a Spikeball tournament.

The Adult Beginner Spanish 2 course starting Jan. 11 will be a basic course offering introductory Spanish for adults.  Participants will learn to listen, speak, read and write while enjoying the rewards of lifelong learning and gaining the skills to connect to the Spanish speaking members of the community. The class meets from 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 11 through Feb. 29. in the Multi-Purpose Room 2. Sign up by Jan. 11.

The Y and Parkview Health will offer free A1C tests in the Parkview Center for Healthy Living in the YMCA lobby from 6-9 a.m. Jan. 21. This test will help determine if a person is pre-diabetic. If they are, the Y is offering the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention class to keep it from advancing into diabetes. The class begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26. For more information on the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, contact Stacy Thomas at [email protected] or (574) 269-9622, ext. 216. 

The YMCA’s 12 Weeks to Fitness program starts Jan. 25 and will help participants maintain a healthy weight and promote overall health through exercise and nutrition. The 12 week program includes Monday night nutrition classes, and Tuesday and Thursday morning and evening fitness sessions. Pre and post Chem30 tests are included. Sign up by Jan. 20.

The Couch Potato Triathlon Fitness Incentive for Y Members is meant to keep participants engaged and active in their New Year Resolutions. This is a six-week program designed to help participants stay motivated through the winter months by completing a Triathlon at the Y- 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling, and 26.2 miles of running.  Youth ages 15 and under may complete half a Triathlon, 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles of cycling and 13.1 miles of running. The Couch Potato Triathlon runs Feb. 1 through March 7. 

CPR classes will be offered to the community from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 16. If CPR certification is needed for a job or if someone wants to be more prepared to handle an emergency they can sign up for this American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR class. The class will teach adult, child and infant CPR and AED use, but does not include first-aid. This three-hour class provides a two-year certification. Please contact the Welcome Center to register by February 14. There is a cost for participation and certification.

The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. All the efforts and offerings of the Kosciusko Community YMCA are guided by the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.  Through October of 2015, the Kosciusko Community YMCA provided $145,573 in financial assistance to make sure that happens.