The Livestrong Program at the YMCA for Post-Treatment Strength and Community

Certain YMCA locations offer a 12-week health and fitness program that provides physical and emotional support for people with cancer. BezzyBC members love it.

Your local YMCA has long been the place to be for aerobics classes, youth sports, and a judgment-free weight room. Now, it’s also the place to be if you’re living with, through, or beyond cancer.

Numerous YMCA locations in the United States are offering a 12-week health and fitness program in partnership with the Livestrong Foundation. The program provides physical and emotional support for people with or recovering from cancer.

Here’s what to know about this unique initiative and how you can take part.

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What to expect from the Livestrong YMCA program

Livestrong’s program at the Y dates back to 2007 when these two nonprofits joined forces to create a much-needed experience just for people with and in recovery from cancer. According to the YMCA, nearly 77,000 people have participated as of this writing.

With 12 weeks of twice-weekly meetings, the Livestrong program spans enough time to cover lots of ground.

In each 75- to 90-minute session, YMCA certified health and fitness instructors may lead you through cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance, flexibility exercises, or even dance.

According to BezzyBC member Dogmama, her group participates in a number of activities, including:

• cardio machines
• weightlifting
• aqua aerobics
• tai chi
• Zumba

Before you start the program, you’ll take a fitness and quality of life evaluation. Then, upon completing the 12 weeks, you’ll retake these assessments to give you a sense of how you’ve progressed.

Beyond the physical fitness aspect of the Livestrong program, it’s also a place to connect with others who are experiencing or have experienced cancer. Depending on your instructor and your fellow class members, sessions may include time to talk through some of the emotional challenges of this disease.

“We are in our 9th week of the 12-week program and have developed such a friendship and support network amongst one another,” said BezzyBC member Dogmama. “I desperately needed that emotional support, and I found it with this group.”

She also shared that the group received a free 12-week membership to the YMCA and started meeting outside of the program to swim on Saturdays.

Program requirements

The Livestrong program is free and doesn’t require a YMCA membership.

However, you must be at least 18 years old and in active treatment for or recovery from cancer to participate. You’ll also need a referral and medical clearance from your physician.

If your physical ability is dampened by chemotherapy or cancer itself, you may need to wait until your energy levels increase.

The program meets twice a week for 12 weeks. Though attendance at every class isn’t mandatory, you’ll want to commit to getting there as often as possible for maximum benefits.

Benefits of joining a Livestrong program

It’s not hard to see why joining a fitness community with others experiencing cancer could boost your mental and physical health. In fact, researchers from Yale University analyzed the effects of the Livestrong program in a 2017 study. 

Their findings? After 12 weeks, those who participated in the Y program had increased physical activity, improved times on a 6-minute walking test, and greater quality of life than the control group. 

Similarly, a 2011 study emphasized the beneficial effects of joining a cancer support group for mental health. When participants with breast cancer took part in a peer support group, they had significant improvements in feelings of vitality, social functioning, emotional health, and mental health.

It’s possible you might experience the same kind of emotional boost from the Livestrong program. Getting active during cancer treatment might also enhance your physical recovery.

According to the American Cancer Society, exercise is safe for most people before, during, and after cancer treatment. Experts recommend working up to 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week after cancer recovery. 

Doing so can bring benefits like:

• strengthening your immune system
• increasing your appetite
• improving your muscle tone and strength
• helping you get better sleep
• reducing fatigue

How to find a Livestrong program near you

Finding a Livestrong program at a Y near you is simple. Visit the program’s official website and search locations by your ZIP code. With more than 650 YMCAs nationwide offering the program, you’ll likely find one nearby. 

Can’t find a Y close by that offers Livestrong sessions? Share the information with your local branch and encourage them to apply for approval.

Takeaway

If your cancer journey could use some extra support, the Livestrong program could be a great fit. You’ll not only work toward increasing your strength and stamina but also meet others in the same place in life.

No matter where you’re at on the road from diagnosis to recovery, the combination of physical and emotional support might be just what you need.