Pay BillINDEPENDENT HEALTH AND THE YMCA PRESENT
Fitness in the Parks 2025
Thanks for joining Independent Health and the YMCA for our 14th year of Fitness in the Parks! As we look forward to planning next year’s program, we want to take a moment to applaud the thousands who attended more than 500 classes this summer. Thank you, Western New York, for an incredible season.
If you joined us this summer and want to share your feedback to help us build an even better program, we’d love to hear from you!
A look at our 2025 program:
40
Outdoor classes
24
Park locations
11
Class Styles
Class Types
Western New Yorkers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate in our FREE outdoor fitness classes, led by YMCA certified instructors. It is recommended that you check with your physician before embarking on any type of fitness program.
Barre
Fusing some of the elements of ballet, Pilates, and yoga. Freestyle Barre is guaranteed to tone in a low impact, high-intensity setting. Focus is centered on postural strength and alignment along with upper and lower body strength.
Centergy
Feel yourself growing longer and stronger with this invigorating workout for the mind and body. Fundamentals from yoga and Pilates are incorporated along with athletic training for balance, mobility, flexibility, and strengthening the core.
Circuit Training
A combination of low impact and/or high impact aerobics training, bodyweight strength training, and core work makes this class a total body workout. Exercises can be tailored to a variety of levels for all to join.
Core & More
This progressive exercise program combines relaxation, flexibility and strengthening exercises to build strength and stamina in core areas, keeping you strong for life.
Pilates
Strengthen the body’s core muscles, including the abdominals and lower back, with this method of body conditioning. You’ll tone your body and increase flexibility. Please bring your own mat.
Pound®
This is a full-body cardio jam session, combining light resistance with constant simulated drumming. The workout fuses cardio, Pilates, strength movements, plyometric, and isometric poses. Pound® utilizes continual upper body motion using lightly weighted exercise drumsticks.
Strength & Movement
Get a little bit of everything in this “15/30/15” class – a 15-minute warm-up followed by 30 minutes of bodyweight strength and movement (targeting areas like glutes, abs, and core, which can be great for lower back health) and a 15-minute cool-down.
Tai Chi
Gentle movements of the body through poses, as well as static postures with mental images and a focus on breathing.
Walk to Better Health
Walk as a group while you walk at your own pace. Enjoy a short 5-minute warm-up followed by 30-40 minutes of light to brisk walking, then wind down with some light bodyweight strength training and stretching for the last 10-15 minutes.
Yoga
Enjoy gentle, effective postures that promote stretching, strengthening and relaxation. Benefits include increased blood circulation, improved mental awareness, strengthened muscles and reduced stress! Please bring your own mat.
Zumba®
Are you ready to party yourself into shape? Forget the workout – just lose yourself in the music and feel yourself getting physically fit with the original dance-fitness party! Zumba® classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats.
Frequently Asked Questions
All ages and abilities are encouraged to participate in Fitness in the Parks! It is recommended that you check with your physician before embarking on any type of fitness program. Also, some classes may be more age-appropriate than others. Please view the class descriptions for any age restrictions.
Classes will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Day-of cancellations will be listed on at least one (if not all) of the following places:
Buffalo-Niagara
Jamestown
No sign-up or registration is required! Just show up at the scheduled times.
Class offerings change each year. The 2025 downloadable schedule is available here.
All classes are taught by certified YMCA instructors.
At Independent Health, we believe a healthy community is something that everyone can benefit from. That’s why all Fitness in the Parks classes are FREE.