Physical therapy has replaced retail therapy at the Galleria at Erieview. In place of clothing racks at the mall's former Victoria's Secret, the Limited and Express stores, rows of treadmills, weight machines and more occupy those spaces as the new Parker-Hannifin Downtown YMCA. Open to everyone but geared at working professionals and downtown residents, the 40,000-square-foot facility opens this month. Executive director Laura Floyd coaches us through three of the new Y's features.
HealthSpan Clinic: The Y is partnering with insurance and health care provider HealthSpan to offer urgent care, health screenings and nutrition consultations in 18,000 square feet of its second floor, which includes four exam rooms. "If a member has a health issue that they want to talk to a medical provider about, that's what the clinic will provide," says Floyd.
Networked Machines: Gone are the days of fighting over the gym remote. The Y's more than 30 treadmills, cross-training and elliptical machines have their own screen console to watch TV. The machines sync with fitness app Preva, which lets you earn tokens for reaching certain milestones. "You would be surprised with how competitive people get with it," says Floyd.
Y-Cycle Spinning Studio: Take one of 40 sleek Keiser stationary bikes — the newest on the market — for a spin. During classes, instructors push your legs and lungs to their limits. But riders shouldn't be discouraged if they can't handle that intensity. "If you're a beginning rider and your legs aren't as strong as you need them to be, start at resistance level one," says Floyd.
Massage Therapy and Acupuncture: The new downtown Y has two massage therapy rooms and a variety of sessions with licensed massage therapists and acupuncturists, which can be useful for post-run cool-downs. "Massage therapy can relax your legs and be part of your rehabilitation process," says Floyd.
