YMCA of Vincennes Member Places 1st at Festivus Games
YMCA of Vincennes Member John Witshork Places 1st at Festivus Games
Local realtor John Witshork has been a member of the YMCA of Vincennes for 4 years. While Witshork likes to use the Y facilities for cardio, flexibility and mobility training, he also has another passion that can’t be found in Vincennes. Witshork is a “Crossfitter”. Crossfit is a high-intensity fitness program that incorporates elements from several sports and types of exercise. Witshork is a member of a Crossfit facility in Lawrenceville and recently competed in a competition in Jasper where he placed 1st in his division. The competition consisted of lifting and cardio endurance and included four different workouts. When asked how the YMCA has helped his Crossfit training, Witshork stated “The YMCA has different team sports activities that focus on different groups of muscles and coordination and helps build teamwork.” Witshork participates in coed volleyball in the fall and says that has helped with his plyometrics. Witshork is looking forward to continuing his training at the YMCA and participating in more competitions in the future.
To learn more about the YMCA wellness facilities, contact Wellness Coordinator Amanda Smith at wellness@vincennesymca.org or 812-895-9622.
Rock Steady Boxing Receives Donation
Silver Strength Instructor John Ivers happily accepts $200 in ones from YMCA member Mike Robinson after weight loss challenge.
Instructor John Ivers and YMCA member Mike Robinson made a friendly bet back in February to see who could lose the most weight in one month. Both men were looking to lose a few pounds and thought a little competition might be enough to motivate them. After 4 weeks, Ivers had lost 4.78% of his body weight and Robinson had lost 2.37%, declaring Ivers the winner. Robinson wasn’t ready to pay up though and bet Ivers double or nothing that he’d lose more if they extended the deadline. This time they decided to go 8 weeks instead of 4 and not have weekly weigh ins so their opponent wouldn’t know how they were progressing.
With the help of his girlfriend, YMCA Wellness Coordinator Amanda Smith, Robinson was able to lose a total of 7-1/2 pounds or 3.25% of his body weight. That wasn’t good enough though, as Ivers came ready to win and lost a total of 19 pounds, bringing his total to 8.74% body weight lost. Because the bet was all in good fun and a friendly competition to motivate each other to lose a little weight, both men agreed that they’d donate their winnings back to the YMCA. Ivers is a coach for the Rock Steady Boxing program at the Y so it seemed only fitting that the money go to purchase new supplies for the program.
Rock Steady Boxing is a program designed to give people with Parkinson’s disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing-based fitness curriculum. The YMCA of Vincennes recently acquired the RSB affiliation and has been focused on expanding the program since. There are currently 11 registered participants and numerous coaches and cornermen involved in the program.
If you’d like to make a donation to the Rock Steady Boxing program or the YMCA general fund or you know someone with Parkinson’s disease or another neurological disorder who is interested in joining Rock Steady Boxing, please contact Amanda Smith at wellness@vincennesymca.org or 812-895-9622.
