Fitness Testing Update

The YMCA Blue Ridge Leaders’ School has always been firmly committed to advancing the leadership qualities of its Leaders through the thoughtful use of physical fitness programming. As times change and knowledge grows, so does the programming offered by the YMCA. Just as the peach baskets of James Naismith evolved into today’s nets, and the chrome plated “Universal” weight stations of yesterday have been replaced with Precor and Cybex equipment, BRLS is evolving to remain relevant and fresh in the YMCA of 2017 and beyond.

Beginning immediately, the School will shift to a personalized assessment /goal setting approach that will challenge high performers while at the same time educate and inspire those at a lower level of physical fitness.  Our vision for the future is to create not just a process, but a culture that helps grow the Leaders based upon all three sides of the YMCA triangle – Spirit, Mind, AND Body. While we will continue to lift up the “C” in many ways at the School and written tests will always challenge the mind, we will set a new direction for the Body side of our important work.

Effective in June 2017, we will assess the Leaders (and adults) in four areas of physical fitness – core strength, cardiovascular health, flexibility and general strength. These four areas are identified by YMCA and collegiate health experts as a solid base for ANY balanced approach to wellness. The measurement methods for each area are as follows:

Core Strength- Measured via a basic military abdominal crunch
Cardiovascular Health- Measured via the heart rate at the conclusion of a 3 minute cardio-step test
Flexibility- Measured via a standard “sit and reach” box or floor marking.
General Strength- Measured via a full body push up with a target elbow angle of 90 degrees.

When the Leader has focused goals in each of these areas, and receives caring, competent adult guidance at their local YMCA throughout the year, we are confident that the numbers attained each year will be eclipsed the following year. We are steadfast in our belief a person’s growth and progress matter more than a static measurement based upon an arbitrary calculation. Thus we will not teach to the test or hang a number out that for many teens hold no challenge or motivation.

Every Leader will leave the School with a measurement in each area and an individualized goal for the following year. We will then invite and encourage the local club to repeat the assessment at 90 day cycles so that progress can be celebrated. Upon return to BRLS the following year, his/her last measurement will be the floor for current performance.  The School shall also compile the actual fitness levels for each age group and publish this as a median. This age and gender based average will become a target for each first year leader. Each year we will be able to track the overall fitness level improvement and use that data to direct our resources.

The timing of these assessments will change in 2017 as well. We have heard from all segments of the School and many stakeholder groups that the Saturday/Sunday testing was viewed as a negative experience. Based upon this input and much discernment, the primary assessment will move to Tuesday and this will replace the mid-term exam for each Leader’s fitness class. As such, should a Leader not meet his/her goal moving forward, it will constitute failing a percentage of the class. This may impact his/her passing of the School but other factors will influence the final score just as it always has. Failing to meet their fitness goal does not ensure a failing grade just as passing it does not guarantee passing the School.

We will use 2017 as a calibration year and where applicable, use the target fitness levels for the past 10 years as a reference point. This will give the clubs some measure of consistency and comfort as we move together towards the new mindset of improvement.

For further conversation and questions, please feel free to reach out!

Greg Hall
YMCA Blue Ridge Leaders School
greghall@yblueridge.org