BARRIE - You can stand up, lie down, or even recline upside down facing the ceiling on a brand new fitness contraption at the Barrie YMCA.

Men and women of all ages have been eager to sign up for sessions with the Gravity Fitness System, says Barrie YMCA general manager Mike O’Callaghan.

“We just launched it at the Barrie YMCA about a month ago,” O’Callaghan says. “The response has been incredible. We purchased 10, each with a value of approximately $3,000.”

Instead of traditional bars and dumbbells, the Gravity system uses pulleys and body weight to work muscles, providing a full body workout. The levels can be adjusted to give beginners and more experienced exercisers the opportunity to customize their workouts, all done under the watchful, trained eye of a coach.

“We’re thrilled to offer this exciting new opportunity for a truly state-of-the-art workout,” says Paul Robinson, vice president of health, fitness and recreation for the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka. “It’s like having your own personal trainer with you at all times.”

The popularity of the Gravity machines has been immediate. The ‘Y’ is offering 17 sessions a week, with a maximum of 10 participants per class.

“Another benefit is it allows people to work out together in a social environment,” says O’Callaghan, “and the speed of results is much faster that what you would typically see in a group fitness setting.”

Triathlon athlete Kellie Innes, who makes the machine part of her workout, has been a member of the YMCA for almost 18 years.

“I was among the first to sign up for Gravity,” she says. “What I really like is you can work at your own pace. You can increase intensity on the glide board to make it more challenging, or lower it for beginners. It’s great for everybody.”

Bob Sebert is 75 years old and has also been coming to the Barrie Y for years. He’s involved in many fitness activities and runs the squash program.

“I have a very stiff neck and the machine lets me release the stress,” Sebert says. “It’s phenomenal. I don’t do it every day, but it compliments everything else I do at the YMCA. The training staff here is 10 out of 10.”

“What we find is a nice segue between group exercise and individual fitness,” Robinson adds.

“Resistance training is the best way to do it. Here, there’s a better response for beginners because they are in a group with an instructor.”



“If you’re 75 years old and you don’t have your health, you’ve got nothing,” Sebert cautions. “The Y is a very important part of my life.”

For more information on the Gravity Fitness System and other YMCA programs, call 726-9622.