Active Older Adults, or AOA, at the YMCA of Greater Charlotte has become a thriving group of adults ages 55 and older who connect with each other through a variety of fitness classes, wellness seminars, social activities and outings. Many YMCA of Greater Charlotte branches have very lively and committed groups.

Ann Pearce used to bring her husband to water exercise classes at the Simmons YMCA. She says the YMCA was one of the few places that he could go and that “the days that he came to the Y were his good days.” The last few years that he was alive, he was unable to come to the Y at all, so she dropped her membership.

After he passed in 2005, Ann and her friend, Carolyn Gilbert joined the YMCA together and have been coming ever since. They attend the Pilates and Lite and Lively group exercise classes regularly and they attend many of the Active Older Adult functions such as “lunch bunch”, tea time and day trips.

“The Y is my home away from home and Carolyn and I are thankful to have a place to go that has been so good for our spirits, minds and bodies. We have made many new friends at the Y and are even planning a beach trip with 2 friends that we made in the Lite and Lively class. We are very excited that the Y is starting to go on trips because we are always ready to go somewhere fun with our YMCA family,” says Ann.

If you are an Active Older Adult looking to get involved, the following is a list of contact information for Active Older Adult groups by branch and some of the main ways the groups connect at each branch.