The North River YMCA in Hixson will start a new, free Livestrong class for young adults aged 18 to 29 this coming fall.
The program aims to help cancer survivors in both physical and emotional aspects of their health so they will have more confidence in returning to a normal life.
The class, which will meet twice a week for 90 minutes, will feature changes geared toward the demographic, like water Zumba instead of a water class, or a spin class with clean, contemporary music featuring faster tempos and heavier beats.
Further, the class will be taught by younger instructors and trainers, who can relate to and create connections with the attendees, cancer exercise specialist Michelle McDougal said in a telephone interview. McDougal said counselors or licensed therapists will address questions and topics more centered on the age group’s interest, such as reproductive health, dating after having cosmetically altering surgeries, or treatments that permanently change their bodies.
McDougal said counselors frequent the regular YMCA Livestrong class, which young people also attend. She said the participants in that class address subjects that include what steps should people take after they’ve had cancer, whereas the new class is based on positivity and geared towards participants’ futures, celebrating their accomplishment of overcoming childhood cancer.