El Dorado YMCA

10/15/2026

💪🏻 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: KERA | HYROX BOSTON 2026 🇺🇸

From coaching others at the Y to pushing herself on the HYROX competition floor, Kera knows what it takes to show up, put in the work, and keep challenging yourself! 🔥

After completing a HYROX Doubles event in Arizona earlier this year, Kera didn’t hesitate when Chelsea invited her to join the Women’s Relay team in Boston.

Her events included the 80-meter burpee broad jumps and 80-meter sandbag lunges, and she absolutely crushed it — finishing 7th out of 78 teams in the burpee broad jumps! 👏🏻

So, how did she prepare? By training her body to run even when her legs were already exhausted.

And as Kera put it, “let’s face it, EVERYONE hates burpees.”

But HYROX is about more than physical strength. Kera emphasized the importance of knowing your limits and staying intentional throughout the race.

One of her favorite parts of the experience was the team itself: “All the laughs and bonding you experienced shared with the team. The hype and motivation from each person was unmatched.”

Her advice for anyone at the Y who thinks HYROX is too intimidating?

“Everyone is more capable than what they think. Your body has such a capacity to adapt to trainings and pressure when done effectively.”

Kera is already looking ahead to a possible mixed doubles competition in Houston, proving that the drive to keep growing doesn’t stop at the finish line!

Kera, we’re proud of you for leading by example, pushing your own limits, and inspiring others to discover what they’re capable of. And we have a feeling those burpees won't be your last! 💪🏻

10/14/2026

💪🏻 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: LEAH | HYROX BOSTON 2026 🇺🇸

What starts as a few friends forming a team can turn into an unforgettable challenge! ❤️

For Leah, competing in HYROX started with friends at the Y who wanted to take on the challenge together. With encouragement from Kera, she prepared by balancing lifting days, HYROX-specific workouts, and cardio.

Leah competed in the 50-meter sled pull and 100 wall balls, pushing through the challenges of navigating the course and maintaining endurance. But once the team found its rhythm, everything clicked!

“Once we were rolling we were unstoppable.” 🔥

One of Leah’s favorite moments came during the final wall balls, when teammates could join her at the station to finish together.

“Once the girls came out and I could hear them cheering for me I was able to surpass both the athletes next to me and get that finish.”
That’s what teamwork is all about! 🙌🏻

Leah is proud that everyone on the team showed up and performed, with team members placing in the top 10 overall in the relay. And that finishing patch? Totally worth it!

Her biggest takeaway from HYROX?

“Mental game is huge. Teammates are everything.”

For anyone at the Y who thinks HYROX sounds intimidating, Leah knows it takes commitment. Her advice is to sign up for classes, use the equipment available at the Y, lift the weights, and push the sled!
And after her second HYROX, she’s officially hooked.

When asked if she’ll compete again, her answer was simple: “Of course I’m doing another one.” 💪🏻

Leah, we’re so proud of you and this incredible team! Thank you for showing us the power of commitment, mental toughness, and having people in your corner cheering you on all the way to the finish line. ❤️

10/13/2026

💪🏻 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: JENNIFER | HYROX BOSTON 2026 🇺🇸

Sometimes, all it takes is someone who believes in you enough to give you that first push. ❤️

For Jennifer, HYROX wasn’t even on her radar until Kera approached her and asked if she would be the fourth member of their relay team. As Jennifer put it, “She encouraged me to compete with them and I think she knew I just needed someone to give me that push.”

And we are so glad she did! 👏🏻

After training with Kera twice a week and putting in additional cardio workouts on her own, Jennifer traveled to Boston to take on a challenge she never imagined herself doing. Competing in the Women’s Relay, she tackled the 1,000-meter row and 1,000-meter ski — both after already pushing through the demands of the runs.

“The most challenging part was pushing through the 1,000-meter row and 1,000-meter ski after already feeling completely exhausted from the runs,” Jennifer shared. “It took a lot of mental toughness to keep going when my body was tired, but I focused on taking it one stroke at a time and reminding myself why I started.”

🔥 But one of her biggest moments came much earlier in the race.

After finishing her first run and event and tagging Chelsea in for her turn, Jennifer realized something powerful: she had already accomplished something she never thought she could do.

“That gave me the confidence to believe I could tackle the next run and event, too.”

For Jennifer, the biggest accomplishment wasn't a time on the leaderboard. It was crossing that finish line knowing she had done something she wasn't even sure she could do.

“Completing HYROX. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to do it, but I didn’t want to let the girls down and I made them and myself proud.”

Her experience is a reminder that strength isn't just about what we can lift or how fast we can run. It's about showing up when things get hard, trusting the work you've put in, and discovering that you're capable of more than you imagined.

Jennifer credits her training at the El Dorado Y with helping her build the strength, endurance, and mental toughness she needed to compete. And when asked what she'd tell someone who thinks HYROX sounds too intimidating, her message was simple:

“Don’t underestimate yourself before you even give yourself a chance. You might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of!”

Jennifer is already looking forward to another HYROX, with goals to build her endurance, get stronger, and keep pushing her limits. 💪🏻

Jennifer, we are so proud of you! Thank you for stepping outside your comfort zone, trusting your teammates, and showing our Y community that you don't have to feel ready for something to take the first step.

Sometimes, you just need someone to ask, “What if you tried?” — and the courage to say yes. ❤️

10/12/2026

💪🏻 ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: CHELSEA | HYROX BOSTON 2026 🇺🇸

From watching HYROX videos and thinking “Maybe one day…” to competing on the international stage and finishing 1st out of 78 teams in her event, Chelsea’s journey is proof that the work you put in behind the scenes really does pay off! 🔥

Competing in the Women’s Relay, Chelsea tackled the sled push and 200-meter farmer’s carry. Her standout moment? Completing the entire farmer’s carry without setting the weights down in just 1:19 — the fastest time among all 78 teams! 🏆

“Upper-body strength has always been an area I’ve had to work harder at,” Chelsea shared. “To exceed that goal and finish first was incredibly rewarding.”

The sled push brought its own challenges, but Chelsea powered through the entire event without stopping for a break, finishing 12th in that station.

Her HYROX journey began last year with Daniel McCoy and Suzie Locke as they trained for the YMCA’s own version of the competition, Y-Rox. Back then, Chelsea remembers watching HYROX videos and thinking, “Maybe one day…” Now, she’s gone from watching those videos to competing on the international stage!

The Y-Rox classes led by Dakota and Kera helped build the endurance she needed to compete, and Chelsea is grateful for the training environment at the El Dorado Y that helped prepare local athletes for this challenge.

“Training for HYROX reminded me that those areas do not have to define us,” she said. “With consistency, the right environment, and a willingness to be uncomfortable, we can make meaningful progress.”

But the experience was about more than competition. Traveling and competing alongside like-minded people from a small town created friendships and memories just as meaningful as the race itself. Chelsea even described the trip as “like having a slumber party with your fitness friends!”

And for anyone at the Y who thinks HYROX sounds too intimidating? Chelsea has this advice:

“You don’t have to be the strongest or fastest person in the room to start. You just have to be willing to show up, learn, and improve at your own pace.

That’s one of the things I appreciate about the El Dorado Y and its training classes. They create an environment where people can challenge themselves, build confidence, and discover what they’re capable of. You might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish when you take that first step!”

Chelsea is already looking ahead to 2027, with plans to compete in both Doubles and Relay and hopes of earning a top-10 finish or even a podium placement!

For now, she’s looking forward to some well-deserved rest and family time with the people who helped make this experience possible.

Chelsea, we are so proud of you! Thank you for representing the El Dorado Y and showing us that sometimes the biggest accomplishments come from the things we once thought we could only do “one day.” 👏🏻

10/10/2026

🇺🇸💪🏻 SMALL TOWN. BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT.

Help us congratulate our very own Kera, Chelsea, Jennifer, and Leah on completing the HYROX competition in Boston! 🎉

Competing in the Women’s Relay Division, our team crossed the finish line with an incredible time of 1 hour and 23 minutes!

They joined 78 teams representing 13 different countries on the world’s largest fitness racing stage.

These four women are personal trainer Kera, working moms, and everyday gym goers who proved that you don’t have to come from a big city to accomplish BIG things. Representing our small-town YMCA on an international stage is an achievement worth celebrating! ❤️

We are so proud of the hard work, dedication, and determination it took to get to this moment. This is what showing up, pushing your limits, and believing in what you’re capable of looks like!

👏 Help us celebrate Kera, Chelsea, Jennifer, and Leah in the comments!

Stay tuned!

We’ll be sharing individual spotlights featuring each athlete’s experience, the challenges they faced, and what this incredible accomplishment meant to them. You won’t want to miss their stories! 💪🏻

10/09/2026

🎉 You Bring the Birthday Kid. We’ll Handle the Rest! 🎈

Birthday parties should be FUN for everyone — including the grown-ups! 🥳 That’s why we offer Worry-Free Birthday Parties at the YMCA!

Skip the stress of planning, shopping, decorating, setting up, and cleaning up. We take care of the details so you can focus on celebrating your favorite birthday kid! 💙

🎂 Here’s what’s included:
🎈 Themed party options to make their day extra special
🎁 Treat bags, balloons, cake, and drinks
🪑 A private party space with tables and chairs
🎉 All the setup and party essentials taken care of
🙋‍♀️ A dedicated party hostess for your entire event
🏊‍♀️ Fun activity options, including swimming, gymnastics, and more!

Whether your child wants to make a splash, flip into fun, or celebrate with a theme they love, we’ll help make it happen!

Less planning for you. More fun for them. Memories for everyone. ❤️

📩 Ready to plan a birthday they’ll be talking about long after the candles are blown out? Contact the El Dorado YMCA to explore our party options and let us help make their big day a breeze!

10/08/2026

10.13.2026

10/07/2026

What do you do when you feel so good about something, you just can't hold it in any longer?

Write a poem.

At least that's what Jan from the Hutchinson YMCA did recently to celebrate the special relationship she's built with her trainer, Mindy Gloria.

Her words are fun, witty, relatable and reflective of how connections are at the heart of the YMCA:

I didn't want to exercise at the Y.
I'd rather stay home and eat pie, read books, paint, and pet cats!
But to improve balance and health, I had to face facts!
Mindy, my trainer, with lots of smiles
put Gary, Lori, and me through tricks from her files!
Mindy knows exercises for every body part.
Encouraging and challenging, she soon won my heart!
Week by week we carried weights through the halls.
"Superman" and "birddog" and throwing balls.
We moaned, laughed, bonded and sweat.
When we left class we were proud...and wet!
You know a thousand ways to exercise, You made our strength and balance rise!
Thank you, Mindy, you're an amazing athlete!
As trainer (and MOM) you can't be beat.

10/03/2026

🏈 THINGS ARE GETTING A LITTLE PERSONAL AROUND HERE! 😂

It's Chiefs vs. Raiders this Sunday at 3:30, and Trainer Kera and Reggie have decided to make things interesting!

Kera is backing the Chiefs ❤️💛, while Reggie is proudly representing the Raiders 🏴‍☠️.

The wager? Winner gets bragging rights… and the loser has to pay up!

💪 If the Chiefs win: Reggie is getting a 30-minute training session with Kera. (Good luck, Reggie! 😂)
🏴‍☠️ If the Chiefs lose: Kera will have to rock some Raiders gear!

We have to know… whose side are you on?!

Drop a ❤️💛 for the Chiefs or 🏴‍☠️ for the Raiders in the comments!

May the best team win… but we're really hoping Kera doesn't have to change her wardrobe!

10/02/2026

🎃💪 READY TO RACE, WICHITA YMCA?! 💪🎃

It's time to challenge yourself, bring your people together and show us what community strength looks like! The YROX Fitness Race is coming, and we want to see every branch represented!

Whether you're ready to push your limits, try something new or cheer on your friends from the sidelines, there's a place for YOU!

RACE DETAILS
When: Saturday, October 31
Where: Farha Sports Center – South Turf Fields
Elite Division (NEW this year!): $75/person
Community Division: $50/person

FIND YOUR TEAM. FIND YOUR PACE.
Sign up with a partner or gather a team of 3 or 4! And don't worry about being a seasoned athlete. Your team gets to determine the intensity that's right for you!

✔️ Beginner, intermediate and advanced modifications available.
✔️ Divide the workload and take turns completing reps or distances throughout each race segment.
✔️ Exercise modification videos are available at bit.ly/YROXmods so you can see exactly how to make each movement work for your team.

👻 AND BECAUSE IT'S HALLOWEEN... COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED! Come dressed to impress, ready to compete and prepared to have some fun!

READY TO JOIN THE RACE?
Register in person at any YMCA branch or online at ymcawichita.org/yrox by October 24!

Gather your friends, rally your coworkers, represent your branch and get ready for a day of fitness, friendly competition and community connection.

One race. One community. Countless ways to show your strength. Let's YROX! 🔥

10/02/2026

What a great way to end the week: Our YMCA family is getting bigger!

Please join us in giving a great, big welcome to our newest Greater Wichita YMCA branch, the YMCA of Topeka.

Our reach is expanding and so is our ability to increase the health and wellness of more Kansans. We have so many reasons to celebrate!

Read the full announcement here: ymcawichita.org/news/ymca-topeka-joins-greater-wichita-ymca

Big announcement today ...

The YMCA of Topeka is now officially part of the Greater Wichita YMCA!

Mark Ault, Chair of the YMCA of Topeka Board of Directors, put into words what we all feel: "The momentum we’re gaining from the Greater Wichita YMCA solidifies our ability to impact more lives in the Topeka community for years to come. We look forward to this next step forward.”

Read the full announcement: ymcawichita.org/news/ymca-topeka-joins-greater-wichita-ymca

10/01/2026

🎃👻 October is bringing the tricks AND the treats with YMCA 360’s monthly fitness challenge: HAUNTED HIIT! 👻

Forget the ghosts of workouts past…it’s time to sweat, move, and give your fitness routine a little Halloween spirit!

Each month, YMCA 360 brings you a brand-new challenge to keep things fresh, help you stay accountable, and make fitness fun. Whether you’re looking to switch up your routine, build consistency, or just need a little extra motivation, this is your chance to get in on the action!

🕸️ Ready to get SPOOKY with your sweat session?
🎃 Find Haunted HIIT in the YMCA 360 app.
👻 Join online at https://ymca360.org/challenges/2706-haunted-hit.

Not a Y member? Access to YMCA 360 and monthly fitness challenges is just one of the many perks waiting for you when you join!

Don’t ghost your fitness goals this October. Let’s get hauntingly fit! 🧡💪

09/30/2026

💙 Self Improvement Month: Small Choices, Big Changes

Our Self Improvement Month series continues with Mike, 78, who is showing us that it’s never too late to make a change and feel better.

Since the beginning of the year, Mike has lost 25 pounds and reached his goal weight by making healthier choices and creating a routine that works for him.

One of his biggest commitments? Spending an hour at the Y every day doing something active.

And that commitment to movement started to influence other areas of his life, too. Mike says he began paying more attention to what he was eating and made the choice to stop going through drive-thrus and make healthier choices instead.

The result? He says it’s been a great improvement and he feels so much better. ❤️

Mike’s story is such a great reminder that self improvement doesn’t have to happen all at once. Sometimes, one healthy choice leads to another, and those choices become habits that can make a real difference.

What healthy choice are YOU making for yourself this month? 👇

Keep following along as more of our Y members share what self improvement looks like for them!

09/23/2026

You'll want the sound on for this video featuring ESPN Wichita 92.3's Pat Strathman and the Y's Catherine Seals.

The topic was YMCA youth sports and how any adult can explore volunteer sports coaching opportunities at our branches.

FACT: Volunteer coaches don’t need to be professional coaches or former athletes to make a difference. The YMCA provides training, so no experience is necessary.

ANOTHER FACT: Volunteering can fit different schedules and interests. There are opportunities for people who want to coach, assist a coach or simply lend a hand.

We’re currently looking for coaches for the Fall II sports season (all applicants go through a thorough screening process).

Contact the sports director at any one of our 12 branches to get involved so every child has a team to play on.

09/15/2026

Everything we do at the YMCA is centered around improving lives. Our nonprofit mission is as big as it gets, and it’s something we can’t do alone.

Our sincere appreciation goes out to HCA Healthcare, parent company of Wesley Healthcare, for its generous support of our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program that helps cancer survivors take back their strength, independence and hope for the future.

Yesterday, Bill Voloch, President & CEO of Wesley Healthcare, and Dave Stewart, Director of Communications & Community Engagement at Wesley Healthcare, presented the YMCA with a $25,000 check that will make it possible for nearly 100 individuals to attend 12 weeks of future LIVESTRONG at the YMCA sessions at area YMCA branches. Donations like this allow us to continue offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA free of charge to anyone, at any point in their cancer journey.

A gift like this will impact so many lives, and we’re incredibly grateful to partner with HCA Healthcare and Wesley Healthcare to strengthen our community.

Thank you!

(pictured left to right) Ronn McMahon, President & CEO of the Greater Wichita YMCA, Dave Stewart, Director of Communications & Community Engagement at Wesley Healthcare, Shamain Bachman, Vice President of Marketing at the YMCA, and Bill Voloch, President & CEO of Wesley Healthcare.

09/11/2026

9/11 is one of those rare moment's in our nation’s history where you remember exactly where you were when the news broke. The images permanently etched into our collective memories.

Today, on its 25th anniversary, we pause to remember the 2,977 people we lost. They will never be forgotten.

Year after year, we are honored our YMCA branches have been gathering places for individuals throughout our community to take part in the 9/11 memorial stair climb tradition.

110 floors, 2,200 steps, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers.

Each climb honors the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives while helping others on September 11, 2001.

Coming together, we honor their sacrifice and carry their memory forward.

09/04/2026

The YROX Fitness Race is intense – not impossible.

Advance preparation makes the difference, and that's where YMCA trainers come in.

Starting next week, 35 trainers at 11 YMCA branches will kick off YROX Group Training sessions. To get involved, you must sign up in person at any YMCA location by Monday, September 14.

ABOUT TRAINING: Attend early morning/daytime/evening sessions twice a week for 8 weeks with any trainer at any location.

⇾ You've not locked into one time or place.
⇾ Training is on your terms.

AND THEN THERE'S THE BENEFITS:
⇾ Learn beginner, intermediate and advanced modifications for each of the race's 8 functional fitness stations.
⇾ Be mentally and physically ready for race day on 10/31.
⇾ Become a ROX star in your own right

The only thing left to do is add your name to our training rosters. You got this!

Learn more at ymcawichita.org/yrox.

09/03/2026

A good night's sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health. This September, challenge yourself to prioritize rest by aiming for 100 hours of sleep throughout the month, or about 8 hours each night.

Track your sleep in the YMCA 360 app by manually adding a workout and selecting “Sleep.”

Need help winding down? Explore YMCA 360's Rest & Restore sleep support playlist, featuring Bedtime Yoga and other relaxation content designed to help you rest easier.

Join through the app or online at https://ymca360.org/challenges/2705-wake-me-up-when-september-ends.

Don't have the YMCA 360 app? Download it today >>>> ymcawichita.org/ymca360.

09/03/2026

Labor Day (Monday, SEPT 7) is the final day of our 2026 water park season. There's a reason people say time flies when you're having fun! The Fall season is up next with YMCA branches ready to keep the excitement going.

HOLIDAY HOURS: YMCA branches will be open on Labor Day, with adjusted hours. Please check the schedule first before heading out ➡ ymcawichita.org/laborday2026

09/02/2026

Our members have spoken ... the best part about the YMCA is the people!

Tell us: What keeps you coming back to your YMCA branch? Let's fill the comments with Y ❤