The South Shore YMCA Quincy Branch recently added an Equalizer machine and a Dip/Rickshaw Selectable to its equipment roster, expanding the facility’s options for those participating in its Partnership Program. The new weight training equipment was designed with the wheelchair user in mind.
The South Shore YMCA’s Partnership Program is a recreational, non-clinical program designed specifically for people with physical disabilities to more fully enjoy all that the Y has to offer. Specialized, adaptive exercise equipment and one-to-one exercise assistance is available, and is a free service to all South Shore YMCA members.
“The possibility of aiding our members in need to more fully integrate into our community fitness setting, instead of limiting them to a medical or physical therapy room, is why we offer machines like the new Equalizer here among the rest of our traditional workout equipment at the Y,” said Kim Driscoll, Director of Health & Well-being, South Shore YMCA Quincy Branch. “We aim to provide opportunities for everyone to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, and this specialized equipment is meant to reduce barriers for individuals living with physical challenges, disabilities, or issues related to balance and/or stamina.”
With over 100 people in the Y’s Partnership Program – a mainstay since 1990 in the area – the equipment is an exciting expansion, helping the program’s participants to enhance their workouts and gain/re-gain strength and health via its use.
“We are proud to partner with companies like the South Shore YMCA to bring our equipment to as many communities as possible,” said James Dibben, Equalizer Representative. “The Equalizer and Dip Rickshaw machines remove barriers and/or obstacles that wheelchair users face with traditional exercise equipment. As one of the only organizations in the region to offer these customized machines, we’re excited to see their benefits be realized on the South Shore at the YMCA.”
A multi-station piece, the wheelchair-accessible Equalizer machine allows for 7 different exercises to be completed and will be able to accommodate multiple users at one time. The Dip Rickshaw targets and strengthens various muscles in order strengthen users, and to make movements like wheelchair transfers, propulsions, and lifts easier on the patient.
“These machines promote independence for our members who utilize a wheelchair or may have a physical impairment or other disability,” said Sheryl Rosa, Partnership Program Coordinator, South Shore YMCA. “We’re thrilled to be enhancing the equipment we have to offer for our Partnership Program participants – you just don’t see this in most gyms or facilities. Our Partnership Program participants like to stay and socialize just like anyone else at the gym. They like to hang out in the area and be a part of the community, and the Equalizer and Dip Rickshaw, coupled with our new space configuration, will allow them to do just that more easily than ever before.”
Please visit www.ssymca.org to learn more about the Partnership Program. To learn more about the new Equalizer equipment, please reach out to Kim Driscoll, Director of Health & Well-being, SSYMCA Quincy Branch, at 617-479-8500 ext. 4761 or kdriscoll@ssymca.org.
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About the South Shore YMCA
The South Shore YMCA is a not-for-profit association of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life for all through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.
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