4 Generations of the Boynton Beach Family Making Fitness a Tradition – Sun Sentinel

Laura Holmstead and her family have a passion for fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As longtime members of the Devos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach, it has become a lifestyle.

As the YMCA of South Palm Beach County celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Generations family has continued the tradition of heading to the Y.

Laura’s mother, Sarah Lynch, participates in several training classes each week. Laura’s daughter, Tiffany Peterson, works out with a personal trainer and enjoys working out in the gym. Tiffany’s daughter, Aubrey, attends childcare at the facility, and her husband, Jake, exercises there. Laura’s husband Jan is active and spends at least three hours each day at the YMCA while their daughter Trina is also a member.

“What I think is great is our whole family working every day,” Laura said. “We’ve been instilled in us to eat healthy and exercise, and that’s part of our lives. I can’t even imagine not doing that. I think it’s a really great thing for us, especially since we all get so much exercise together.”

Laura and Jean have been members of the Boynton Beach YMCA for nearly 15 years. Laura participates in Zumba, pound, weightlifting, and several classes as she heads to the gym every day of the week. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura has also shown her dedication by participating in lessons from her home through Zoom with YMCA coaches.

“I love it and enjoy coming here and have made many friends,” Laura said. “We are really close to the coaches and the people we take lessons with here and everyone is so friendly. I feel like it’s a big family and I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. Y brings family and friends together. They do a lot throughout the year for adults and kids with events. We meet coaches and socialize It’s a big part of my life, and it’s special.”

Tiffany got her start at the YMCA in Boynton Beach as a cheerleader on Saturday mornings while in high school. I also participated in Zumba classes with friends during college. After becoming a mother later, she realized she could exercise in the gym while her daughter attended the facility’s child care program.

“I was walking and the kids in the babysitting looked like they were having fun,” Tiffany said. We were excited for our daughter. She knows everyone’s name there. She plays and loves it. They are the same staff all the time and get to know the kids. They invest a lot of time in kids, which is amazing. I’m with a personal trainer for three days and do my cardio and aerobics the other days. I get to exercise with my dad a lot. It’s my morning routine and I get an hour to myself. It’s a nice break as a mom.”

Laura, Sara, Tiffany, and Trina initially started taking spin classes together when they first joined as members. They have managed to form a bond with the coaches and staff.

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“It has always been a very happy, positive and family oriented environment,” Tiffany said. “The teachers have been here for a long time. We get to know each other outside the YMCA and become friends.”

Sarah participates in several different classes and enjoys the bike, weights and Pilates chair.

“I’ve made a lot of friends in the classes I attend,” Sarah said. “It feels like family. I love it and I will never stop. At my age, I can do so much more than most people and all because of the exercises.”

YMCA DeVos-Blum Family Executive Director Barry Davis said they have been holding 50 events over 50 years as part of the anniversary theme. They will also have an upcoming nine-week summer camp with over 200 kids participating.

The YMCA of Boynton Beach held its annual Healthy Kids Day last month. The free event, open to all ages, attracted over 2,000 people and included rock climbing walls, a petting zoo, garden games, biking and color running.

“The YMCA is about mind, soul, and body,” Davis said. “It was a day to celebrate our community, our families and our children. It is a very special event here in Boynton.”

He said the staff enjoy interacting with the members every day, including the time she spends with Laura and her family.

“There is nothing more special than seeing the history here, which is amazing,” Davis said. “It’s more than just going to the gym. It’s about the community and the interaction that happens outside this room that makes it special.”

Laura said she is excited to have the opportunity to continue the tradition and legacy as a member of the Boynton Beach YMCA.

“My granddaughter is watching me do Zumba and she can hear music and she wants to dance,” she said. “I hope we can instill her in exercise so it’s part of her life. I can’t wait to train with my granddaughter here one day.”

According to Y, the South Palm Beach County YMCA began as a single branch in 1972. It operates programs and services within the Southern Palm Beach County area and includes The Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton, 6631 Palmetto Circle S, and The DeVos-Blum Family YMCA of Boynton Beach, 9600 S. Military Trail.

Y allows all members of the community to participate in membership programs regardless of their ability to pay fees, and they provide scholarship assistance each year through annual contributions.

Visit ymcaspbc.org.