Wouldn’t it be great to have a place to go where you can spend time with like-minded people all working towards a goal of keeping fit and active?

● A place that offers enough options for exercise that you can either focus on one discipline that is best suited to your needs and abilities or experience a variety of activities in order to get the most comprehensive workout?

● A place where you can form friendships, if you like, or focus inward, on refreshing the mind, body and spirit?

The East Area Family YMCA, now officially known as the “Y,” is that place.

With activities for all ages and abilities, the bustling building located in Fayetteville seems to always be filled with laughter, friendly staff and, of course, group exercise classes.

In the lobby you will find people sitting around tables, talking, working on homework, reading the paper or filling out applications for membership. The lobby desk is where members check in, “oops” cards are handed out to members who forgot their own ticket into the Y, and membership applications and other member-related services are addressed. The administrative offices are located behind the front desk, and that is where you’ll find Nadine Zesky, former Manlius Police officer and current senior coordinator at the Y.

Zesky, who is in her early 40s, retired as a family service investigator on the force two years ago and found she missed interacting with the community. In her position with the Manlius Police, she worked with families, kids and also investigated crimes against seniors.

“I found that I needed to be busy, and I missed helping people, so when this position came up, I thought it was perfect,” Zesky said.

Turns out, she was right.

“It is so rewarding,” she said. “The best part is meeting all the seniors. Some of them have amazing life stories.”

Since starting in the position in September, Zesky has seen first hand the benefits of the many classes offered at the Y.

“The classes are packed,” she said. “The seniors really enjoy the classes we offer here – and the improvements in their health, the friendships they make, it’s great to see.”

In agreement with Zesky is Erin Coelho, total health aquatic fitness coordinator at the Y.

“The students are building a community of friendships while moving and having a good time,” Coelho said. Water aerobics, offered several times during the week, is particularly popular among older adults.

“It’s a great way to exercise that is easier on the joints,” Coelho said. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a demanding discipline.

“When you are in the water, there are 360 degrees of resistance. Any way you move, you are getting resistance training.” The time spent in the water is also supplemented with strength training using weights.

“As women get older, it is important that they also do weight bearing activities,” Coelho said. She added that there are many benefits to the combination of water exercise and weight training, and she has witnessed great improvement in participants in the program.

“They have better balance, are feeling better and move more,” she said. “They also have better mobility in their joints and are finding, in some cases, they can lower their medication [doses].”

These benefits then affect other areas of the members’ lives. “They find, when they go on vacation, they can walk around and see the sights. One woman couldn’t walk up the stairs to get to the fitness area and had to use the elevator, but as she continued to go to class, she then was able to climb those stairs. It’s inspiring, really.”

Other popular classes include Silver Sneakers and Zumba Gold.

“The students love them,” Zesky said. “It’s fun.”

One group of women who participate in classes each week agreed.

“I take two classes every day,” Lee Potter, 75, of DeWitt, said. “Including Morning Movers, Zumba Gold, stability ball class, Silver Sneakers and pilates. I’ve been doing it for almost three years at the Y, which has such a wide variety of opportunities and special events as well.”

“It keeps me going so I can travel and hike,” she said.

Sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee with Potter in the Y lobby were Agnes Murnane, Mary Lou Pritchett and Alice Randal, who said there is usually a group of varying people who get together after class to enjoy some of the brew along with lively conversation.

“There’s a whole group of yoga people at 7:30 a.m. who get together,” she said. “The people who get together vary, and sometimes it is just women, but a lot of times there are men, too.” Randal does laps three times a week and participates in Zumba Gold classes.

“I think my husband likes it as much for the coffee as for the class,” Pritchett said, adding she felt Zumba Gold was a really popular class. “People just love it.”

Zesky said that is the purpose of the programs.

“The goal is to balance physical and social interaction in order to enhance the participants’ lives,” she said. “It is very rewarding to see such success.”