Central Okanagan

The program was created to reward and encourage more individuals to exercise as a proactive health measure. The focus is to encourage primary care physicians and other health care providers to include physical activity when designing treatment plans for patients and referring their patients to EIMC credentialled professionals.

Step 1: See a doctor and ask for a prescription for exercise: Let the doctor know which YMCA location you prefer

Step 2: You will be called: The doctor will send your prescription to a Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology certified exercise physiologist staff to arrange your first appointment.

Step 3: Try it for free!: The first appointment includes an orientation to the facility, brief health and exercise readiness assessments, and helping you get signed up for YMCA membership (including applying for financial assistance if applicable), or if you’re not quite sure, “Try the Y” for one week free!

Step 4: Free Health Coaching included in Membership: Meet with the YMCA Health Coach to begin the clinically-proven exercise adherence program: includes 6 one-on-one sessions with a certified Fitness Trainer who has received additional training as a Health Coach to help you address the barriers that prevented you from sticking with exercise in the past.

Coach Approach is an evidence-based behaviour change counselling program that anyone who doesn’t exercise regularly receives for free with their YMCA membership.

Step 5: Achieve your goals: Follow the guidelines the Health Coach has provided. Working through a step-by-step process has proven to build the ability to adhere to exercise long-term – no more starting and stopping!

Step 6: Enjoy life!!!: Receive ongoing support and program updates from your Health Coach for as long as you remain a member of the YMCA – Health Coaching services are included in the membership as part of a charitable mission to improve the health of every individual.

In addition: as a patient referred through the Exercise is Medicine® program, your doctor receives a report from our CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist after the initial assessment. For these patients, additional health assessments will be done at 3 months and 6 months, which are also reported back to your doctor.

Note: Tax Benefit: when your doctor completes the exercise prescription, your YMCA membership fees are considered a medical expense. Ask your tax specialist for more information.