For Jess Marcellus, the Greater Burlington YMCA is more than a place to work out—it’s a place where family, fitness, and child care come together.
Jess and her husband have been YMCA members for more than six years. Living just a short walk from the Y makes it easy to visit, although “easy” looks a little different when you’re arriving with three young children, a stroller, and a collection of scooters, balance bikes, and helmets. Now expecting her fourth child, Jess says the Y has become an essential part of her family’s weekly routine.
“As a stay-at-home mom, I’m so grateful to have access to Member Child Care so I can continue to prioritize my own health and fitness while setting an example for my children,” she said.
Finding time to exercise isn’t always simple with little ones at home, but having a dedicated space to focus on herself has made all the difference.
“The Y has become some of the only ‘me-time’ I’m able to squeeze in these days,” Jess said. “As someone who has a hard time prioritizing working out at home—especially with kids underfoot—carving out time to actually step foot into a dedicated workout space has been vital for maintaining a regular fitness routine.”
While fitness is important to Jess, she says the Y has become a family destination as well. Over the years, they’ve taken advantage of family gym, family swim, swim lessons, and Member Child Care, making the Y a place where everyone can stay active together.
Jess credits regular exercise with improving both her physical and mental well-being.
“When I make time to work out, I feel more physically fit and capable, my mood and energy levels are better, I’m more inclined to make healthy food choices, and I have more patience and energy for my kids and family,” she said.
Staying active has also been especially meaningful during pregnancy.
“Being able to maintain my fitness during pregnancy has been vital in having relatively easy and healthy labor and deliveries.”
Looking back on the past six years, Jess says the Y has grown alongside her family, supporting her through pregnancy, motherhood, and the daily challenge of balancing everyone’s needs, including her own. “It’s crazy to think I had only one child when I first joined—and I was using the old Y building,” she said.
For Jess, making time for fitness isn’t just about staying healthy today. It’s about caring for herself so she can continue showing up for the people who matter most, while demonstrating to her children that prioritizing health and well-being is something worth making time for.