A woman looks at her Move for Good Challenge on her YMCA MN App for Apple Watch

First Apple Watch Connected Y helps members transform their fitness experience with Apple Watch while supporting youth programs through Move for Good

Minneapolis, MN - The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, is offering a unique community digital health program with Apple Watch designed to help its members reach their health and well-being goals while giving back to the community by providing kids access to YMCA programs and services. 

This revolutionary digital health program allows YMCA of the North’ members to enhance their well-being journeys through real-time tracking and community engagement at their Y or wherever they are active via their Apple Watch. With the YMCA MN Apple Watch app built by the YMCA of the North and three other Ys, Y members can check-in, find classes, track exercise, participate in challenges and more by a tap at their wrist. They also can use their Apple Watch to connect to the Y’s Apple GymKit-enabled cardio fitness equipment to provide the most seamless and accurate fitness tracking experience. 

“We recognize many of our members are using Apple Watch in the Y and we are thrilled to offer our members this new cutting-edge digital health experience as well as the opportunity to join our ‘Move for Good’ health challenges,” said Nathan Maehren, senior vice president of digital at the YMCA of the North. “Members who participate in ‘Move for Good’ during monthly challenges with their Apple Watch not only benefit their health but also help send kids to life-changing programs at the Y like swimming lessons, camp, sports and the Y’s signature Youth in Government program.” 

Other YMCAs across the country that have GymKit-enabled cardio fitness equipment will also be able to offer this program to their members. As the program rolls out, Y members will be able to use Apple Pay to purchase personal training, swimming lessons, youth programs and more.

“We’re excited by this innovative program which supports our vision for improving the health and well-being of our members, our communities and our nation,” said Kevin Washington, president, and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “The Y is constantly looking for new and unique ways to help members achieve their goals and strengthen their communities, and we see tremendous potential for this program as YMCAs across the country begin to roll it out over the next several years.”

As one of the first Apple Watch Connected facilities in the United States, the St. Paul Midway YMCA invites all current and new members to experience the transformational social giving element based on their health activity. The Y’s Apple Watch Connected St. Paul Midway location includes: 

  • Move for Good community digital health challenges
  • YMCA MN Apple Watch app
  • Apple GymKit-enabled cardio equipment 
  • Apple Pay 

The benefits of the YMCA MN Apple Watch app and “Move for Good” are available now in all 26 YMCA of the North fitness locations. The Y will be offering more Apple Watch Connected sites later this year.

For more information and to download the YMCA MN Apple Watch app, click here.