MONEY

Downtown Y adds center for advanced athlete training

Patt Johnson
pjohnson@dmreg.com

Serious athletes with an eye on improving their performance can get individualized attention at the new Athlete Performance Center at the Wellmark YMCA in downtown Des Moines.

Certified professional coaches design sport-specific training programs for each athlete to help them reach their goals, the YMCA said.

The program is aimed at middle- and high school athletes looking to compete for Division I athletic scholarships to amateur athletes of all ages who want to become more competitive.

"It's everyone from college-aged kids to a 37-year-old triathlete," said Brock Leggins, the center's director. The program focuses on competitive and recreational sports, he said.

Curved treadmills are offered at the Athlete Performance Center at the YMCA on Grand Avenue in Des Moines.

Athletes in the program have access to:

  • High-performance treadmill with speeds up to 25 mph
  • Curved, self-propelled treadmill
  • A cold tub cryotherapy system
  • Private squat rack
  • Stretching and myofascial release tools
  • Normatec recovery boots
  • Indoor bike trainers

Athletes also have access to other YMCA equipment, including the 200-meter indoor track and weight room.

The fees range from $55 for a basic single session to $880 for 20 sessions, with the rate reduced for groups of two or three. Access to the specialized equipment is an additional $50.

The Athlete Performance Center at the YMCA in Des Moines features a cycling training room, where cyclists can ride with groups on trainers during the cold months.

Call 515-471-8546, visit dmymca.com or find it on Facebook.