At the Y, kids and teens have lots of ways to get healthy and fit including our P.A.C.E program for ages 7-10, CrossFit Kids for ages 7-12, and Middle School Strength Training for students in grades 6-8. Find your fitness, fun and friends at the Y.
P.A.C.E. (Physical Activity Changes Everything)
Concerned about the health and weight of your child? This program is designed to introduce physical activity, comprehensive nutrition education and provide the necessary tools to help your child and family lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Together we can fight back against childhood obesity.
- Ages: 7–11
- Winter: April 20 - May 13, 2026
- Day/Time: Monday and Wednesday 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
- We will include a 3rd day at our CrossFit Kids program at no extra cost during the duration of the program
- Member: $139
- Program Member: $159
- Non-Member: $179
- Contact: Carrie at (203) 440-1925.
What parents say about the PACE program:
- “The PACE program helped our family become healthier. My son is trying a variety of healthy foods including vegetables and he feels and looks great!”
- “This has been a life changing experience for our family.”
- “Every household needs this program. We can still eat healthy on a small budget. If you get a person healthy you get their body and their mind healthy. There is no looking back. We are staying with it. I am so thankful and appreciative for this program.”
- "I was looking for more physical activity for my son. I have a friend who had the same concern about her daughter. I found the PACE program at the Meriden YMCA and thought it would be better for him to try it with a friend. One of things I really liked was the hands-on cooking session in the Y Kitchen. It was really good to see him trying new things. The instructor worked well with my son and my son is asking when he can go back and do it again."
What kids say about the PACE program:
- “It’s great fun and exciting!”
- “I have water now instead of soda and I cut back on food. I feel good.”
- “I learned running is fun!”
- “I’m eating better food.”
- “I tried new foods, my jeans are loose and my tightest ones fit now.”
- “I liked picking my own exercises…and ZUMBA is fun!”
Contact Carrie at 203-440-1925 or cmarquardt@meridenymca.org.
CrossFit Kids
Whether you are a novice, junior varsity or varsity athlete, CrossFit Kids is a great program for increasing flexibility, endurance, strength while having fun! At the Meriden YMCA's CrossFit Kids program we are forging the future of fitness.
CrossFit Kids workouts consist of constantly varied, functional movements that deliver a fitness that is broad, inclusive and general and scalable for any participant at any level. This means that, for the most part, no two workouts are the same, so kids and teens never get bored and the novelty of each workout keeps them excited about participating.
Middle School Strength Training
Do you have a middle school age child in grades 6 through 8 that you would like to work out in the Fitness Center with you?
Normally you have to be age 13 and older to use the Fitness Center. If your middle school aged child completes this program they may use the Fitness Center Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and any time during hours of operation on Saturday or Sunday with a parent or guardian.
Trained fitness staff will provide instruction with free weights, Cybex strengthening equipment and cardio equipment to ensure proper technique and encourage positive life-long exercise habits.
- Grades: 6, 7, 8
- Location: Meriden YMCA Fitness Center
- Time: Four week program, two times per week.
- Full Member Fee: $40
- Program Member Fee: $60
- Contact Carrie at (203) 440-1925 to set up training schedule.