Three YMCA and JCC Programs Honored with 2025 Community Impact Awards
ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS, U.S., [July 16, 2025] — Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Community Impact Awards, recognizing three outstanding YMCA and JCC partners for their innovative, community-first approaches to fitness, health and wellness.
Now in its third year, the Community Impact Awards were created to spotlight meaningful wellness initiatives that go beyond the gym floor to strengthen entire communities. This year marked a milestone as the program expanded to include Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) alongside YMCAs, highlighting a broader commitment to inclusive, mission-driven health programming nationwide.
More than 60 submissions were received from associations across the country. A selection committee—including members of the Life Fitness YMCA Advisory Board—reviewed each entry and identified the top 10 finalists. Voting was then opened to the public, giving peers, members, and supporters a chance to rally behind the initiatives they found most impactful.
The 2025 Community Impact Award winners are:
“Congratulations to this year’s Community Impact Award winners—it’s incredible to see the creativity, compassion and commitment each program brings to its community. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is honored to support these awards as part of our purpose to empower the world to work out, creating healthier lives together,” said Forrest Cory, National Segment & Strategic Account Manager, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength. “We hope all YMCAs and JCCs will take a moment to explore each of the 10 finalist programs. They’re full of innovative ideas that can be adapted to fit local needs and spark new initiatives. That’s what this award is all about—sharing what works and inspiring more impact across communities.”
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength supports the Community Impact Awards as part of its mission to promote inclusive, community-centered wellness. While the company is known for its industry-leading strength and cardio equipment, it also recognizes that fitness is just one piece of the wellness puzzle. These awards reflect Life Fitness / Hammer Strength’s belief that strong communities—and the organizations that serve them—deserve to be celebrated and supported.
Please review the full list of finalists and details about each initiative on the Life Fitness / Hammer Strength website.
Media Contact:
Rekha S Rao
Senior Manager, Internal & External Communications
rekha.rao@lifefitness.com
312-281-3665
About
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength has been inspiring the world to work out for more than 55 years. Every day, exercisers in more than 150 countries log in 1+ million workouts on the company’s connected fitness equipment – proving daily that Life Fitness/Hammer Strength is the world’s workout partner of choice. By seamlessly bringing innovative, high-performance and reliable equipment and digital solutions to exercisers, wherever and whenever they work out, Life Fitness/Hammer Strength aims to inspire healthier lives. Headquartered outside of Chicago, in Rosemont, Illinois, the company manufactures and sells strength and cardiovascular equipment through its iconic Life Fitness and Hammer Strength brands. By integrating the best of both brands, the company provides comprehensive workout solutions for commercial and consumer customers. For more information, visit www.LifeFitness.com.
Now in its third year, the Community Impact Awards were created to spotlight meaningful wellness initiatives that go beyond the gym floor to strengthen entire communities. This year marked a milestone as the program expanded to include Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) alongside YMCAs, highlighting a broader commitment to inclusive, mission-driven health programming nationwide.
More than 60 submissions were received from associations across the country. A selection committee—including members of the Life Fitness YMCA Advisory Board—reviewed each entry and identified the top 10 finalists. Voting was then opened to the public, giving peers, members, and supporters a chance to rally behind the initiatives they found most impactful.
The 2025 Community Impact Award winners are:
- North Carolina Alliance of YMCAs — Teen Safe Spaces: Through teen-only events and YMCA Leaders Clubs, this initiative gives young people supportive spaces to manage stress and anxiety, helping improve teen mental wellness across the state. The NC Alliance of YMCAs supports the 25 North Carolina YMCA Associations.
- Jewish Community Alliance, Jacksonville, Florida — Sensory Safe Swimming: Designed for children with autism, this program provides one-on-one swim lessons with Red Cross-certified instructors—teaching life-saving water skills while building confidence, emotional regulation, and long-term wellness.
- Greater Providence YMCA, Providence, Rhode Island — Senior Fitness: Health Monitoring Program: This effort brings guided, staffed sessions to weight rooms, helping older adults safely build strength and endurance, while improving their overall quality of life.
“Congratulations to this year’s Community Impact Award winners—it’s incredible to see the creativity, compassion and commitment each program brings to its community. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is honored to support these awards as part of our purpose to empower the world to work out, creating healthier lives together,” said Forrest Cory, National Segment & Strategic Account Manager, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength. “We hope all YMCAs and JCCs will take a moment to explore each of the 10 finalist programs. They’re full of innovative ideas that can be adapted to fit local needs and spark new initiatives. That’s what this award is all about—sharing what works and inspiring more impact across communities.”
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength supports the Community Impact Awards as part of its mission to promote inclusive, community-centered wellness. While the company is known for its industry-leading strength and cardio equipment, it also recognizes that fitness is just one piece of the wellness puzzle. These awards reflect Life Fitness / Hammer Strength’s belief that strong communities—and the organizations that serve them—deserve to be celebrated and supported.
Please review the full list of finalists and details about each initiative on the Life Fitness / Hammer Strength website.
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Media Contact:
Rekha S Rao
Senior Manager, Internal & External Communications
rekha.rao@lifefitness.com
312-281-3665
About
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength has been inspiring the world to work out for more than 55 years. Every day, exercisers in more than 150 countries log in 1+ million workouts on the company’s connected fitness equipment – proving daily that Life Fitness/Hammer Strength is the world’s workout partner of choice. By seamlessly bringing innovative, high-performance and reliable equipment and digital solutions to exercisers, wherever and whenever they work out, Life Fitness/Hammer Strength aims to inspire healthier lives. Headquartered outside of Chicago, in Rosemont, Illinois, the company manufactures and sells strength and cardiovascular equipment through its iconic Life Fitness and Hammer Strength brands. By integrating the best of both brands, the company provides comprehensive workout solutions for commercial and consumer customers. For more information, visit www.LifeFitness.com.