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Community Impact Award

Vote for your favorite community initiative for the 2026 Life Fitness / Hammer Strength Community Impact Awards now!

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you ARE a valuable partner TO YOUR COMMUNITY

In addition to the amenities offered within your building’s walls, you also provide programs and services that increase community health, wellness and fitness. This is one of the many reasons Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is grateful to partner with YMCAs & JCCs nationwide. We’ve witnessed the amazing contributions you make every day.

We want to help YMCA & JCCs continue to improve the health, wellness, and fitness of their communities by supporting their initiatives with the 2026 Life Fitness / Hammer Strength Community Impact Awards.

Vote for your favorite initiative for the 2026 Community Impact Awards.

The Community Impact Award spotlights YMCA & JCC initiatives that will impact the fitness, health or wellness of its community. Each association is invited to submit ONE initiative. We will select 10 finalists and promote their initiatives. The Top 3 will be selected by popular vote and receive the Community Impact Award as well as $2,500 USD to support their future initiative.

Vote using the form below.

Rules

Collaborate cross-functionally with your branches to align on ONE initiative that will impact the fitness, health or wellness of your community. 
Fill out a brief submission form containing your initiative. Description must be 75–200 words.  
The Life Fitness / Hammer Strength team will thoroughly review the applications. 
After the top 10 finalists are announced, you'll cast your vote for the winner..  
3 winners will be selected to win $2,500 USD and bragging rights.

Considerations

When thinking of which initiative you want to vote for, consider the following criteria: the impact on the health and fitness of the people serviced and the breadth of those impacted.

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD KEY DATES

2026 Top 10 Finalists

Wallingford Family YMCA

Fit to Go is a free YMCA after-school program that helps middle school students build healthy habits through fitness, nutrition education, and positive social connection. The program gives underserved youth a safe space to stay active, grow confidence, and reduce screen time.

YMCA of Greater Springfield

This six-week program supports women navigating menopause through strength training, education, and community in a supportive environment. Participants build confidence, improve long-term health, and feel empowered in their wellness journey.

East Boston YMCA

This women’s-only aquatics program provides Muslim, Latina, immigrant, and local women in East Boston with a safe and welcoming space for fitness, water safety, and community connection. Through partnerships with the YMCA, City of Boston, and Umana Academy, the program helps break down cultural and accessibility barriers to wellness.

YMCA of Central New York

Y on the Fly brings YMCA health and wellness programming directly into local neighborhoods through mobile outreach and community partnerships. By offering health education, preventive screenings, and wellness resources where people live and gather, the initiative helps improve access, awareness, and long-term community health.

YMCA of Central Massachusetts

The Exercise for All Program at the Greendale YMCA creates inclusive fitness opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities through exercise, social connection, and skill-building support. By expanding specialized trainer education, the program aims to better serve the growing need for accessible and adaptive wellness programming in the community.

Valley of the Sun YMCA

The Valley of the Sun YMCA’s Veterans Wellness Initiative helps veterans rebuild strength, confidence, and connection through personalized health coaching and supportive wellness spaces. By reducing barriers to fitness and fostering community, the program empowers veterans to improve their health and re-engage in active lifestyles.

Trager Family JCC

The AgeWell program supports adults 60+ through affordable fitness, social connection, and enriching activities that promote physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. From group exercise and shared meals to choir performances and community outings, the program helps seniors stay active, connected, and engaged.

New Orleans JCC

J on the Move brings free fitness and wellness programming to local schools lacking physical education resources. Through movement, wellness education, and mentorship, the program helps students build healthy habits and stay active.

Georgia Mountains YMCA

The Georgia Mountain YMCA’s Safety Around Water program helps children build swimming skills and water confidence through school-based partnerships and no-cost lessons. By teaching water safety and encouraging lifelong physical activity, the program helps create a safer, healthier community.

Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House

Girls with Gloves is a boxing-based empowerment program that helps women and girls build strength, confidence, and resilience through fitness and community support. The program promotes both physical wellness and personal growth for domestic violence survivors, single mothers, and teen girls.

Vote Now