Healthy Bodies, is published by Central YMCA with contributions from a range of organisations with an interest in body image including Girl Guiding UK, Men’s Health Forum, B-Eat (the Eating Disorders Association) and Jo Swinson MP. The magazine is the first of its kind to indicate which of its images are airbrush-free.

Central YMCA, which is campaigning to tackle society’s obsession with body image “ideals”, produced the magazine in response to research which showed that 90% of the UK adult population want more discussion about body image, and 77% are concerned about airbrushing in advertising and the media.

Rosi Prescott, Chief Executive of Central YMCA says: “The public are constantly bombarded with body image “ideals” in advertising and the media, and we think that this magazine will provide some light relief from this onslaught. 

“This magazine is the first of its kind to carry an airbrush free logo for images that haven’t been digitally enhanced and we think advertisers and the media should begin to adopt this approach in response to growing public mistrust about images they are presented with in advertising and through the media.”

In addition to carrying an “airbrush free” logo the magazine also explains the biological and genetic limitations to changing body shape and size, and talks through the various approaches charities such as the YMCA and Girl Guiding UK have taken to address body image issues with young people.

The front cover of the magazine shows how the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown would look before and after digital enhancement.
Susie Orbach, author of the book Bodies said:

“This magazine is a welcome and witty addition. Body Image problems seem trivial but they are in fact serious and affect girls, boys, women and men from all backgrounds and ages. We have a public health emergency which YMCA is trying to grapple with. This magazine is a wonderful initiative in the fight for sustainable bodies.”

Click Here (http://www.ymca.co.uk/healthy_bodies_petition/petition.html) to add your name to our petition!

In a recent survey, our UKFN members were given the opportunity to offer feedback regarding how much value they receive from their UKFN membership.  Thank you to those who responded. 

After much consideration, taking into account the respondents’ views and our subsequent discussions with the UKFN group regarding the proposed UKFN fee from 1^st January 2010, we felt we could no longer commit to the suggested fee structure approved by the UKFN working group.  We have therefore reluctantly decided to withdraw from the UKFN from      31^st December 2009. 

This decision has not been taken lightly and we acknowledge that this may come as a disappointment to some. We explored every possible option that may have allowed us to remain a part of the UKFN for at least a further year, but were unable to reach a compromise acceptable to all our partners. 

As part of our business planning process, we reviewed Club finances to ensure that we would be able to meet both the objectives of Central YMCA and the specific objectives of the YMCA Club, which include further investment in the development of our facilities and the continued growth of our community programmes. The financial restrictions placed upon us by remaining in the UKFN, would hinder our ability to fulfil these objectives.

Our UKFN Members will be able to access other sites until 31^st December 2009, which will be the last day of our association with the UKFN.  After this date, memberships will continue to include full access to the facilities here at Central YMCA Club, but without the access to other UKFN sites.  

We continue to support the UKFN and its objectives and wish it and its member sites continued success.

Barry Cronin

Executive Director

Please note that on the morning of Wednesday 9th September the sauna and steam room will be out of action for installation of emergency call buttons. Internal work is expected to be completed by 11am.

Our apologies in advance for this inconvenience.

At noon today, Central YMCA Club unveil their transformation plans to members. Members will be able to view further details of the plans. Until 2pm members will be able to snack on refreshments and have any questions answered by staff. The exhibition will also be staffed later that day from 5pm to 7.30pm and again on Tuesday 27^th during the same times. The exhibition will remain until later in the development.

Central YMCA Club encourages members to use the communication tools set up, for feedback, comments and checking in on progress and updates.

The Speak Up portal located on level -1 by OJ’s is available for members to submit their comments and feedback to a member of staff. Alternative comment cards are also available at Reception or by the exhibition.

Central YMCA Club announced a £2.6 million investment programme that will ensure an exciting and vibrant transformation of the Central YMCA Club. Members will witness remarkable improvements to the facilities and services offered.

The -3 development includes: much larger state-of-the-art-changing rooms; new air conditioning; an extended cardio zone; a new free weights studio; more exercise studios; a new cycling studio and new, improved holistic therapy rooms.