YMCA Reciprocal Program is a Great Asset for Masters Swimmers

One of the tools I have in my pocket that makes it easy to be a Masters swimmer with my busy schedule is the YMCA reciprocal program. Staying in top swimming shape is not easy, as I travel a lot for my job and have been a “road warrior” over the last 6 years. I “achieved” Marriott’s Platinum Elite rewards level last year. Which simply means I sleep in a lot of different hotel rooms. Yet I’ve still been able to stay in shape and get in the pool regularly. There are many ways I stay in shape while I’m on the road; I do yoga in my hotel room and I also do resistance stretching. But the YMCA reciprocal program is by far the best tool I have for staying in top swimming shape with my travel schedule.

Morning Swim at the Old Colony YMCA

The reciprocal program in New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) allows me as a Y member in Maine to visit any YMCA in New England whenever I want. There are no limitations to visiting Y’s in New England that I’ve found. As New England has been my primary place of travel, the reciprocal program has worked out nicely for me. I always stay at hotels that are near YMCA’s so I can get in a swim on the road.

Often I swim by myself when I travel, however sometimes I’m able to swim with Masters swim teams as well. This has led me to create some fantastic new friendships over the years with teams like the Meriden Misfits in Meriden, CT led by coach Ally Sega. They are so welcoming that I feel like I’m a part of their team. Ally takes the time to help me with my technique every time I visit. And they invite me out to their after swim socials as well.

When traveling outside of New England, the YMCA’s I’ve visited have always been accommodating to me and offered some type of limited passes while I am in town. I have enjoyed swimming at the Lafayette Family YMCA in Colorado, the Albany, NY YMCA, Saratoga Springs, NY YMCA, and Lakewood Ranch, FL YMCA, to name a few. At Lakewood Ranch I enjoyed swimming with the Sarasota Sharks Masters swim team and was welcomed by Ed Mench and his morning group of swimmers. Ed even took the time to help me with my backstroke. The tip has made a huge difference in my speed!

I grew up swimming and hanging out at the YMCA and love the YMCA for many reasons. The biggest reason I love the Y today is the YMCA reciprocal program. It has definitely enabled me to train and compete as a Masters swimmer, especially with my extremely busy travel schedule.

What has helped you stay in top swimming shape when you travel?