The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) recently introduced its Fit Truk, a fully equipped wellness hub on wheels, expanding access to health and fitness offerings across Chester County. YGBW is the first YMCA Association on the east coast – and the second in the nation – to operate a Fit Truk. 

“The purpose of the Fit Truk is to be able to take the services of the Y beyond our physical locations,” said Veronica Lopez, vice president of health strategies. “Not everyone can make it to the Y. The Fit Truk allows us to provide programs and services out in the communities that we serve – including schools, parks, local businesses and more. We can also partner with corporations through our corporate wellness programs to bring the Fit Truk on site to support employee well-being or with healthcare providers to help reach underserved communities.”  

The Fit Truk is equipped with a full cohort of exercise equipment to provide a full workout for all fitness levels.  The Fit Truk can provide a full fitness experience to 40 people at a time and includes office space for healthcare providers to conduct screenings, administer vaccinations and offer other wellness services. 

“With the Fit Truk, we have the opportunity to deliver fitness directly into our community – but also to provide vital health screenings performed by medical providers,” said YGBW president and CEO, Bertram L. Lawson II. “Together, we can fast-track the delivery of our mission to all in Chester County – moving beyond our branch walls and forging new paths to connect our neighbors to vital health services.” 

The Fit Truk extends the organization’s work to ensure that all in the community have access to tools, knowledge and resources that promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce and prevent chronic disease. With the Fit Truk, YGBW can expand services, reaching portions of the county where services are most needed. 

Lopez sees the flexibility of the Fit Truk as one of its best features. The programs can be tailored to the audience, delivering fitness instruction that adapt to the needs of each community, whether serving youth, seniors or beginners on their health journey or offering chronic disease prevention programs such as blood pressure monitoring. 

“The goal is to adapt the Fit Truk’s services to the needs of the community it serves,” Lopez said. “While the Fit Truk is one of the most visible elements of our work, it is just one piece of a much larger puzzle as we continue to address gaps in the health care continuum.”

Although Chester County has the highest income level of any county in the state, it is also an area with great needs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 35,000 Chester County residents are living in the poverty level and an additional 60,000 earn less than the basic cost of living, which impacts their overall health.

To help reach this population with important health care and fitness, YGBW raises funds to provide financial assistance to those unable to pay the standard rates. In 2024, more than $2.6 million was provided to ensure area residents have access to childcare, summer camp, wellness programs and memberships at YGBW.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is a leading non-profit organization committed to building community, serving more than 87,000 people throughout Chester County. YGBW operates nine branches and program centers as well as the new Fit Truk, providing life-changing programs to nurture the potential of every child, promote healthy living for all and foster social responsibility. 

For more information visit ymcagbw.org. To discuss partnership opportunities, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve the Fit Truk, visit ymcagbw.org/fittruk.