Virtual Group Exercise Frequently Asked Questions

Virtual group exercise is an extension of the Ys health & wellness member benefits. In addition to our robust schedule of safe, in-person group exercise classes at our Y centers, members now have the option to log in from home and participate in live-streaming or on-demand classes with our wonderful Y instructors!

We are thrilled to provide this new exclusive Y member benefit, adding to and strengthening the overall Y membership experience.

Yes! They are the same classes that are run in our Y centers.

Yes! All classes are led by Y in Central Maryland instructors.

No. Registration is not required.

No. There is no limit to the number of members who can participate in a virtual class nor is there a limit to the number of virtual classes any member can take.

Members can only access virtual group exercise using the email address for their Y account. To ensure that you can log into this new virtual member benefit, please call your Y CENTER to confirm your email address. If we need to update your email address on your Y account, you will have to wait 24 hours before you can log into virtual group exercise.

Please Note: The same email address cannot be used for multiple people. Each member must have a unique email address on file in their Y account in order to access virtual group exercise.

Great news -- all Y members already have access! Y members automatically receive a "welcome" email when they join the Y, to set up their password for virtual group exercise.

1. Click any of the "login" buttons on this page or CLICK HERE.
2. Enter the email address that we have on file at the Y
3. Enter your virtual group exercise password (your password was set up through the "welcome" email). If you do not know your password or you didn't set it up, click FORGOT PASSWORD and follow the prompts.

Voila! If you need help logging into virtual group exercise, please contact your Y center. 

Make sure you are using the email address for your Y account. If you are unsure of your email address, call your Y center to confirm your email address. If we need to update your email address on your Y account, you will have to wait 24 hours before you can log into virtual group exercise.

If you know your email address but have forgotten your password, click the FORGOT PASSWORD link.

Yes! Virtual group exercise is in addition to our already robust offering of in-person group exercise classes. You can continue taking classes in-person and now have the option of also participating virtually from home, if you so choose.

There are two ways to participate:

1. Live stream: Login from home to participate in real-time live group exercise classes! You'll be able to identify these classes as they will say "Live".

2. On demand: Once a live stream class is over, the recording is added to our virtual library of classes. On-demand classes are available at any time.

Please Note: Zumba and all Les Mills classes such as BODYPUMP, will only be available through live-streaming due to licensing restrictions.

There are two ways to find virtual classes:

1. (Recommended): Click the button below to search for classes directly on our virtual platform. Use the filter options to narrow your search. Currently, virtual classes are only being streamed from the Dancel, Parkville and Pasadena Ys, however, instructors from other Y centers will also teach at these locations to create a mix of instructor-led virtual classes.

See Virtual Classes

2. Virtual classes are also listed on the Dancel, Parkville and Pasadena online schedules (web and mobile app). Classes with “virtual” in the name will be live-streamed. Once the live stream recording is complete, it will become part of our virtual on-demand library (except Zumba and Les Mills classes).

A variety of exercise classes will be available including yoga; body sculpt; HIIT; Pilates; BODYPUMP; everfit; cardio dance; Zumba; cardio kickboxing; family yoga; and much more! All fitness levels are welcome for each class.

Please Note: Zumba and all Les Mills classes such as BODYPUMP, will only be available through live-streaming due to licensing restrictions.

Yes. All members can access all classes regardless of where they are streamed from. 

Currently, virtual classes are live-streamed from the Dancel, Parkville and Pasadena Ys. Instructors from other Y centers will also teach at these locations to create a mix of instructor-led virtual classes.

Most of the live stream classes are actual in-person Y classes that take place in our centers however, the camera is solely focused on the instructor. There will also be a few live stream classes each week that will not have in-person participation.

Anywhere from 20 or more classes will be live-streamed each week. Once a class is recorded and added to our virtual on-demand library, it will be available online at any time.

Yes! There are several social features for you to enjoy:

Leaderboard: This shows the names of the members participating virtually. Each member has a sweat score next to their name which represents the number of minutes they have watched class on the virtual platform.

Chat: Send a group chat message to the entire class by clicking the large chat bubble in the top right. You can direct message with friends in class by clicking the chat bubble next to their name.

High Five: Give a high five by clicking the hand icon next to a name.

Your Crew: Add friends/family to “your crew” by clicking the + sign next to their name.

2-Way Video: Participate virtually with a friend and see them on your screen by activating the 2-way video. Just click the black AUDIO & VIDEO SETTINGS bar and click the Start Video icon. You can be seen by the entire class or just “your crew”. You can choose your “view” (speaker/instructor, gallery, etc.). The 2-way video feature is available for live stream and on-demand classes.

Favorites: Click the heart icon below the video in the bottom right to save a class in your “favorites”.

Your Profile: Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner of the website. From here, you can upload a profile photo of yourself and check out your personal “favorites” or “completed” classes.

LIVE: Classes that are live-streaming right now.

UPCOMING: Live-stream classes that are coming up next.

COMPLETED: Classes you have participated in.

CARDIO/STRENGTH/MIND-BODY: Classes listed under these categories are part of our virtual library of on-demand classes.

For the most optimal workout experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer to stream our classes. You can also use your phone, iPad, TV, etc. as long as your devices are up-to-date.

If you are streaming a class on another device, you must ensure you are running the latest version to hear the music and instructor as seamlessly as possible.

• If you are using a macbook please ensure you are running on macOS 10.15.6 or higher
• For iOS devices, please update to iOS version 14 or iPadOS 14
• For Android devices, use Android version 9 and higher
• All music controls will work best on Google Chrome

If you experience problems with streaming classes, video playback, or any of the platform features listed above, please email studiosupport@forte.fit