Programs
Explore Southeast Louisiana VA's diverse program offerings, which include patient health care, cutting-edge clinical research and other specialties.
Monkeypox
On May 7, 2022, the world was alerted to a confirmed case of monkeypox in the United Kingdom. Since then, the virus has spread to many countries including the United States, and the World Health Organization has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On August 4, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency in the United States.
Click here to learn about monkeypox vaccines and current eligibility criteria.
MOVE! Program
MOVE! is VA’s evidence-based weight management program. Adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program, MOVE! assists Veterans to achieve clinically meaningful (~5%) weight loss to improve their health and reduce their risk for chronic health conditions, like diabetes. MOVE! features a comprehensive lifestyle intervention that provides Veterans with support to make changes to their eating patterns, increase physical activity, and use strategies (like goal setting and problem solving) that help with these changes. The self-management skills Veterans learn in MOVE! also help them to manage chronic conditions, including diabetes.
If you would like to learn more about how MOVE! has helped Veterans improve their health and their lives, please visit MOVE! Stories: The Power of Change.
Below are local resources in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area to help Veterans with their physical activity.
Move Baby, Move! - Chair-based fitness exercise classes in New Orleans
https://www.movebabymove.com/
Planet Fitness
19 locations between Bay St. Louis, MS and Baton Rouge, LA
Membership
Classic: $10/month
Blackcard: $24.99/month (Confirm on website)
https://www.planetfitness.com/
Anytime Fitness
58 Locations between Baton Rouge and SW Mississippi
https://www.anytimefitness.com/
YMCA (ask about Veterans discount)
Baton Rouge YMCA
8 Locations
https://www.ymcabr.org/membership
Belle Chasse YMCA
8101 Highway 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Dryades YMCA
2220 Oretha C Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113
East Jefferson YMCA
6691 Riverside Dr.
Metairie, LA 70003
https://www.ymcaneworleans.org/
West St. Tammany YMCA
71256 Francis Road
Covington, LA 70433
Youfit Health Club
Youfit Harvey
2424 Manhattan Blvd
Harvey, LA 70058
https://youfit.com/
New Orleans
New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD)
https://nordc.org/
Baton Rouge
Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC)
https://www.brec.org/
Swimming Pools in the Community
NORD:
Website: https://nordc.org/parks/
Indoor Pools:
Tremé Recreation Center
900 N. Villere St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
Indoor, open year-round
Monday – Friday - 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday - 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday - Closed
Gert Town Natatorium3411 Broadway St.
New Orleans, LA 70125
Indoor, open year-round
Monday - Friday – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday - closed
Joe W. Brown Park
5601 Read Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70127
Indoor, open year-round
Monday - Friday – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday - Closed
Sanchez Multi-Service Center
1616 Caffin Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70117
Indoor, open year-round
Monday - Friday - 8 a.m.-8p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday - Closed
UNO
Website: https://unoaquatics.com/
Cost: Membership $15/month
Location:
UNO Aquatic Center
Robyn Barthel, Aquatic Center Manager
robyn@selaaquatics.com
6801 Franklin Ave
New Orleans, LA 70122
Hours
Indoor Pool:
Mon/Wed/Fri: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tues/Thurs: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Outdoor Pool:
Mon/Wed/Fri: 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tues/Thurs: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
YMCA
Website: https://www.ymcaneworleans.org/
The following locations offers veterans a 10% discount and may also waive the sign-up fee. If financial assistance is needed, bring in proof of income(tax papers) and fee will be rated according to income.
East Jefferson YMCA
6691 Riverside Dr.
Metairie, LA 70003
Dryades YMCA
2220 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
New Orleans , LA 70113
Belle Chasse YMCA
8101 Highway 23 Belle Chasse
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
West St. Tammany YMCA
71256 Francis Road
Covington, LA 70433
Elmwood Fitness Center
www.elmwoodfitness.com
Multiple locations: Harahan, Downtown, Heritage Plaza
East Jefferson General Hospital’s The Wellness Center
www.ejgh.org
4200 Houma Blvd., Metairie, LA 70006
West Jefferson General Hospital
www.wjmc.org
504.349.6908 to reach our Terrytown location, located at 175 Hector Avenue
504.349.6164 to reach our Marrero location at 1121 Medical Center Blvd.
$27/ month for veterans
Additional Resources
General online and in-person fitness links
Active and Fit Direct for USAA Members: USAA has teamed up with American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc. to offer members access to the Active&Fit Direct program, which features a national network of fitness centers and select YMCAs. $25/month https://www.activeandfitdirect.com/fitness/USAA
YMCA Physical Activity Videos: https://ymca360.org/
Veterans Exercise Online: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/79680/veterans-exercise-online-pace-schedule/
Silver Sneakers program: If you have SilverSneakers included in your Medicare Advantage Plan, you get all of the location access, SilverSneakers classes, on-demand videos, and perks of membership at no additional cost. https://tools.silversneakers.com/
BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana gym discount for Blue365 program https://www.bcbsla.com/wellness/discounts
Yoga
Live yoga classes: www.ompractice.com/veteransaffairs/
Recorded yoga classes: https://news.va.gov/category/health/livewholehealth/ (search YOGA)
Free Yoga for Vets: https://www.yogaforvets.org/
Balance Yoga Wellness (NOLA): https://balanceyogawellness.com/mindful-yoga-for-veterans/
VA YouTube Playlist (VA Portland, Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi, etc): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3AQ_JVoBEyyg8PKc__hge6CXBkB-lsN_
Sarah Beth Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/c/sarahbethyoga
Veteran Yoga Project: https://veteransyogaproject.org/
https://news.va.gov/119133/veterans-yoga-project-free-yoga-for-veterans/?utm_source=feature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources&utm_id=03MAY2023
Tai Chi
Youtube.com Search
Beautiful Crescent Tai Chi
Zibin Guo Adaptive Tai Chi
Tai Chi and Qigong: https://youtu.be/sjF1dDAAdUs
Tai Chi Form Only: https://youtu.be/bEaw2CWKL34
Tai Chi Overview: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3caNL4qouzCeMTGuB7vz8-xHkbneQ6nz
Warm up: https://youtu.be/vgAnAFRkjiQ
Warm up: https://youtu.be/PEFhEO1Vitk
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z95gPdFC7GM
The Gerofit YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/gerofitexercise, includes a total of 17 videos created by our colleagues at Gerofit, focused on a variety of activities including cardio, interval training, resistance bands, bodyweight strengthening, t'ai chi, core strengthening, yoga, and seated yoga.