Group Ex Grit

Back row: Camille, Cindy, Gwen, Gloria, Yvonne A.
Front row: Chloe, Gina, Yvonne Y., Reatha

Come to the J on Monday evenings, and you’ll see what looks like a family reunion. Every week, a group of 10+ women gather to attend Tim Bass‘s Total Body BoxJUMP class, then make their way down to the Mordoh Fitness Center‘s Group Ex Studio for a HIIT workout immediately afterwards. Here’s what a few of them had to say about why they love JCC Group Ex classes enough to do two in a row, and what keeps them motivated.

“When I’m Not Here, I Think About Being Here”

Gina, Reatha, Yvonne A. and Gloria have all been coming to the J for at least 15 years, and they all credit the JCC with keeping them healthy.

Gina: I’m getting older, and I need to really take care of myself. I feel so much better when I exercise.

Reatha: I’ve got to keep moving, because when I stop, I’ll lose everything. What do I do when I’m not at the J? Think about being here!

Yvonne A.: I just want to be able to keep moving the rest of my life. I want to be healthy.

Gloria: It’s a part of my life now, part of my lifestyle. When I don’t work out, I’m thinking about it.

Chloe, by contrast, has only been a JCC member for a year, but she’s inspired to stick with her routine by the people around her. When asked what keeps her motivated, she said, “Watching all these other women do it – I’m younger, so I’ve got to keep up! If they can do it, I can do it.”

“It’s Like A Big Family”

The party vibes and family atmosphere – sometimes literally – are what keep all the women coming back to the J.

Yvonne A.: I like working out with other people. I work harder and tend to slack less, and it’s more fun. We push each other and we encourage each other.

Reatha: I’ve met so many good people at the J. They make you feel like you’re at home. When you come in, they acknowledge you, talk to you. I love the environment.

Chloe: It’s judgment-free. There’s so much diversity, and everyone’s so nice here. It’s like a big family.

Gloria: It’s a family affair for me – my mother, my father, my brother, my grandkids, they all come. I enjoy the people here, and the facility has everything I want – I’m even taking swim lessons now!

Gina is actually married to Total Body BoxJUMP instructor Tim, but he’s not the only reason she loves Group Ex at the J. “It’s a family atmosphere. We just love and support one another. We go from one party here [Total Body BoxJUMP] to the other party [HIIT]. When new people come, we try to make them feel welcome and try to support them.”

You can join in on the party too! Total Body BoxJUMP and HIIT are both FREE to members. Total Body BoxJUMP is held on Mondays from 5-5:30 pm and Saturdays 9-10 am, and HIIT classes are held on Mondays from 6-6:45 pm, Tuesdays/Thursdays 8-8:45 am, Wednesdays 5-5:45 pm, Thursdays 5:30-6:15 pm and Saturdays 10:45-11:30 am.