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.”

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“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.”

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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.