Women on Weights

JFIT Lift: Women on Weights participants Barbara, Susan, Sanna and Erin have been JCC members for vastly different amounts of time: Barbara and family have been part of the J for 30+ years, Susan is back after a hiatus, Sanna just joined a few years ago, and Erin and family have been members for about 15 years (her son is even a former employee). And beyond that, Women on Weights isn’t the only JCC exercise class they have taken part in. Barbara has taken dance classes, Susan goes to SilverSneakers (“I brought a friend because I thought I was doing her a favor. Wrong! It turned out to be a gift to me,”) and does Pilates Reformer, Sanna is a yoga/Pilates regular, and among other things Erin learned to properly breaststroke at the J so she could swim in a triathlon.

But while Barbara, Susan, Sanna and Erin all came to the JCC and Women on Weights in different ways, they have found a “community within a community” with each other and instructor Heather. “What I like most about the class is doing it with the group,” Sanna said. “I wish we could do it every day, because when I’m out on my own it’s less fun. It’s like group therapy!” And that’s exactly the point, according to Heather. “It’s really nice to see everyone cheer each other on, encourage each other to do more, help each other with decisions on weight amount and form.”

The women had all been interested in weightlifting (on doctors’ recommendations, to build up bone density, or for reasons as simple as “I want to be strong,”) but wanted to make sure they had a good instructor who could keep an eye on their form to help avoid injury. So when this class appeared on the Marcia and Bruce Sklare JFIT Studio schedule, they knew it would be the perfect fit, and were absolutely proven right. “I’m amazed at how much better my arms look,” Barbara said. “Four sessions (out of six) in and I could already see a difference in the contours of my arms.” And their praise for Heather was effusive: “I can’t say enough good things about Heather,” Erin said. “I’ve learned a lot about what exercises to do in what sequence. It’s been fabulous; I think she’s fantastic.” Susan chimed in, “I feel safe with Heather.”

Standing nearby listening to the conversation, Heather was visibly moved by the kind words. “Women’s health is super important to me. I love to watch women lift weights, see the confidence you have and how strong you’re getting,” she said. “It’s so fun to me to watch you come in and find camaraderie and see how you keep showing up for yourselves and for each other every week. One of my favorite parts of the week is planning what we’re going to do and being here working with you.”

Find JFIT classes in the Group Ex Schedule on JCCindy.org/schedules