REMINDER YOM KIPPUR CLOSINGS: Both JCCs will be closed from Tues, 10/4 at 3:30pm thru Wed, 10/5. Blue Gym in OM closes Mon. 10/3 at 7:00pm, and reopens Thurs. 10/6 at 9:00am. Find future closings: jcc.org/hours

  • Today's Hours

  • Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC
    5:30am - 9:00pm

  • Weinberg Park Heights JCC
    5:30am - 9:30pm

Shabbat candle lighting: 6:21pm

Shabbat candle lighting: 6:21pm

JCC Blog

JCC Blog

Tag: Health

Nov14
by admin
Exercise Fitness Health Personal Training
A Faster Road to Recovery

JCC Member Neil Shaffer Strengthens Two “New Knees” 

Long time JCC Member Neil Shaffer has had four arthroscopic knee surgeries and two total knee replacements in the last 6 years, yet that doesn’t deter him from getting out to the J’s fitness centers four to five times a week.

Neil’s injuries occurred over the course of time, through wear and tear. He’s been determined to get things back as best as he can, knowing his new knees may degenerate as well.

A former runner, basketball and softball player, Neil is thrilled to do his elliptical, ride the bike, and walk the treadmill routine. He gives great credit to his orthopedist, Dr. Jon Koman, and his JCC Personal Trainer, Sivan Fagan, for...

Jul28
by admin
Fitness Health Sports Teens Youth
Giving it up to Gain it all

Coach Brendan McElroy Gives His Barricudas the Lessons of a Lifetime 

Coach Brendan with Nolan PlantJCC Barricudas’ Swim Team Head Coach Brendan McElroy began his coaching career in 1997. Coach Brendan, as he’s affectionately known, worked in the corporate world for several years and was looking to change course. He had an economics degree from the University of Virginia and a highly lucrative position generating sales for a large chemical manufacturing company in St. Louis, Missouri.

Adopted as the youngest in a large white lower middle class family in Baltimore City, Coach Brendan made a...

Jun16
by admin
Exercise Fitness Health Personal Training
Listening to His Body

Antoine Griffin Goes After His Health and Fitness Goals 

Antoine Griffin is coming off an “exceptional workout”: after going at it for nearly three hours he’s feeling a mix of energized and exhausted, and pumped.

Antoine works out with the J’s very own Harold Harris on Mondays and Wednesdays, but today, a Friday, he worked out on his own. (He typically works out six days a week, including a long distance swim).

Since April of 2015, when he first joined the J, Antoine has dropped from a 44” waist to a 34” waist. He originally weighed 269 pounds then dropped 76lbs. to his current weight of 193. He is 8lbs. shy of his goal weight of 185.

A Baltimore native, Antoine joined...

Apr12
by admin
Health Fitness Exercise
A “Toni” Transformation

JCC Member Toni Greenberg’s Journey to Better Health 

It began on March 7, 1987. I was getting dressed to attend my friend's wedding. I hadn't worn anything fancy in a year or two. Nothing in my closet fit. I was furious — at myself, at my clothes, at my weight. I had to ask a neighbor to borrow a dress. 

All through my childhood, teen years and for most of my 20's, I was thin. I didn't realize just how much weight I had gained in the past two or three years.

The next morning, I drove to Pikesville and attended my first Weight Watchers meeting. Ina Bronfein was the leader of the class. She saw how...

Mar21
by admin
Fitness Health Exercise Personal Training
Introducing Blake Piesto

J Fitness Team Member Muscles 407lbs off the Ground

J Fitness Team Member Blake Piesto has been coming to the JCC of Greater Baltimore since the age of five. In many ways, he is your classic J Kid. He attended preschool here, Kids Center after school, and every summer, he attended J Camps.

The difference between Piesto then and Piesto now is incredible. For starters, he’s stronger.

At 26 years of age and holding in the 130lb. weight class, Piesto recently deadlifted 407 lbs. to become a USA Powerlifting Champion.

407 lbs. is a lot of weight!

The thrill of winning the championship Piesto describes as “awesome, a rush, and totally exhilarating.”

In his earlier J days, Piesto...

Feb24
by admin
Fitness Health
Women and Heart Disease

With tips from Dr. Ali Tabrizchi and Lisa Sawyer 

Did you know that more women die from heart disease than from all forms of cancer, Alzheimer’s and lower respiratory disease combined? On February 3, 2016, Dr. Ali Tabrizchi, interventional cardiologist from LifeBridge Health Cardiovascular Institute gave a presentation about how heart disease affects women and how their symptoms and risk are different from men at our well attended “Go Red for Women – A Ladies Night Out” event.

Risk Factors
Dr. Tabrizchi discussed ways to modify your risk for developing heart disease.  There are two risk factors you cannot control: your...

Jan29
by admin
Exercise Fitness Health
Make Your Next Shoveling Adventure a Safe Workout!

Did you know a 145lb. person can burn 400 calories during just one hour of shoveling? Shoveling can be an excellent workout, but also a quick route to injury if you are not careful and don’t use proper shoveling techniques.

Here are my tips to prevent injury and get the most out of shoveling:

  1. Warm-up and stretch! You wouldn't skip this step at the gym, so don't do it now!
  2. Equipment — Make sure your shovel is long enough so you don't have to bend over too much. It’s not a good idea to borrow a kid-size shovel if you aren't a kid! Curved or adjustable handles are great.
  3. Start off slow — Even after stretching and warming up, it is still a great idea to ease into your shoveling workout.
  4. Alternate pushing and lifting; think of them as "sets". Do a set of 5-10 using the...
Jan03
by Anonymous
Personal Training Health Fitness Exercise
Getting Personal About Personal Training

Along with health insurance and regular doctor visits, personal training can be one of the best investments you can make in your health. Personal trainers can help you reach your fitness goals efficiently and safely. They can also be the uplifting source of motivation you need to hold you accountable for working out. 

Still, many are hesitant to take the step and hire a personal trainer.  And even once they do, how can they be sure they are getting the most out of their sessions?  Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about personal training.

I’ve thought about getting a personal trainer, but I get really intimidated by the “drill sergeant” personal trainers.  Are there other types of trainers?
At the J, we have over 20 personal trainers on our staff with a wide variety of personalities,...

Jan01
by Anonymous
Exercise Fitness Health
10 Tips to Kick off a Healthy New Year

Brought to you by some the J’s very own wellness experts.

Amy Scwartz’s Tips

  • Set Short-Term, Realistic Goals. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, focus on losing the first five.
  • Track Your Progress. Keep a food journal to help you stay on track, and reward yourself for each five pounds lost.
  • Don’t Beat Yourself Up. Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take one day at a time.

Raychel Setless’s Tips

  • Try Something New. Spice up your fitness schedule by adding something new into the mix.  Maybe this is an outdoor winter sport, a new group fitness class, adding a new...