J Blog

Tennis is a great sport that challenges us on multiple levels. It is a great tool for stress relief as well. Tennis can be played by anyone no matter their age or ability.

The fact that tennis is a non-contact sport played on a 78-foot long court makes tennis the ideal sport for social distancing. In fact, the Texas Medical Association came out with a risk chart, and listed tennis at a level 2 with 1 being the safest and 10 being the least safe activity to participate in during these trying times. It's socially rewarding while being socially distant.

Read our Director of Fitness Services, Robin Fortenberry's, update on new Group Exercise classes and protocols, changes to our water exercise class schedule and information about our outdoor pool schedule as we head into the fall season. 

In Memory of Dr. Charles Hurwitz

A long and healthy life. When I hear that phrase, the person that comes to my mind is Dr. Charles Hurwitz. In my first year as Director of Fitness Services, I had the pleasure of meeting Charles. At that time he was a bit of a celebrity at the J, mostly because of his age. Charles was just over 102 years old at that time and had been a member of the J for 20 years, regularly working out three times a week.

Fencing is one of the oldest sports, dating back to the very first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Its popularity in the U.S. is increasing, becoming the new "It" sport for kids. And while it may look easy, fencing is not only a great workout, it also builds your mental muscles as well. 

So why should you and your kids try fencing?

This is the time of year where there is a lot of talk about resolutions to lose weight, gain muscle, get in shape, tone up, get fit, etc., etc., etc. There is also a lot of talk about "New Year, New You," which means exactly what? The problem is that all of this information is too vague and doesn't give the average individual, who wants to make positive changes with their health, any real direction. Don't get caught up in hype and catch phrases. Instead, start your New Year's resolution by setting some realistic goals. 

We finished up our men’s basketball season with two exciting championship games on Monday, December 9. The first championship game was in our 35+ League where we saw an exciting match with Rody Grant’s team beating Ohad Nezer’s team for the championship.

We are now in the middle of what is referred to as the Holiday Season. It is a festive time of year full of get togethers, travel and celebration. And regardless of what specific holiday you celebrate, almost all come with a wide variety of epicurean delights in the form of food and drink.

So how do we enjoy the festivities and maintain a healthy weight? By finding a balance of indulgence and maintenance. Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy your favorite holiday sensibly and with moderation.

One of the biggest challenges in terms of our health and wellness is maintaining consistency with our exercise program. The saying, "showing up is half the battle" is, in fact, true. Then there is the frustration of trying to re-establish that consistency after a long layoff.

Even a week off can affect your normal time-clock and schedule to a point where you struggle to get to the gym. Consistency is one of the biggest keys to accomplishing our fitness goals and maintaining health and wellness. Here are some tips to use to get yourself back on schedule.

The week of October 12-19 is Bone and Joint Health National Action Week. We at the Fitness Center think that every week should be bone and joint health action week, but we are still glad that it is important enough of a health concern to make it a National Action item.

There are a few things that come to mind when we think of bone and joint health, such as arthritis, back pain and osteoporosis. There are also a handful of ways that you can educate yourself on injury prevention.

The benefits of maintaining proper posture go well beyond just looking good. Not only do joints such as shoulders, hips and knees move better with proper posture and alignment, but internal organs also work more efficiently when your posture is in line.

In fact, the effect of improper posture on the internal organs can create digestive and circulatory issues that can lead to discomfort, lack of energy and even illness. Proper posture can also help reduce headaches caused by improper neck alignment and reduce lower back pain.