New Year's Resolution - Join a JCC: Get Fit, Lose Weight, and Make a Difference

This year I vow to . . . what?

If joining a gym and getting fit, losing weight, or building muscle is on your New Year’s Resolution list, become a member of the JCC. The Jewish Community Centers of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are offering deals to get you in their doors this January. Don’t miss out.

The Twin Cities are blessed with the convenience of two JCCs, one on each side of the river.* The resources and programs vary, but each facility boasts a full service fitness center including pools, aerobic equipment and weights, full-sized gymnasiums, group exercise and wellness classes like Zumba, Yoga, step, cardio kickboxing, mat and pilates classes, group training, personal training and massage. In addition, both JCCs offer various arts, humanities and educational programs for individuals and families, either free or at special member rates.

Joining a JCC means that you’ll be working out and supporting the community at the same time. If I can’t make it to the JCC one week, I consider that week’s dues a donation to an essential Jewish community organization. Your JCC dues fund programs like Jewish summer camps, Meals on Wheels for home bound seniors, inclusion programming for individuals with disabilities, early childhood education, Jewish arts, Israel programming and more.

So here are the deals.

Join the Saint Paul JCC

Join the Saint Paul JCC before January 31, 2010, and they’ll waive the initiation fee. If you stop by for a tour during the month of January, the JCC will give you a free two week pass to use the fitness facilities. Just mention TC Jewfolk.

Membership fees vary, but rates are comparable to other gyms in town, and the JCC staff are sensitive to your individual financial situation. If times are tough and you need a scholarship, let them know. For more information, contact Janet Leavitt, Saint Paul JCC Membership Director, at (651) 255-4754, or email her at membership [at] stpauljcc.org.

Join the Sabes JCC in Minneapolis

Join the Sabes JCC before January 20, 2010, and they’ll waive the initiation fee. In addition, your dues will be just $49 for the first three months of your membership, regardless of your membership type (individual, couple, family, etc). If you join and mention TC Jewfolk you will also get a free one-week pass to the Sabes JCC to give to a friend.

If you’re recently unemployed, check out the “Sabes JCC Whole Health Plan,” a “pay-what-you-can” membership plan. All you have to do is provide proof of recent (w/in three months) unemployment, and you will have full membership privileges for six months, with the opportunity to renew at a scholarship level. Additional scholarships are also available to those employed but budget-sensitive. For more information, contact Liz or Rhonda in the Sabes JCC membership office at 952.381.3414 or membership [at] sabesjcc.org.

Don’t weight (ha ha ha) until it’s too late. See you at the J.

* If you’re reading this somewhere outside of the Twin Cities, visit the JCCs of North America website to find your closest JCC.