Adaptive Fitness Sets Up Healthy Habits, Strength and New Relationships
One of the values we hold strongly is the power of adaptive fitness. Every
person who walks into our fitness center deserves the opportunity to move, grow, and succeed—no matter their ability level. Adaptive fitness allows us to meet members exactly where they are and support their goals with individualized, inclusive, and empowering approaches.
Through our Fitness Center, I’ve been fortunate to build very special relationships with two members (and roommates), Justin and Jared. I met Justin eight years ago, and we began training together four years ago at the suggestion of his mother, who saw that we had established a strong friendship. From the start, Justin was very disciplined and consistently wanted to come to the JCC to exercise. He was even inspired to stop drinking Diet Coke!
Two years later, when Jared and Justin began sharing a MAKOM apartment – and their moms began talking about the benefits of their sons spending time together at the JCC – all three of us began training regularly. Working together, I’ve earned their trust – always explaining why a
variety of exercises will help them be healthy and encouraging them to try unfamiliar fitness equipment. Now, they’re almost self-sufficient on most of our circuit machines.
Each day, Justin and Jared remind me – and all of us – what resilience, dedication, and joy in movement truly look like. Their progress and presence inspire our entire community, and they personify why the JCC has prioritized the expansion of our adaptive fitness offerings.
In fact, I am excited to share that we will soon be enhancing our training space with new adaptive and inclusive equipment, including a ski machine and a rowing machine, to better support members of all abilities. This equipment – with adjustable and removable seats, as well as upper body ergometers (hand cycles) – will allow members in wheelchairs and walkers, and
their support staff, to move freely and maximize their workout in our space. In addition, we are continually investing in recumbent equipment with accessible transfer heights; weighted balls, tubing, and dumbbells in various sizes and textures; and adaptive fitness classes to meet every
athlete’s needs.
When we invest in our adaptive exercise programs, we’re also sending a strong message to our community: Our health and fitness center is a welcoming and accessible space where everyone can be seen and known – and thrive.
