Play and Stay Fit!
There are many ways to work out – and they don’t all require you hitting the fitness floor. Another great way to stay active and earn your MEPs is to play, and there are many ways to play at the J!
Volleyball
We’re serious about volleyball at the J, and we offer many different ways to get in your volleyball matches. You can choose from our upcoming leagues, drop-in play, our volleyball strength and conditioning program and more.
St. Louis Senior Olympics
The St. Louis Senior Olympics are dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of people age 50 and better! The Games encourage participation on a variety of levels. Individual and team sport options available. More than 90 events each year!
Basketball Leagues
We have the most spirited leagues in the area – great for both recreational and competitive players. We have leagues starting soon at both J locations!
Pickleball
Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. We offer drop-in play and an upcoming tournament!
Adult Swim Programs
Aqua Tai Chi, Aqua Fit, swimming boot camps and more! We offer aqua group exercise classes and specialty aquatic fitness programs for those who love to work out in the water.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a non-aggressive, ethical system of self-defense that has become one of the world’s most successful and popular martial arts. Its practitioners enjoy physical and mental discipline, as well as fitness benefits and the ability to defend themselves if necessary. We’re pleased to offer Taekwondo for all ages.
Weekly Health and Fitness Tips
1. Plan healthy meals in advance – Creating a plan for your week helps you limit your impulse buys at the grocery store and helps you stick to your plan (and less likely to eat out at restaurants because you don’t know what to make for dinner).
2. Do your housework – As simple as it sounds, chores can add up to a significant calorie burn. Tasks like sweeping, yard work or cleaning out a closet are all great ways to get a little extra exercise.
3. Try to wake up at the same time every day – Getting your body into a rhythm of getting up and out of bed at the same time every day (weekdays AND weekends) is one of the best things you can do to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Even if you’re staying up to different hours each night, committing to your wake time helps regulate your sleep schedule and helps your body get up and going in the morning.
4. Don’t eat heavy meals before bed – Making your body try to digest a heavy meal makes it harder to relax and harder to sleep. If you’re hungry, you don’t need to skip your snack, just avoid greasy, spicy and sugary foods.
5. Push through discomfort – That doesn’t mean push through pain. The number one rule of working out is to listen to your body, but don’t avoid a workout just because it makes you uncomfortable. Use your Myzone to help you push through plateaus and increase your intensity, and try those new workouts!
6. Replace your nighttime dessert with fruit or cottage cheese – Fruit is sweet, and usually lower in fat and calories than desserts. Cottage cheese contains slow-to-digest proteins that can help your muscles recover from your workouts.
7. Appreciate the beauty around you – Take time to actually focus your attention on the things around you that you enjoy, find beautiful, that calm you, etc. To fully appreciate something, take time to notice the details and reflect on what it is about that specific thing that you enjoy.