Here are the “Take-Aways” from our amazing December session.

Education led by Callie Smith, Health and Wellness Director, Jewish Education Alliance, Savannah GA
1/ Knowing Your “Why”
– Why do you do this job – Why are you passionate about it?
– Why do your members come to your JCC?
2/ Having a ‘Wellbeing Strategy’ and making sure leadership is in alignment with goals and solutions to issues, both for current and future timeframes.
3/ Have “Osteo Programs…. such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis and osteopenia
4/ Consistent Surveys for feedback (programs and general membership satisfaction)
– MXM – JCC Preferred Affiliate partner (Jason Abucejo – jason@mxmetrics.com)
– Listen 360 (Lynee/Justin at Baltimore use)
– Andrew Klock, Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia, andrew.klock@thej.org
sample form he has developed. contact him for assistance if needed. https://forms.office.com/r/39DwT0NdKv

Group Input on Topics and Speakers for 2025
1/ Programming
2/ New trends
3/ Leadership Development
4/ Membership Marketing Ideas

I’m here to serve you so call or email me with any questions or comments!

Next Session: Thursday, January 23, 3-4 pm EST
Special Guest Educator, Valerie Krossin, Theralight
Valerie is an expert on the science and benefits behind red light therapy. You won’t want to miss this session!

Speakers:

Justin Dominick, Sr. Director of Fitness, JCC of Greater Baltimore
Highlights of 2023 Medical Fitness Association / Athletic Business Conference
– Healthcare Partnerships are becoming more prevalent. Community based health promotion programming.
– Artificial Intelligence (AI) working its way into fitness industry (scaling new member integration, member feedback reply)
– Medical Wellness using on-site physicians and telemed has become a significant topic of conversation.
– Commercial club leaders have entered space…LifeTime and Equinox: so it is expected many more will follow in 2024.
– FG comment: for use of GLP1-agonist, it is recommended these programs be under the care of a physician, max 6 months on medication and with the support of CPT and nutritionist / dietician to facilitate behavioral and lifestyle change. HRT and peptides to follow regular physician protocol.

Kevin Bryant, Meditouch USA
Education on importance of balance training and the hazard of falling
– fast twitch muscles facilitate walking and they begin to atrophy 40+
– 1/3 people fall
– 21% die within a year
– 50% of those 65+ that fall die in 6 months
Key to develop programs to assist in balance, especially 50+ members
Programs for Stroke, parkinsons, cancer, total joint replacement, nerve damage

Employee recognition idea exchange

Callie – Staff spotlight – use social to recognize employee, staff member to write a bio that is shared.
Mike – at staff meetings, perks and giveaways like skully hat
Elise – If receive positive feedback, go in front of class to acknowledge
Shining Star – management team select monthly winner – prize given
I Gotcha – recognize staff as they do a job well done.

Miscellaneous Items

JCC Annual Health and Wellness Conference
Held in conjunction with Medical Fitness Association and Athletic Business
November 19-22
New Orleans

Next call Thursday, 3/28 @ 3 pm EST

Trend
Medical weight loss
Presentation by: Dave Appel, Chief Health Officer, KORB Health
dave.appel@korbhealth.com
GLP1 agonist. The impact this pharma is having in the fitness industry. How to safely and effectively start a telemed program at your J. Profitable with no startup costs. Other telemed programs available such as peptides, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), sexual health, sleep and stress management.

Education
Train and develop your staff
Presentation by: Karen Perlmutter, Club Connect
karern.perlmutter@nasm.org
Invest in training your staff. Make sure front desk staff make the member experience personal and energetic.
Club Connect is a great tool to train and track personal trainers. Free CPR and Knowledge Network

Program Exchange (contact your peer for details)
1. Summer Shred. 90 day challenger (March-May). Set goal. Meet weekly.
2. Train for 5K or 10K
3. Indoor Bi-athilon
4. Reps for dollars – charity event
5. “Orange” ya glad you worked out today. Bowl of oranges
6. Teen Fitness cert to prepare for summer
7. Taste of Group Exercise – Saturday. 20 minute trial of several classes back-to-back
8. Leap into laps. Aquatics
9. February Group Ex – wear red for National Heart Month.
10. Nutritional Challenge. 6 weeks, set goal.
11. Murph in May

As we close out the year and start 2024, as club owners, managers and fitness professionals, we must always remember that we serve as a role model for our staff and members. I’m constantly reminded that my personal commitment to my health journey is not only a vital part of my physical and mental wellbeing, but I must be an example for those that I lead. I celebrated my 60th birthday in 2023 and have never felt better. While I don’t agree that “age is just a number,” it is possible to improve your health, physique and overall wellness as you age.

One of my favorite topics to discuss is the importance of a strong core. As the saying goes, “abs are made in the kitchen.” But, are they really? As a NASM-certified nutrition coach and 5-time Texas State Classic Physique bodybuilding champion, I’ll tell you my coaching advice and how I recommend you obtain and maintain a strong core. I’ve coached many 40+ year-old men and women develop a strong core, lean out, and if they are determined enough, uncover their abs. Anyone can do it, and it can be done at any age.

Consistency: Discipline to be consistent is perhaps the most important thing anyone can do to improve and maintain their health, fitness and physique. I recommend you set a goal that is compelling so that you’re motivated and inspired to be consistent. Perhaps you want to run a 5K, compete in a Spartan Race, look amazing for an event like a wedding or even compete in a bodybuilding competition. Having a goal that will keep you focused and motivated will influence your approach and assist you in being consistent.

They were there all along, begging to be let out: Assuming you exercise regularly, you’re almost always using your core to stabilize your body. Your abdominals are constantly getting used and tested. What I’ve learned is that by consistently doing ab exercises, you will not magically begin to see an outline of your abs. If they are covered by a layer of fat, they may be there, you just can’t see them. As a matter of fact, I only do core specific exercises as I get close to a competition. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t do core exercises. You most certainly should to maintain and/or improve your core strength. Core exercises also help prevent injuries and is vital for movement and functionality. But, to get a defined core, the first thing you have to do is get the body fat off your belly.

Meal Preparation: The first thing I always recommend to everyone is to do meal preparation weekly for the upcoming week. I do mine every Sunday evening. We work hard, long hours, and it’s far too easy to miss a meal or eat poorly. By doing meal prep, this will ensure that you have a predetermined meal portion size, defined macro count (proteins, fats, carbs), and the food you’re consuming is meeting your nutritional requirements. One of the most important things you need to do is eliminate, or at least minimize, wasted calories. That would be those calories that really don’t provide any nutritional value. The five items I always suggest you watch closely are fried foods, alcohol, sweets, bread and junk food like chips.

Deficit: The math is simple, take in fewer calories than you expend, and you go into a deficit. By minimizing the amount of fat intake that you put into your body, your body will begin to attack your stored fat. Excessive carbohydrates will convert into fat if unused as an energy source, but they are not the enemy. Carbs are actually a vital part of your nutrition, but they need to be properly regulated when you’re trying to lean out. Regular strength and cardiovascular exercise (a minimum of three times a week) will increase your caloric expenditure and assist in putting you into a deficit. It’s okay to “wander” periodically and eat foods that are not necessarily a part of a strict diet. So, pizza or a burger and fries are all fine to eat but just not regularly. This can refeed your body and replace missing glycogen, fats and carbohydrates that your body is craving. But, at the end of the day, consistently eating a well-balanced diet and doing regular exercise is the key.

It’s a lifestyle: Leaning out doesn’t happen overnight. It should be done slowly and safely. Making sure your caloric intake is modestly lower than your total caloric expenditure will get you to your goal. It may take you three months, six months or even longer. But, once you achieve the results you’re seeking, then it’s all about maintenance. Can you shred off that unwanted fat and maintain a strong, defined core? Yes, you can but it has to become a lifestyle.

• • •

Eating a proper diet and then regularly doing both strength and cardio exercise is the healthiest way to get there. We all know that. But, we must have the motivation, discipline and purpose in order to meet our goals and then maintain our health and wellbeing.

11th Membership, 3-4 pm EST
18th Fitness and Wellness, 3-4 pm EST

February
1st Sports and Recreation, 3-4 pm EST
8th Membership, 3-4 pm EST
15th Fitness and Wellness, 3-4 pm EST

March
7th All Team Call, 3-4 pm EST

April
4th Sports and Recreation, 3-4 pm EST
11th Membership, 3-4 pm EST
18th Fitness and Wellness, 3-4 pm EST

May
2nd Sports and Recreation, 3-4 pm EST
9th Membership, 3-4 pm EST
16th Fitness and Wellness, 3-4 pm EST

June
6th All Team Call, 3-4 pm EST

July
11th Sports and Recreation, 3-4 pm EST
18th Membership, 3-4 pm EST
25th Fitness and Wellness, 3-4 pm EST

August
1st Sports and Recreation, 3-4 pm EST
8th Membership, 3-4 pm EST
15th Fitness and Wellness, 3-4 pm EST

September
12th All Team Call, 3-4 pm EST

October
3rd Sports and Recreation, 3-4 pm EST
10th Membership, 3-4 pm EST
17th Fitness and Wellness, 3-4 pm EST

November
Annual Conference 20-23rd, New Orleans

December
12th All Team Call, 3-4 pm EST

Education: usually have one of the team members go over their specialty and the rest of the
team will duplicate the movements. The goal is for the team to learn the why, who, when and
how to prescribe these movements for clients.

Housekeeping:
– Improvement on various items
o New member calls
o Closing fitness consultations
o Ensuring cleaning procedures are followed for the fitness center
o Expectations regarding upkeep of the fitness center

Updates from previous meeting/interdepartmental updates
What does the team need to improve on their job?

What are we hearing from the members good/bad?
What is the next program or contest we want to run?
Team building event for the month/quarter? (Examples – escape room, bowling, bite to eat)

To view the campaign, click on this link.

Fitness & Wellness

My name is Frank Guengerich and I’m the President and CEO of HWLS. I’m excited to meet each you personally and want to get to know you and your operation. Please always feel free to contact me directly at frank@hwlservices.com.

The purpose of the Forum is to facilitate the exchange of best practices and for you to ask questions and get answers from your peers.

The more you participate, the more valuable this resource will be. I’ll facilitate the Forum and frequently ask questions myself and post items for you to consider.

If you ever have a question you would like feedback on from the HWLS community, just post it here. Our team of experts and member base will weigh in!

Thank you again for joining the Network!

My name is Frank Guengerich and I’m the President and CEO of HWLS. I’m excited to meet each you personally and want to get to know you and your operation. Please always feel free to contact me directly at frank@hwlservices.com.

The purpose of the Forum is to facilitate the exchange of best practices and for you to ask questions and get answers from your peers.

The more you participate, the more valuable this resource will be. I’ll facilitate the Forum and frequently ask questions myself and post items for you to consider.

If you ever have a question you would like feedback on from the HWLS community, just post it here. Our team of experts and member base will weigh in!

Thank you again for joining the Network!

My name is Frank Guengerich and I’m the President and CEO of HWLS. I’m excited to meet each you personally and want to get to know you and your operation. Please always feel free to contact me directly at frank@hwlservices.com.

The purpose of the Forum is to facilitate the exchange of best practices and for you to ask questions and get answers from your peers.

The more you participate, the more valuable this resource will be. I’ll facilitate the Forum and frequently ask questions myself and post items for you to consider.

If you ever have a question you would like feedback on from the HWLS community, just post it here. Our team of experts and member base will weigh in!

Thank you again for joining the Network!