By Jordan McGinnis, Personal Trainer and Fitness & Wellness Coordinator, JCC South Hills It’s common nowadays, when I talk to clients, members or just scroll through social media, that I see preaching about Progressive overload. “The only way to get stronger is to progressive overload and add more weight.” Yes, progressive overload is a […]
Personal Best: What is Progressive Overload? Read More »
During the Jewish High Holidays, one of the most powerful and sobering prayers we recite is Un’taneh Tokef. The traditional text reminds us that so much of what will happen in the year ahead is beyond our control. It is a prayer that confronts us with uncertainty and vulnerability. While at Temple Israel in Natick, MA
JCC State of Mind: The Power of Moments September 26, 2025 Read More »
I’m not a dietitian. I’m not a metabolic scientist. I haven’t spent years in a lab, but I have spent years reading, coaching, experimenting, and trying to translate the ever-changing world of nutrition into something that actually makes sense and can make a difference in people’s daily lives. Recently I’ve been reading a ton about
Whole Health Insights: Why Protein is Having a Moment Read More »
This week, I decided to talk about an essential aspect of training called “Transference”. Transference is the degree to which your workouts stimulate adaptations that transfer towards your goals. This is commonly heard in sports training because it is the job of the strength coach to ensure that their gains in the gym are directly
Personal Best: Understanding Transference Read More »
The games are upon us! The JCC Maccabi Campus Games, which are being proudly hosted this year by JCC Pittsburgh in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, have begun. This incredible event brings together Jewish teen athletes from across the country (and beyond!) to compete, connect, and represent their communities. It’s electric. It’s inspiring. And, it
Winners Keep Score—But Not the Way You Think Read More »
2025 JCC Maccabi Campus Games highlight the power of partnership As it appears in the Pittsburgh Business Times Guest Viewpoint By Jason Kunzman, JCC President and CEO, and Kevin Washo, Senior Vice Chancellor, External Relations, University of Pittsburgh Next month, 2,000 Jewish teen athletes representing 51 delegations from around the world will parade onto the
JCC State of Mind: July 25, 2025 – The Power of Partnership Read More »
Learn all about The JCC Maccabi Campus Games 2025 HERE After Iran war forces Maccabiah delay, JCC Maccabi Games welcome teens from US delegation Over 3,000 teens will attend the events in Tucson, Ariz., and Pittsburgh — more than 60% of whom aren’t connected to other Jewish programs or organizations By Jay Deitcher, ejewishphilanthropy.com July
JCC Maccabi Campus Games Pittsburgh 2025: In the News! Read More »
In the first release of the “Learning to Lift” series, we discussed the benefits of resistance training. In the second release, we discussed why exercise is a stress. Today, in the third release, we will be discussing the nuance of training. Training variables! Training variables are aspects of our training which we control and manipulate
Learning to Lift Part 3: Training Variables Read More »
You’ve probably heard the advice: “Get 10,000 steps a day.” And if you’ve ever found yourself pacing your kitchen at 9:48 pm to make that happen, you’re not alone. But here’s the backstory, the 10,000-step goal wasn’t created in a lab or backed by scientific consensus. It was launched in 1965 as a marketing campaign
10,000 Steps a Day—What’s Really Behind That Number? Read More »
This is my favorite time of year—there’s a buzz in the air as parents and kids alike joyfully anticipate the last day of school and that first day of summer camp. There’s a lightness and energy that’s hard to resist! For me, June also marks the return of one of my favorite routines—a weekly visit
Summer Plant Challenge Read More »
I’ve studied leadership and organizational performance and spent years trying to put that knowledge into practice as a leader in health care. Over time, one thing became clear: energy matters. Not just in a “rah-rah team spirit” way, but in a very real and measurable sense. Positive energy fuels performance. Negative energy drains it. Team
Energy Matters: The 3-to-1 Rule Read More »
Exercising isn’t always easy, but that’s the point of it. Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do – for brain health, to help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and all this can improve your ability to do every day activities. Matt Hunter, Personal
You might hate to do these exercises, but you’ll love the results! Read More »
Did you know there are no actual potatoes in Pringles? That’s right—just a mash-up of potato flakes, starch and additives shaped into chips. And Pringles aren’t alone. Next time you pick up a blueberry muffin or a cereal bar with berries, check the ingredients. Many of those “blueberries” are just flavored sugar bits dyed blue.
There Are No Potatoes in Pringles! Read More »
Exciting Renovations at the JCC Squirrel Hill are COMPLETED! Lower Level Fitness Area Transformation – Completed! We have reimagined the lower level to bring you a fresh, functional, and inspiring workout space, featuring: • New equipment including additional squat racks, heavy bags and escape functional training equipment• Turf flooring and new sleds• New layout with
JCC Fitness: Redefined Read More »
The middle of the Passover holiday, referred to as Hol Hamoed, is often a slower time at the JCC. It typically takes place during spring break and many of the young people who I am used to seeing every day for a variety of programs and activities are off with family and friends recharging for
JCC State of Mind: April 18, 2025 – Middle of Passover Hol Hamoed Read More »
What Doesn’t Kill You…Might Actually Make You Healthier (Especially if You Eat It) We’ve all heard the line: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” It’s usually muttered after a tough workout, a rough breakup, or 45 minutes on hold with the cable company. While we recite that phrase without much thought, there’s deep biological
Whole Health Insights: What Doesn’t Kill You…Might Actually Make You Healthier Read More »
Many of you may know me as the resident Wellness Coach at the JCC, serving up recommendations on diet and activity, but I also worked as a leader in Corporate Health & Wellness and was always fascinated by psychology and human performance. I was so curious that I went on to study Leadership & Organizational
Whole Health Insights: Ready for a Mindset Reset? Read More »
The 42nd Award Celebration For information about the 2025 Event or Membership to the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, please contact us at our new email address [email protected] The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 2025 Award Celebration: Sunday May 4, 20254 pm – Rodef Shalom SynagogueFor tickets, click HERE 2025 Inductees Local 2025
Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Western Pennsylvania 2025 Read More »
The South Hills Pool will be closed Monday, August 17 through Saturday, August 29 for annual maintenance and improvements.
We anticipate reopening on Sunday, August 30.