Take the Plunge into Fitness at Valley of the Sun JCC

Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale Offers Year-Round Aquatic Classes in its Resort-Style, Heated Outdoor Pools

For those who love to exercise, tone up, and burn their calories in the water, there are many different water fitness classes to enjoy year-round at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale. Also referred to as “The J,” the state-of-the-art Martin Pear Aquatics Center at The J is home to one of the most comprehensive, outdoor aquatic facilities in the entire Valley. In addition to the beautiful, heated, 11-lane, 25-yard competition pool, The J also has a fantastic, heated outdoor activity pool where members participate in various water fitness classes.

The popular Aqua Cycle class, for example, gives participants a chance to pedal against the resistance of the water using special “Hydrorider” cycles. The buoyancy of the water provides all the resistance needed to embark on a high-intensity workout without any impact on the joints.

There’s also the Aqua Yoga/Cardio class that is a moderate to low impact pool class with an emphasis on yoga poses and breath work. This class adapts the postures and principles of yoga, including breathing and mindfulness to the aquatic environment. This class is gentle, low impact, relaxing and restorative.

The other water fitness classes include Yoga Deep – a 45-minute deep-water, full-body workout. Participants must be comfortable in deep water. And then there’s the Aqua Tabata class that offers a 45-minute, high-intensity interval training workout in shallow water that improves cardio fitness, endurance, strength, and flexibility. This is a great class for both beginners and advanced participants.

“I started attending the Aqua Cycle classes at The J when the pandemic forced closures and it was one of the only in-person classes being offered,” says Betsy Kaufman. “I was hooked right away. Riding in the class with the very motivating instructors has provided many benefits. I am able to get a whole-body workout with no impact. My regular participation in the Aqua Cycle class over the course of two years has greatly improved my core strength which has made my balance so much better. It’s a great workout, motivating, and the people are the best! I feel energized after each class.”

Everyone is welcome at The J – all backgrounds, faiths, and abilities. The J is located at 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. For more information, call (480) 481-7035 or www.vosjcc.org/aquatics

Photos courtesy of Valley of the Sun JCC.