By Sarah Tobis, SJCC

Special to the Reporter

The Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC) hosts Tween Fitness classes for kids ages 9-13 on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The classes are free for  SJCC member and $5 for guests.

Tween Fitness is for kids who want to be active. Kids will learn to use bands, balls and their own body weight to work on cardiovascular and weight training as well as balance, stability, and stretching. This class is appropriate for all levels so preteens learn the skills to work out safer and more efficiently, empowering them to want to exercise on their own.

Once a week, Jared and Sabrina practice burpees, planks, squats and forward rolls as part of the J’s tween fitness class, led by fitness instructor and personal trainer Neil Comisioneru.

At 12 and 10, Jared and Sabrina enjoy passing the time after school with kids their age – especially when it doesn’t involve homework.

“My brother said this class was really cool, so I decided to come too,” Sabrina said.

For Neil, the cool factor centers on creating a fun and engaging environment, with the ultimate goal of promoting a lifelong love of wellness and physical activity at an early age – particularly amongst a generation surrounded by shiny, flashy gadgets and other technology that hinder physical movement.

“I really try to just connect with them,” he said.

At 29, with a purple belt in martial arts and a superhero build, Neil makes for a good role model.

This week’s focus is core stability. Throughout the class, Neil frequently reviews techniques, posing clarifying questions to get a pulse on the kids’ understanding of the squat and plank patterns.

“It gives them an opportunity to learn the mechanics, and also learn how to properly use the equipment so they can work out safer and more efficiently,” Neil said.

“Do you know what we look like doing pushups?” asks Jared.

“What?” Neil responds.

“Like ironing boards,” Jared replies, while chuckling.

Find out about more programs at sjcc.org.