also works out at Maple-Drake, said she'd
join Franklin if it were more accessible to
her job.
Not that she dislikes the JCC. Ms. Stein-
er has incorporated the new equipment,
particularly the treadmills, into her work-
outs. And, like Ms. Zeltzer, she likes the
aerobics classes.
Dr. Jeff Michaelson of Huntington Woods
joined the JCC about a year ago during a
membership special. He likes the fact that
JPM is so close to home and that he can
work out without tripping over other peo-
ple.
And while he said he isn't crazy about
the early hours on Friday and Saturday —
the clubs shut down at 5 p.m. Friday and
reopen at 1 p.m. Saturday — the 27-year-
old said he knows of 15 to 20 people in his
age group who joined the JCC in the last
year.
Sharon Kirsch, a Huntington Woods
mother of four, calls the JPM JCC a con-
venient, no-frills health club. She's there
on a daily basis; however, when her kids
go, it's not without a lot of kicking and
screaming, she said. `There is nothing else
for them to do but use the pool."
For 12 years she exercised at CMI in
Southfield. When renovations added a
swimming pool and health club to the JPM
building, Mrs. Kirsch became a member.
"I'm here because it's convenient, I'm
supporting the Jewish Center and some of
the aerobic classes are the best around. It's
not dirt-cheap here and sometimes the
showers are gross and there are no towels,
but it serves its purpose."
The JCC does not keep data on the age
of its members, said Mr. Sorkin.
But, "the Center feels very strongly that
we be the center of everyone's lives. We
want the pears and the string beans to
work alongside each other. We have mem-
bers in our community who are rehabili-
tating. We have senior adults who use it as
part of their health routine. But early morn-
ing and after-work hours, we want to at-
tract the younger population," he said.
Membership_at JPM's health club is ap-
proximately 400, which represents an al-
most optimal number for the club.
Maple-Drake's health club membership
is holding steady at about 1,600, Mr. Sorkin
said. General JCC membership, including
health club membership, is just under
10,000. Non-Jewish membership at the
club is difficult to determine, he said.
"People are coming in and looking. We're
(JD
seeing new names beyond Goldberg and
u_I
= Cohen. That's the beginning of it," Mr.
= Sorkin said.
cip
Mr. Sorkin said JCC's goal is to increase
w general membership to between 15,000 and
- 20,000 people. The target for the health
"5 clubs is about 2,500 members between both
buildings. He believes the goal is within
1 ' reach.
"I have a bias, because I think we're
LU
=
1 -- more than competitive," he said. "If you
begin to rack up all the services and fa-
cilities the Center has, nobody can com-
pete with us. El

-
,

48

Schvitzing At Maple-Drake

JULIE EDGAR SENIOR WRITER

I

admit it: As I walked into the JCC in West
Bloomfield, free 2-week health club pass in
hand, I anticipated red tape, indolent employ-
ees, scummy bathrooms and locker rooms and
second-rate workout equipment.
It would have made for better copy if I had.
On the contrary, what I found was an array of
sparkling new equipment, a knowledgeable and
helpful staff and plenty of room to move.

New televisions
complement the
health club.

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 6 p.m.
I filled out my pass, got a padlock from a friend-
ly person behind the desk and got changed. There
were probably three others in the locker room,
which I noted was very clean. I also liked how near
it is to the workout areas, which include a weights
room and a large fitness center. (Note: During the
day, construction workers are passing in and out
of the locker room, retiling the showers and floors.
The sauna, steam room and jacuzzi are out of use
for now. The work should be finished by month's
end.)
Inside the fitness center, about a dozen people
were using the Stairmasters, Trotters, Precor, Nor-
dicTracks and strength machines. I easily found a
Trotter (a treadmill which can be programmed for
inclines and speed) and got started. A guy a few
Trotters down was yelling "Hi, Bernie" at the TV

set, welcoming back sports maven Bernie
Smilovitz.
That done, I wandered over to the Cybex ma-
chines designed to tone and strengthen the leg
muscles. However, if you haven't had much ex-
perience with this equipment, it can be daunting.
I must have looked baffled because James, a staffer
with rippling arms, came over and demonstrated,
without any condescension.
I looked, but couldn't detect, any filth. The car-
pet is to be replaced soon, but even that didn't look
bad.
I finished an hour later, not bothering to show-
er because to do so meant going into the downstairs
locker room which leads to the pool.
All in all, a good workout experience.

Friday, Nov. 29, 4 p.m.
Good. Only 10 or so people working out. Al Pearl-
stein, co-director of the health club, tells me crowds
get bigger right after New Year's, when everybody's
packing extra fat and resolutions. Saturday after-
noons after 2 p.m. and Sunday mornings,
Mr. Pearlstein told me, are "a huge social experi-
ence."
He points out the new equipment — 13 Stair-
masters, 3 Precor EFX 544 machines, 13 Trotters,
a Gravitron and more. The only deficiency is the