JCC Squirrel Hill (Pittsburgh, Oakland: school, price, buses)

[EveKendall]

I have ben a member for almost four years and I swim there regularly. I go at all different times and the pool is often full, meaning you have to share a lane. There has only been once or twice that I couldn't get a lane at all.
It is a very nice gym. I have to say I do not see many college-aged people there but maybe they aren't on my radar screen as I am almost 40 (I also don't take many classes anymore, I just swim and use the workout equipment). There is a wide range of ages that go there, and I like that there are a lot of older people--I find it encouraging that men and women are still so active in their 70's and 80's. One woman who walks on the treadmill almost every day told me she is 87, and she looks about 65.
They are strict about enforcing rules, like you cannot talk on your cell phone in the gym. Thsi is a big plus as far as I am concerned.
It is a great and affordable gym if you just want to work out, but if you are looking to expand your social group through the JCC I am not sure how successful you will be.

[ctkalino]

My family and I belong to the JCC (mid-late 30s, with two small kids). We are not Jewish and were surprised/happy to find out that the clientele is very diverse in terms of age, religion, and even race/ethnicity. My husband and I both use the gym there and it seems like the crowd is much older in the mornings and very young in the late afternoons and evenings. As others have said, the equipment and facilites are very nice and well-maintained. We used to belong to Urban Active and I prefer the JCC - the noise from that darn spinning room at Urban Active was unbelievable and many of the machines were not fully functional there. And while there are definitely more young professionals at Urban Active, they are definitely present at the JCC too. And for families, it's a great bargain for all that you get.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

The JCC is a great place and if I was living close to it, I would probably join.

Maybe your Chabad will open one.

[johnallen4312]

Are the general yoga classes offered at the JCC free of additional charge?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by johnallen4312

Are the general yoga classes offered at the JCC free of additional charge?

The website says classes are free for Centerfit Platinum members.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Maybe your Chabad will open one.

I have the sad feeling I'm the only one who will appreciate this.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

I have the sad feeling I'm the only one who will appreciate this.

I thought it was rude. Like we have to be Jewish to enjoy the JCC. Oh, well. Whatever.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I thought it was rude. Like we have to be Jewish to enjoy the JCC. Oh, well. Whatever.

I know Jay; it was a delightfully snarky comment referring to Curt's past showings of a lack of Jewish awareness, not a snipe at the Goyim. Jay isn't even Jewish, though he is quite the Semitophile.

And JCCs tend to be mixed across the country. At the one I went to growing up in the Western Philadelphia suburbs, there was a pretty even Jew-Gentile split and everybody got along just swimmingly.

[eccotecc]

I've been out of Pittsburgh for a few years. When I was in my teens I belonged to the YM&WHA in Oakland. It was a wonderful and enjoyable facility. I used to swim there and play handball. Is it still open? It might be an alternative to the JCC for college students.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I thought it was rude. Like we have to be Jewish to enjoy the JCC. Oh, well. Whatever.

Hopes, Alex has explained my post beautifully:

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

I know Jay; it was a delightfully snarky comment referring to Curt's past showings of a lack of Jewish awareness, not a snipe at the Goyim. Jay isn't even Jewish, though he is quite the Semitophile.

"Semitophile." Again, such a way with words, Alex.