In the Loup

In the Loup is a bimonthly publication of the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center and the Mizel Arts & Culture Center
350 S. Dahlia St., Denver, CO 80246.

Twentieth Anniversary in the Sports & Fitness Center

Elaine Smith has been teaching the “Lo Impact” class for the past two decades!

This January brings more than a new year to Elaine Smith, it also ushers in her twentieth year of service to the Sports & Fitness Center. That’s right—Elaine has taught the JCC’s Monday/Wednesday/Friday 7–8 a.m. Lo Impact class since 1989! Elaine herself couldn’t have predicted that she’d teach here for so many years, especially since she thought “I would die coming in that early in the morning” during those first few weeks. Luckily for devoted members though, Elaine “fell in love with the class and the time.”

Elaine’s fitness career began at Denver’s Central YMCA in 1982. At the time, her current employer believed that fitness improved the condition of staff, allowing them to become great employees. So, Elaine and her co-workers received paid memberships to the YMCA and were given extra time to workout at lunchtime or after work. After earning her aerobics instructor certification through the Central YMCA, Elaine started to teach at the same facility. Over the years, in addition to taking additional training classes to keep her instruction skills up-todate, Elaine has also become certified in Step, High/Low Impact, Senior Fitness, Sculpt andWater Aerobics classes.

Although some instructors work in the fitness industry fulltime, Elaine’s class has always been a part time position. Elaine, her husband and daughter moved to Colorado in 1974 “to start our lives.” After following up a degree from Mississippi State University with a Masters from Denver Seminary, Elaine handled a series of diverse full time jobs, including writing special education curriculum while it was being introduced into school systems, teaching special education, and being on staff at Exeter Drilling Company.

Since leaving corporate America, Elaine has focused on non-profit work in Colorado, beginning with developing low-income housing for her church.Working with prisoner and youth reentry to society is her current passion. She is co-founder Charity’s HouseMinistry, a 14-year old program, and attends many meetings in regards to prisoner reentry on all levels — city, state and federal, prompting Elaine to often say, “Help us prepare them because they are coming home.” In addition to her social work, Elaine is earning a doctorate from Bakke Graduate University.

During her class at the JCC, Elaine ensures participants use every piece of available equipment in the downstairs studio. Elaine is also known for taking her class upstairs into the gym and even outdoors. Although she prefers step and “TaeBo-robics”moves, Elaine’s class is filled with variety. As she admits, “We love to do several different combinations of different routines.” Set to Motown music, Elaine leads exercisers through aerobics during the first half of class followed by mat work.

Naturally, classmates have become very tight-knit over the years. “We love each other and are very supportive of each other. We share our travel adventures.We mourn with those who have lost loved ones.We celebrate children’s birthdays, bat/bar mitzvahs and graduations. At one time or another, we have just got to get together every month for some type of celebration. This class loves to party!” confesses Elaine.

Elaine also recognizes this special cohesion by acknowledging long-standingmembers. “My hat is off to some classmates who currently can’t attend—Lea, Judith and Clyde — due to recent injuries and maturing. These folks had been attended faithfully before I arrived. I believe this class has been together for over 40 years.”