Written by Shlomit Ovadia of JCC Denver
There are some things worth waking up early for. Jessica Pollyea’s Cycle and Barbell class on Tuesday mornings at 6:45 am at JCC Denver’s Aquatics, Fitness and Tennis Center is one of them. Not only is her playlist packed with bangers and fun hit remixes, but the 30-minute split is the perfect blend of cardio and strength training for a guaranteed butt-kicker. “I chose to teach that time slot because I don’t like waking up early,” Jessica starts with after greeting me with a wide grin and plopping herself down casually on a nearby ottoman cushion. I laugh because I think she’s joking, but the mom, graphic artist, and fitness guru is quite serious, adding, “I live 5 minutes away so it’s not that bad.”
Jessica first got hooked on spin during her time in college and has been teaching classes ever since. “Spin comes naturally to me,” Jessica explains. “I find music I like that motivates me, and I really like to push myself.”
It’s also how she met her husband Dan back in 2003, while living in Chicago. He had started taking her spin class, and on Labor Day, was the only student who showed up. So, she suggested they go on a run instead. “He asked me out after that,” Jessica chuckles. Once Dan completed his residency, the couple moved to Denver, drawn by the active lifestyle, and joined JCC Denver shortly after.
Fitness instructor Jessica Pollyea shares a special moment with her son Judah.
“Judy was our membership person when we first signed up,” Jessica recalls. And “pretty much right away we needed a preschool for Levi, because I was pregnant with Zoe.” All three of her children – now 15, 13, and 10 – attended ELS. “I still stay in touch with parents from their classes,” she adds. “And all the kids have had Hadass as a teacher. I still hug her whenever I see her. [My youngest] Judah was in Paula’s class.” The whole family continues to stay involved with the J. “Seeing the same people every day and watching Levi use the gym, and Judah and Zoe use the basketball courts…I like how it’s this whole family experience. Plus, Dan lifts and swims here,” she adds about her husband.
Jessica recently became Body Pump Certified, using the Les Mills-inspired techniques to teach the weight-lifting element of her Tuesday morning class at the J. “I love group exercise classes for their energy, the setting for meeting people, and also watching others progress,” she says, glowing. “I like leading classes and inspiring others.”
But there’s more to Jessica than just fitness. The self-taught graphic designer also creates digital art projects for her family and a few lucky others. And it’s her curious spirit that keeps the whole family coming back to the J, where they have found community, health, and meaningful engagement.
