Tim and Jody Gross Make Fitness a Joint Effort
Most of us will jump at any excuse to skip a workout. But not Tim and Jody Gross.“We’re religious about it,” says Tim.
The pair met at OMRF in the early 1980s and work together as senior technical specialists in Arthritis and Clinical Immunology. In addition to research and family—they have two children—they also share a commitment to staying in shape by exercising every day in OMRF’s Fitness Center.
Members since the Center opened in 2011, Tim and Jody say having onsite access to cardio and weight machines has made a real difference in their health.
“We have an incredible facility right at our fingertips,” he says. “It’s affordable and convenient.”
Jody started running 40 years ago after seeing a number of relatives develop diabetes. “Everybody on my dad’s side of the family is or was diabetic,” she says. “I knew I needed to fight it, so I started running.”
Meanwhile, as a high school football player, Tim took up lifting weights after his school bought one of Oklahoma’s first Nautilus machines.
Now, he says, “working out at age 67 is a lot harder.” His 50th high school reunion is coming, and 33 classmates have passed away. “I don’t want to join that number any time soon, so it keeps me motivated.”
The duo has had successes (Tim has lost 68 pounds) and setbacks (Jody developed arthritis in her knees). Both say their fitness goals have now shifted toward fighting age.
Jody gave up running because of her knee issues, but the equipment options in the Center give her plenty of other ways to stay in shape. The same goes for Tim: elliptical, rowing and other machines provide a great workout without impacting joints.
“If you read the research we’re doing at OMRF on sarcopenia and osteoporosis,” says Jody, “it makes you want to put in a little
