48 Hours With … Jim Jalove

Group Fitness Manager, Equinox Bloomfield Hills
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Equinox
Jim Jalove // Photograph courtesy of Brody Hessin Photography

As a group fitness manager for Equinox Bloomfield Hills, Jim Jalove is responsible for bringing science-based, results-driven classes to the luxury fitness company’s first Michigan club. During his nearly 10-year tenure with Equinox, Jalove has also led classes for the Chicago South Loop and West Hollywood clubs. When the opportunity to open a new market in metro Detroit arose, the Carol Stream, Ill. native, was eager to jump on board. “There’s nothing like a Midwest Equinox,” he says. Since moving to Ferndale last June, Jalove has explored his new surroundings by trying new restaurants, hitting up small shops, and, of course, getting a workout in. Here, he shares his ideal weekend with Hour Detroit.

Early Bird

“On Saturdays, I usually teach classes at Equinox in the morning, so I’m up early. There is nothing like driving into downtown Birmingham and going to that Starbucks Reserve on Old Woodward Avenue. It’s like a watering hole for Birmingham. After I grab a cold brew, I begin my first class at 8 a.m. The best part about my job is getting to establish an Equinox and introducing the brand. You think working out is just waking up and getting sweaty and jumping on a treadmill, but it is so much more. It’s about investing in yourself.”

Out and About

“My last class typically ends at noon. I then come back home to Ferndale, shower, meet my friends for brunch at the Whistle Stop, and then do a little shopping. Up and down Woodward Avenue in the Ferndale, Royal Oak area, there are all these little vintage shops you can walk in. I love the Rust Belt at Woodward Avenue and Nine Mile. That is such a fun place. Boston Tea Room in Ferndale is also a cute little spot for gifts and candles. And Eastern Market in Detroit has been really beneficial to me and my partner. They’ve got fun art shops there, and we’re both big collectors.”

“You think working out is just waking up and getting sweaty and jumping on a treadmill, but it is so much more. It’s about investing in yourself.”
— Jim Jalove

Night on the Town

“If I’m going to Royal Oak, the Morrie is a fun place to start for a drink — it’s always a toss-up between the Fluff Head or Lust for Life cocktails. Then, I’d drive down to Detroit for dinner at The Peterboro and a show at the Fox Theatre. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting, so it’s always great getting back to my roots. Maybe after a show, I’d go to Deluxx Fluxx in The Belt to dance the night away. I do love The Sugar House in Corktown, too, and The Keep in Cadillac Square is great. There are so many amazing restaurants and activities in the city.”

Relax and Restore

“I’m usually not working on Sunday, so the day is sort of special to me. I typically hit up a yoga class at 9 a.m. at the Birmingham Lululemon where we’ve been doing community classes for Equinox. I am also a Lululemon ambassador, so I have to stop in and say ‘hi’ to everybody there. I head to the Mad Hatter for brunch where you can build your own eggs Benedict, it’s delicious, and maybe do some light shopping in the Birmingham area. I’ll come home, then grab dinner at The Corner in Ferndale. They have a game room with about a thousand games to play. I’ve also done axe-throwing at Detroit Axe with the Equinox staff as a team-building activity.”

Left: At press time, the Equinox Bloomfield Hills Club located at 4065 W. Maple Rd. was slated to open in December. // Rendering courtesy of Equinox. Center: A build-your-own eggs benedict at Birmingham’s Mad Hatter is served with a side of redskin potato hash. Right: Trippy, glow-in-the-dark interiors at Deluxx Fluxx, Jalove’s downtown Detroit go-to for a dance party, make for a photo-worthy night out. // Photographs courtesy of Michelle and Chris Gerard