TOMBALL, Texas – Working in an environment where fitness is promoted on a daily basis is a big reason why Dorease Bruner takes advantage of Lone Star College-Tomball’s Wellness Center, and it is also the reason why, for the fourth consecutive year, the college has been designated a Gold-level recipient of the American Heart Association’s Fit Friendly Worksites recognition.
The AHA recognizes employers as Fit-Friendly Worksites for creating a culture of health in the workplace through progressive leadership and employee wellness initiatives. Bruner, a staff assistant at LSC-Tomball, said she feels so much better when she utilizes LSC-Tomball’s Wellness Center to exercise.
LSC-Tomball employees have a variety of opportunities to practice overall wellness. They can take advantage of walking and exercise programs at the Wellness Center, for example. Additionally, employees are offered free weekly aerobics, Pilates, and yoga classes, a monthly wellness e-newsletter containing guidance for activity and healthy eating, guest speakers to address various health topics, and basic health assessments to monitor their health and the progress of their personal wellness program.
“I walk the track and sometimes after work I attend the aerobics class at 4:30,” Bruner said, before adding, “I’m at my desk for most of the day, so actually moving around just makes you feel like you have so much more energy, and it helps to relieve stress.”
The AHA’s recognition program is designed to be a catalyst for positive change in American business. It designates employers that support the health of their employees and work to create a culture of physical activity and overall wellness in the workplace. Worksites throughout the nation can be part of the initiative by making the health and wellness of their employees a priority.
Jason Brandolini, LSC-Tomball Wellness Center coordinator, said he is extremely proud that the Tomball campus has yet again been recognized for an outstanding Wellness Work Place.
“It affirms the foundation we strive to provide to our faculty and staff, putting their health and wellness first and foremost,” Brandolini said. “Efforts to provide all the options to our faculty and staff and to make their health a priority is our number one priority, and it is nice to be recognized time and time again not only for our work, but the combined effort of everyone on campus who has collaborated in making our campus a standout for wellness.”
After receiving the news that LSC-Tomball has been selected for the fourth year in a row, Bruce D. Zarosky, department chair for LSC-Tomball’s Kinesiology Department, stressed, “We are very proud of this award from the American Heart Association. We work very hard to serve our employees, as well as our students and community, to promote healthy lifestyle choices.”
The Gold-level achievement acknowledges that LSC-Tomball provides employees physical activity support, increased healthy eating options at work, and an overall wellness culture. Requirements for Gold-level achievement are a minimum of 25 employees at the worksite as well as the implementation of at least six pre-determined health and wellness criteria.
Lauren Clyde, a human resources specialist at LSC-Tomball, said having free access to the wellness center, has been a great benefit to her personally over the past three years she has been employed at the college.
“I use the Wellness Center in the morning before work,” Clyde said. “I use it three to four times a week. It helps me feel better. I don’t feel tired during the day when I do workout, and I sleep better. I use the Wellness Center to ensure that I keep up with my health, and the fact that it’s provided to employees for free really benefits us.”
In addition to looking out for employees, the health of the residents of the communities surrounding LSC-Tomball has been important to the college since the inception of the LSC-Tomball Wellness Center. Because of this concern, community members are also invited to take advantage of all the facility has to offer. To learn more about becoming a member, visit http://www.lonestar.edu/fitness-tomball.
Lone Star College-Tomball is located at 35000 Tomball Parkway, at the intersection of SH 249 and Zion Road. For more information about the college, call 281.351.3300 or visit LoneStar.edu/Tomball.