For some members of UCLA Housing and Hospitality Services, a day of work starts at 8:30 a.m. with a Wooden Center trainer, a set of resistance bands and 15 minutes of stretching exercises.
In the Sunset Village courtyard, fitness instructor Spencer Cohen demonstrates “upright rows,” which work out the back muscles. The employees follow his lead, joking and chatting with each other while raising and lowering the bands.
“It’s going to be OK,” employee George Hairston said to a co-worker with a laugh.
As Cohen takes his subjects through a series of upper and lower body exercises, the participants warm up their muscles ““ and their moods.
The UCLA Recreation FITWELL Program, which operates out of the Wooden Center, works to improve the health and wellness of faculty, students and staff across campus. A year and a half ago, FITWELL began voluntary morning exercise sessions for housing and hospitality workers. The program has grown to include 80-90 participants per day.
With a reported decrease in injury rates and noticeable improvements in overall health, the program may soon expand to other departments, housekeeping training manager Gladys Johnson said.
“The employees have embraced the program,” said Johnson, who originally came up with the idea. “They love it.”
In her 10 years as executive housekeeper, Johnson watched many employees neglect their physical health. Her desire to improve their well-being led her to become the training manager for the Rooms Division.
The position proved to be a springboard for action. Johnson first assessed employee needs and available resources. Then she contacted Elisa Terry, the program director of FITWELL, about a morning employee fitness program.
Terry thought it was a great idea.
“This is a proactive measure to try to keep people healthy (and) to help prevent injuries,” said Terry, who personally works with maintenance staff and guest house employees.
Johnson and Terry collaborated on the details and then started selling the idea to their team members. The highly positive response signaled a green light to roll out the program.
“I think it’s crucial for safety and health,” said Jay Gonzales, the housekeeping supervisor at Sproul Hall. Gonzales participates in the program along with the employees he manages.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that 15 minutes of stretching makes a big difference, Terry said. Workers have reported better mobility and more energy while at work.
“We do a lot of work bending and reaching, using our arms and legs,” Hairston said. “This helps us during the day.”
The stretch bands tone the body, Hairston said, and help with balance and coordination.
“It’s perfect for my physical (fitness),” Rooms Division employee Maria Hernandez said.
All on-campus housing divisions have taken part for a year and a half. As a sign of recent growth, the maintenance staff came on board last month, Johnson said. Other departments have seen the program in action and have expressed interest.
Johnson expects incentives, currently in development, to be introduced to the program in July.
The camaraderie within the group creates a tangibly positive atmosphere. Managers and staff exercise together and form cohesive bonds in the process.
“Everyone has a great sense of humor,” Cohen said. “I love the group setting and positive energy.”
He rotates with fellow trainers Pamela Randolph and David Frederick in working with employees on the Hill.
Johnson has other ideas that she hopes to implement, including nutrition classes for the housekeeping staff and a 10-minute period of the day when employees can tell stories and make each other laugh. She sees personal well-being at the top of the list of priorities.
“We can see a big difference,” Johnson said. “It’s important for (employees) to know that on-campus housing cares about their well-being, not only on the job.”