Focus on Employees

Comments, Questions and Responses posted to the Chinook building Activity Center bulletin board

Thank you for your comments. Please remember that the Activity Center is not a full-service fitness facility. It is a storage room that has been re-purposed to increase employee access to physical activity. It is not intended to replace full-service gyms or fitness facilities.

Comments as of February 21, 2008

We could use more treadmills
We are limited by budget and space. All budget for equipment has been spent. However, purchase of a treadmill using Healthy Workplace Funding Initiative funds will not be allowed due to space limitations. We must comply with ADA guidelines that require one of each type of equipment be accessible by wheelchair. If you are having trouble using a treadmill during peak hours, perhaps a sign-up sheet would help.

It can be quite difficult getting on treadmill at peak times. How about posting a time limit and perhaps a sign-up sheet (sign up only if you are present for example).

Follow up comments:
Time limit? No Way!
Agree – same with ellipticals
First come first serve seems to be working just fine
Yup!

Ok – there’s some disagreement here. We’ll continue to monitor use and see if a change is needed to allow people access to equipment. Remember that this is a worksite activity center – most people are using equipment on their break or lunch time and probably won’t be on machines longer than ½ an hour. At the same time, if you see someone waiting, be considerate.

No TV Please (x2)
Um.

TV with cable to distract from the workout pain (x2)
Hum.

Need music (x2)
I guess we need more discussion….

Please no music or TV. Wear Ipod or headphones. (x2)
Ditto to above

A fan would be nice
Done

Water fountain in workout room would be great
Originally this space was intended to be a storage area, so it is not plumbed for water. The best we could do was a filtered water system in the bike storage room. Feel free to bring your own water bottle and fill up before your workout.

Hip abduction machine broken – please fix. Thank you.
The machine is working fine. It is a two-in-one machine so sometimes it needs to be adjusted from adduction to abduction and vice versa. If you need instruction on proper use of equipment, please call 206-263-6085.

What about an upright stationary bike for spinning
Our gym consultant advised against upright bikes given the demographics of our population (age, health etc). Upright bikes can more easily cause joint and other damage than a recumbent.

Add back machine
Several existing machines are designed to work the back. Check the graphic posted on the Cybex machines to see which muscle groups the machine is designed to work.

Rowing machine
I’m guessing you want a rowing machine? A rowing machine will not be allowed for purchase for 2 reasons: 1) space limitations (see above) and 2) liability. Rowing machines are easily mis-used by those unfamiliar with proper technique. For this reason, King County has been advised to not purchase these machines.

Would be nice to have machines that emphasize abdominal strength
Our gym consultant recommended against ab machines because they are not shown to be more effective than ball or floor exercises and have more potential for lower back injury.

Assisted pull up machine
Cybex machines can be used to work the same muscle groups.

Free weights
Free weights are not allowed for purchase. They are a risk liability. Yes, King Street has them. Free weights have not been approved for purchase since 2006. King Street’s were purchased prior to that. All employees have access to King Street. Visit http://dot.metrokc.gov/kingstreet/exercise.stm for info.

Dumbbells
Dumbbells up to 10 pounds have been provided. Weights above that are not allowed for purchase.

Bench
A weight bench is not necessary equipment when there are no free weights or weight bars. Fitballs can be used for other seated exercises.

How about installing some ballet bars on non-mirrored walls in the group exercise room for doing leg exercises
Interesting idea. We can see if this would be an approvable purchase for Healthy Workplace Funding Initiative funds.

Where is scale?
A scale has not been purchased for this area because 1) use of a scale has not been shown to increase physical activity (Move More) or encourage good nutrition behavior (Eat Smart). The Activity Center was developed to increase access to physical activity. 2) a proper scale (think doctor’s office model) needs to be regularly calibrated and we don’t have the resources to support that.

Extend hours for those of us working nights and weekends
The hours of the King County Chinook building Activity Center are 5:30 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, closed on county-observed holidays.

The current hours were set by facilities and security based on what they felt they could support taking the following into consideration:

Shift work. Recognizing that the county has employees in the Chinook and surrounding buildings working shift hours, the HRI team discussed hours with some employees. Every attempt was made to set facility hours so that all employees had access either before or after their shift work, at least 3 days a week.

Recommendation from PAO’s office, Risk Management and Safety and Claims that employees be directed to not use the facility alone. 24 hour use would increase the probability that employees used the facility alone.

Operation costs. The Activity Center was originally designed to be a storage room, with no operating costs. All HVAC, lighting and security costs for the Activity Center are additional costs. The building is provided with lighting and HVAC support from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Any tenants who require additional hours of support must arrange for this through Building Services and pay an additional per hour fee for after hours HVAC charges.

Access to equipment in surrounding buildings. The jail has many shift work employees. However, these employees have access to exercise equipment including cardio and strength machines in their own building.

Security. The bike storage room is monitored at each entrance with a 24/7 security camera. All Chinook building entrances to lobbies and from stairwells are also monitored by security camera. The Activity Center has no camera either onsite or pointed at the access door. Because this is an isolated room, unlike open workspaces, with no regular foot traffic, a hazardous situation could take hours to discover.

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Comments as of February 21, 2008 We could use more treadmills We are limited by budget and space. All budget for equipment has been spent. However, purchase of a treadmill using Healthy Workplace Funding Initiative funds will not be allowed due to space limitations. We must comply with ADA guidelines that require one of each type of equipment be accessible by wheelchair. If you are having trouble using a treadmill during peak hours, perhaps a sign-up sheet would help. It can be quite difficult getting on treadmill at peak times. How about posting a time limit and perhaps a sign-up sheet (sign up only if you are present for example). Follow up comments: Time limit? No Way! Agree – same with ellipticals First come first serve seems to be working just fine Yup! Ok – there’s some disagreement here. We’ll continue to monitor use and see if a change is needed to allow people access to equipment. Remember that this is a worksite activity center – most people are using equipment on their break or lunch time and probably won’t be on machines longer than ½ an hour. At the same time, if you see someone waiting, be considerate. No TV Please (x2) Um. TV with cable to distract from the workout pain (x2) Hum. Need music (x2) I guess we need more discussion…. Please no music or TV. Wear Ipod or headphones. (x2) Ditto to above A fan would be nice Done Water fountain in workout room would be great Originally this space was intended to be a storage area, so it is not plumbed for water. The best we could do was a filtered water system in the bike storage room. Feel free to bring your own water bottle and fill up before your workout. Hip abduction machine broken – please fix. Thank you. The machine is working fine. It is a two-in-one machine so sometimes it needs to be adjusted from adduction to abduction and vice versa. If you need instruction on proper use of equipment, please call 206-263-6085. What about an upright stationary bike for spinning Our gym consultant advised against upright bikes given the demographics of our population (age, health etc). Upright bikes can more easily cause joint and other damage than a recumbent. Add back machine Several existing machines are designed to work the back. Check the graphic posted on the Cybex machines to see which muscle groups the machine is designed to work. Rowing machine I’m guessing you want a rowing machine? A rowing machine will not be allowed for purchase for 2 reasons: 1) space limitations (see above) and 2) liability. Rowing machines are easily mis-used by those unfamiliar with proper technique. For this reason, King County has been advised to not purchase these machines. Would be nice to have machines that emphasize abdominal strength Our gym consultant recommended against ab machines because they are not shown to be more effective than ball or floor exercises and have more potential for lower back injury. Assisted pull up machine Cybex machines can be used to work the same muscle groups. Free weights Free weights are not allowed for purchase. They are a risk liability. Yes, King Street has them. Free weights have not been approved for purchase since 2006. King Street’s were purchased prior to that. All employees have access to King Street. Visit http://dot.metrokc.gov/kingstreet/exercise.stm for info. Dumbbells Dumbbells up to 10 pounds have been provided. Weights above that are not allowed for purchase. Bench A weight bench is not necessary equipment when there are no free weights or weight bars. Fitballs can be used for other seated exercises. How about installing some ballet bars on non-mirrored walls in the group exercise room for doing leg exercises Interesting idea. We can see if this would be an approvable purchase for Healthy Workplace Funding Initiative funds. Where is scale? A scale has not been purchased for this area because 1) use of a scale has not been shown to increase physical activity (Move More) or encourage good nutrition behavior (Eat Smart). The Activity Center was developed to increase access to physical activity. 2) a proper scale (think doctor’s office model) needs to be regularly calibrated and we don’t have the resources to support that. Extend hours for those of us working nights and weekends The hours of the King County Chinook building Activity Center are 5:30 am to 8 pm, Monday through Friday, closed on county-observed holidays. The current hours were set by facilities and security based on what they felt they could support taking the following into consideration: Shift work. Recognizing that the county has employees in the Chinook and surrounding buildings working shift hours, the HRI team discussed hours with some employees. Every attempt was made to set facility hours so that all employees had access either before or after their shift work, at least 3 days a week. Recommendation from PAO’s office, Risk Management and Safety and Claims that employees be directed to not use the facility alone. 24 hour use would increase the probability that employees used the facility alone. Operation costs. The Activity Center was originally designed to be a storage room, with no operating costs. All HVAC, lighting and security costs for the Activity Center are additional costs. The building is provided with lighting and HVAC support from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Any tenants who require additional hours of support must arrange for this through Building Services and pay an additional per hour fee for after hours HVAC charges. Access to equipment in surrounding buildings. The jail has many shift work employees. However, these employees have access to exercise equipment including cardio and strength machines in their own building. Security. The bike storage room is monitored at each entrance with a 24/7 security camera. All Chinook building entrances to lobbies and from stairwells are also monitored by security camera. The Activity Center has no camera either onsite or pointed at the access door. Because this is an isolated room, unlike open workspaces, with no regular foot traffic, a hazardous situation could take hours to discover.
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	Updated: April 21, 2008