Fitness center a popular benefit By Josh Nathan. Corporate Communications

Guaranty National's move to the new build­ing has added one more item to the list of employee benefits - the fitness center. It's a new perk that employees are using more and more.

Open from 6 a .m to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, the center is equipped with three treadmills, four Lifecycles, four Stairmasters, a Nordic Track, a weight machine, and a rowing machine.

"It's a wonderful addition," says Lana Pierce, manager of technical services, CIS. "It's a nice benefit and (the exercise) probably helps reduce medi­cal claims." How to use the center

If you haven't used the fitness center yet, here's how to get started. There's no charge, but you must go through an orientation to learn how to operate the equip­ment. Orientation is held every month by Fitness on Wheels, a mobile gym service. You must register on sign-up sheets posted on the bulletin board in the Atrium a week before each session. Additionally, signature of a liability waiver, which can be obtained from Fitness on Wheels, is required.

To enter the facility, you need an access card. Once you sign the waiver, your building access card will be modified to allow you to use it to get into the center. Outdoor running/walking facilities an added benefit

An added fitness benefit provided by the new location is the opportunity for outdoor running and walking. Employees can follow Meridian Boulevard, which makes a 2.2 mile loop of the business park, or for a lesser workout, Guaranty National has established a half-mile walking path around the building. A good beginning place is at the entrance to the parking lot. Shower, locker facilities

For the benefit of every exerciser, men's and

women's locker rooms are located off the restrooms next to the center. There are 25 lockers and four showers per locker room. The policy is that lockers can be used with a lock during the course of exercise; however, they must be cleaned out and the lock removed after exercise.

Some users would like to see permanent locker assignments, but Dan Haug, vice president, Planning and Administration, says there are no immediate plans for a change because the company wants everyone to be able to use the facilities. Exercisers speak out

Employees already into the exercise mode,

can't say enough about the new fitness cen­ter.

Kathy Pope, systems/benefits administrator, Human Resources, thinks it's "superb. It's a wonderful facility and I'm glad we have it."

Ellen Lobato, benefits administrator, Human Resources, is saving $69 a month because she was able to drop her membership at a local sporting club, and she couldn't be happier.

Wendy Deimling, regional service office manager, Personal Lines, doesn't have time to exercise after work with two kids. Now she exercises at lunch and feels better than ever. "It gives me time to do something for myself without cutting into the kids' time, and at 3:00, that typical burn-out time, I feel re-energized."

Lynn Swanson, data base administrator, CIS, runs outdoors and he's pleased with the facilities. "I like that they're here. I like the price. I like the availability," he says. 'Tm thankful that the company put them here."

September 1994