Fitness Room Opens at Mount Zion Campus

Faculty and staff at Mount Zion seeking a chance to pump up or get their hearts racing during their daily workday can do so now at a new fitness room which opened on Feb. 13. A former doctors' lounge on the basement level of the hospital was converted into the new fitness room to provide the employees with an exercise outlet onsite. The modest-sized room features equipment donated by the Fitness & Recreation Centers at UCSF. These consist of a weight machine, free weights, a treadmill, two exercise bicycles and two elliptical trainers. "Something like this didn't exist before at Mount Zion," said Jeffrey Pearl, MD and Associate Dean. "Our vision was to create a space that would benefit the faculty and staff here. While this is being done on a small scale with little budget, it is a well-intentioned effort. People are already clamoring to join up." Membership will be limited to 200 people initially due to the available pieces of equipment on hand and as a test to ascertain usage. Interested staff is required to pay a nominal fee for access to the fitness room. Individuals with proper identification as UCSF Mount Zion faculty or staff are eligible to join for an annual fee of $50. "It's somewhat no-frills," said Pearl. "Towels and a water cooler are provided, but there are no showers or changing areas available. What we're providing is convenience. From comments already received, people are happy to have available the basic necessities to work out." Interested and eligible personnel can contact Jacob Grantz at 415/885-7217, or email for more information or to sign-up. The fitness room is located at 1600 Divisidero Street, in room A021. Source: Nancy Chan