Working out at the White House

America's capital is now filled with body building bureaucrats. Mike James reports from Washington.

In Washington, D.C., while the eyes and ears of the world wait for decisions from powerful places, chances are the decision makers will be doing a lot of sweating and straining. But not necessarily from the pressure of long hours and stressful dilemmas.

At places like the FBI, the Pentagon, the International Monetary Fund and the most famous building of all, the White House, the sweating will be taking place in aerobics classes and the straining will be the pumping of iron in one of the many on-site fitness programs sponsored by D.C. government employers.

The halls of power in Washington, D.C. are now trying to promote a new image for their bureaucrats. No longer does the term government worker' imply bookish, bespectacled types indulging in long lunches, out-dated work practices and a never ending spiral of red tape. Today the only red tape many Washington bureaucrats want to see is at the finish line of a fun run or an end of season softball pennant.

PRESIDENT ON THE RUN

Even on the coldest autumn or winter morning you will see many dedicated joggers and runners pounding or plodding their way around the beautiful parks surrounding the Lincoln memorial and the Washington monument. Often, one of these joggers (definitely a plodder) is President Clinton surrounded by his entourage of body-guards, security force and ever-present television crew. If you're lucky he may even give you a wave.

If you are a public servant who doesn't like to brave the cold Washington winters or the extremely humid summers, your fitness program doesn't have to suffer. For a modest monthly or yearly subscription you can stay inside and use one of the cosy, or air conditioned, well fitted out fitness facilities provided by your department (and funded largely by your and other members' contributions).

If you work at the FBI you can shoot a few baskets' on the fullsized basketball court adjacent to the fully equipped gymnasium. Pentagon personnel can take a dip in the olympic-sized pool or a relaxing sauna or steam bath. If you are employed at the International Monetary Fund you may choose to work out on stationary aerobicycles or on Cybex equipment while watching the CNN news on one of the overhead televisions.

These facilities are usually conducted under the auspices of an internal health services or medical department. They are seen as an integral part of a wellness program which includes advice on nutrition, first aid, AIDS awareness and a whole range of healthy lifestyle issues. The staff canteen often helps promote nutritional awareness with healthy choice food selections and recipes of the month. Staff bulletin boards promote the various activities with posters and information brochures.

While many of these centres are found in bright, spacious areas with pro shops and juice bars, unluckily for some employees not all government departments offer extensive facilities. The Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service simply provide small rooms with some free weights and a few bikes and treadmills.

WHITE HOUSE ATHLETIC CENTRE

White House staff are offered membership at the White House Athletic Centre situated in the new executive office building. Membership is restricted to Secret Service and other White House workers. Here the emphasis is on free weights and Cybex strength training equipment. Presumably the U.S. government wants 'the long arm of the law' to be. a strong and muscular arm too.

Even though President Clinton has his own exercise equipment in the residential section of the White House, he has been known to make the occasional visit to the centre. When Mr. Clinton isn't able to run he often uses a stairmaster. Mrs. Clinton prefers to work out in the privacy of her own gym which includes a treadmill, total hip machine and free weights . The nation's leaders senators and members of congress work out in their own facility on Capitol Hill.

WORLD BANK VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

One of the most elaborative and innovative in-house fitness programs is administered by the World Bank. For a modest monthly fee of $10, employees can use two large airy and attractive exercise areas with lifecycles, treadmills, rowers, Nordic Tracs, free weights and the latest strength training equipment.

The most interesting feature of the World Bank facility is its aerobics program. There are three aerobics studios which offer sixty classes per week including step, slide and boxacise. A local fitness consultancy is employed to regularly train and certify staff members to teach classes. These volunteers receive monthly education updates and skill evaluations. The use of staff volunteers enables the bank to offer an extensive aerobics timetable at a reduced cost. The program has been a great success and now boasts over 3000 members.

There are also benefits for employee morale. The volunteers feel part of a worthwhile team. They profit personally by keeping fit and improving their self confidence. They also feel good about helping to motivate other World Bank employees to exercise regularly, and being an integral part of the pro-gram's success.

The World Bank centre is a very impressive facility. The well lit reception and equipment rooms create a cheerful ambience while contrasting dark blue and brown carpets help provide a more subtle and subdued atmosphere which is in keeping with the multi-cultural, conservative nature of the institution.

Unlike commercial clubs which often market themselves as 'the singles clubs of the 90s', the emphasis is on fitness for all age groups. Rather than have the walls adorned with posters of Schwarzeneger and Elle Mcpherson clones, there are photos of members working out. This place is not just for the young and body beautiful. It is for everybody.

This also applies to the aerobics schedule. The World Bank employs people from 128 countries. To cater for the different cultures there are Latin aerobics, funk and African rhythm classes. Jazz ballet, mambo and country line dancing are also held at various times throughout the year.

STRENGTH TRAINING INCREASES BUREAUCRATIC MUSCLE

With recent research highlighting the benefits of strength training for all ages, most facilities have included free top-of-the-range strength training equipment. Previously shunned as solely the domain of the mirror watching body builder, strength training has become part of the regular exercise regime for everyone from bus boys to Capital Hill bureaucrats. Government workers now increase their strength by lifting weights rather than beer and wine glasses. The traditional liquid lunch and after work cocktail is a thing of the past for many body building bureaucrats.

Recent advances in equipment design from manufacturers like Cybex, Bodymasters and Nautilus have made strength training more appealing. User friendly, pin loaded machines for separate muscle groups are suitable for both the beginner and advanced trainer. And with these attractive, space efficient machines, the untidy dumbbell strewn weight room is an image of the past. This is particularly important in central D.C. where office space is expensive. Consequently every inch of exercise area needs to be used wisely and effectively.

RECREATION BASED PROGRAMS

Elaborate facilities alone do not guarantee a successful program. and not everyone likes the sweat and strain of a health club atmosphere. With this in mind many organizations include a strong recreation emphasis in their programs. Summer evenings see the parks surrounding the White House packed with softball , soccer and touch football teams battling it out in competitions between government departments. One has to be careful. The person you tackle while pursuing a soccer ball might be a Secret Service or FBI agent, or even worse from the Internal Revenue Service!

CORPORATE FITNESS A WISE INVESTMENT

The benefits of encouraging employees to increase their physical fitness are obvious. A fitter healthier work force results in increased productivity and decreased absenteeism. Many companies have given lip service to the idea but have done little to provide their employees with accessible facilities. But for government departments in Washington D.C. the benefits are obvious. They realise that with today's increasing work pressures and escalating health care costs, providing dollars (for employee fitness programs) certainly makes cents!

Mike James is the manager of the World Bank fitness center, and a freelance writer with years of experience as a corporate fitness center consultant. He is based in Washington, D.C.