Two local companies recognized for promoting corporate wellness

Colorado Springs Utilities, which provides all four utility services for local residents, and TRANE, which supplies commercial and residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and services, have been awarded the American Heart Association’s top wellness honor. Both local companies made the list of the nation’s 2008 Fit-Friendly Companies.
Employers on the annual list promote a fit-friendly workplace that encourages wellness by providing walking routes and promoting walking programs, supplying online newsletters and tracking tools to motivate employees, offering healthy food options in cafeterias or vending machines, and creating a work environment conducive to physical activity.
Employers that sign on to the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program will be recognized at the Start! Colorado Springs Heart Walk June 7 and on the program’s national Web site. Interested employers can call the local office at 635-7688.

VillaSport to open soon

VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa gave a hard-hat tour of its facility today to members of the media. Prospective members can take a virtual tour at www.villasport.com. The 88,000-square-foot facility will be the city’s largest fitness club. It’s expected to open at the end of this month or in early December; an opening date has not been set.

Honing that mind-body connection

A few notes from the fitness front:

Rock Your Yoga recently opened downtown at 127 1/2 E. Bijou St., across from Acacia Park. The studio offers a variety of yoga styles; for information on classes and schedules, go to www.rockyouryoga.com or call 227-1452.

Pilates Essence is holding an open house from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 25 at its new location inside Dance Colorado, 612 S. Tejon St. The open house will include free lessons and refreshments. Call 575-0585 to RSVP. For more information, visit www.pilatesessence.net.

A really quick workout

Strapped for time? QuickGym has opened on the first floor of the Wells Fargo building, 90 S. Cascade Ave. It promises a complete upper- or lower-body workout in four minutes or a full-body workout in 10 — ideal for the busy downtown businessperson. It’s centered around the ROM QuickGym Cross Trainer, an exercise machine that’s sort of a mix of a rowing machine and a stair climber. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Phone: 227-3959. Monthly membership ranges from $35 per employee for corporate membership to $100 for a family membership.