Wish your workplace had a fitness center? Here's what you and your co-workers can do, says Tri-Health's Maureen Swift:

        1. Check with your Human Resources Department to see if there may already be one. Some of the people interviewed worked two years or more at a company before realizing a fitness center was available.

        2. Decide what you want. There are many options, including: cardiovascular, weight training, lap pool, track, fitness classes, wellness courses and personal trainers.

        3. Do some research on other fitness centers in the area, or other companies in your industry. Internet Web sites also offer useful information on what corporate fitness and wellness programs are available.

        4. Investigate your space options. Is there an unoccupied room, floor or wing of a building that could be used? Are there other company sites, besides your location, that could be considered? A good time to approach your company is when it is remodeling, moving to a new location or expanding.

        5. Gather your data. Consulting services such as Tri-Health Preventive Health Systems provide information and statistics about the proven benefits of corporate wellness programs and fitness centers. They can also calculate what is needed based on the number of employees. Other good sources of information are national fitness organizations and professional human resources journals.

        6. Approach your Human Services Department or upper management. Have well-prepared documentation that underlines the benefit to the company as well as the employees. Health and fitness consults such as Tri-Health can also meet with management and “flesh out” a plan that works.

        7. Have an option. When a fitness center is not a practical option, some companies subsidize employee memberships at a nearby fitness facility, with reduced fees and a payroll deduction plan.

Historic Emmys leans toward 'West Wing'
List of Emmy winners
KIESEWETTER: New roll call on 'NYPD Blue'
New songs spice up Dylan show
Online chat on fitness
Ask A Stupid Question
Get to it
Working out at work
How to get your own center
Bad weightlifting technique can lead to injury
Fit Bits
Proper diet can cut cancer risk
Carlin as original, unprintable, funny as ever
Down-home funky moe. leads jammin' journey
Malkmus bit better when on road with Pavement
Mills, Pendergrass still feel the groove
Wild welcome greets Potter film premiere
Mysterious illness puts lives in new light