Riders experience G-Force by pedaling upside down on an intense 18-foot vertical loop. BJC SPORTSWORKS: TAKE THE WELLNESS CHALLENGE By Christine Imbs Want to know what it’s like to pitch for the Major Leagues? Or maybe to race against Jackie Joyner Kersee? At BJC SportsWorks you can not only find out, but you just may learn a little something. BJC SportsWorks is an interactive sports exhibit that also combines health and fitness information, screenings and creative learning opportunities. A team effort between BJC HealthCare and the Saint Louis Science Center, the exhibit opened in June and will run through April 2007. Steve Lipstein, president and CEO for BJC HealthCare, says they expect about 100,000 visitors by the end of the exhibit’s run. “Some days we’ve had over 700 people come through the exhibit, so we’re very pleased,” he says. “And they’re having a great time while they learn. That’s what this exhibit is all about—promoting healthy lifestyles, nutrition and fitness in a way that’s fun interesting and educational.” But it’s also addressing a rather serious issue. Lipstein says that St. Louis consistently ranks among America’s least healthy cities. And Missouri as a whole has a higher incidence than the national average for heart attacks, coronary artery disease, diabetes, stroke, asthma, and smoking. “We simply are not a healthy community,” he adds. “But the good news is we can change that. And through BJC SportsWorks, we’re hoping to get people excited about improving their health.” The rock wall allows visitors to climb the third tallest free-standing rock wall in the country. Professional rock climbers are on hand at all time giving climbing tips. It’s hard not to get excited once you’ve experienced it firsthand. You enter the exhibit through the “Hall of Fame” which contains rare sports memorabilia which will rotate throughout the run of the exhibition. Then you go into the main room which contains more than 15 interactive activities. Here you can experience G force on a two-story, bike-powered vertical loop; climb a 35-foot rock wall; pitch to a virtual major leaguer in a regulation pitching cage; participate in a sportchair sprint; race a virtual Olympic athlete in track and field; and test your skills in basketball, soccer, and rowing. If you weren’t a kid when you came in, you’ll definitely feel like one when you leave. “Some people have the misconception that you’ve got to be a real athlete or a kid to do this,” says Doug King, president and CEO of the Science Center. “But it’s designed with anyone in mind, from the littlest of kids to those of us who aren’t exactly little kids anymore.” Visitors to the exhibit can also record a variety of health measurements, such as blood pressure and body mass index, and check for improvement during subsequent visits. And BJC’s member hospitals will offer screenings throughout the year, including bike helmet fittings, nutrition assessments and blood sugar measures. There’s also a screening room, which provides health literature, community calendars and short educational videos. “Things like smoking, obesity, and diabetes are controllable, yet they are higher in St. Louis than they should be,” says King. “We’re trying to get people to think about it. You don’t have to change your entire life. There are simple things you can do that can make you healthier.” To help visitors make those changes, they’re being encouraged to “Take the Challenge” by filling out a form committing to just one thing they will do to make their health better. It can be as simple as losing five pounds, or as difficult as quitting smoking. Whatever it is, the folks at SportsWorks are there to support you. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan shares some tips on how to hurl a fastball. “One little boy was so impressed by the exhibit he wrote on the form that he’d eat more broccoli,” King comments. “We emailed him to see how it was going. His mother emailed back that he still doesn’t like broccoli very much, but he’s eating it. And that’s exactly what we’re going for. We sent him a list of other vegetables that are just as good for him.” Both King and Lipstein are also asking local corporate leaders to “Take the Challenge” by committing to take steps toward improved health for themselves and their employees. To help encourage them, the venue is available after hours for employer-sponsored family outings. Lipstein says it’s not only a great opportunity for an enjoyable family outing, but it can also be coupled with health screenings, health information and other things to promote good health. “We hope everyone will come to SportsWorks to learn what you can do to help manage and improve your own health, and the tools that are available to you from organizations like BJC HealthCare to make you successful in that activity,” he says. “Because when it comes right down to it, the best person in the world to take responsibility for managing your health is you.”

October 2006 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cover Story with Joseph Imbs, U.S. Bank David Steward Mark S. Wrighton Saint Louis Art Museum - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.stlrcga.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - www.technologygateway.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Technisonic BJC SportsWorks Larry Salci David Campbell, Little Hills Winery & Restaurant