In partnership with the UCLA Recreation Department, the Employee Wellness Initiative will launch Bruin Walkers, a fitness program designed to help staff take advantage of the walking opportunities near their workplace.

By logging on to www.recreation.ucla.edu/bruinwalkers, employees can access walking routes originating from the Medical Center, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital, the Wilshire Center and other points on campus. Participants then complete the route(s) on their own schedule and log their miles on the UCLA Recreation website. Bruin Walkers kick-off events, complete with giveaways and raffle prizes, are scheduled from noon to 1:00 pm on:

Friday, April 13 -— Wilshire Center
Route will begin at the Westwood Park, but the initial gathering location will be at the corner of Ashton and Midvale

Monday, April 16 -— Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital
Gathering location and route will begin at the main entrance of the hospital on 16th Street

Tuesday, April 17 -— CHS/Ambulatory Care
Gathering location will be at the CHS Plaza, but the starting point of the walking route will be at the Mattel Children’s Hospital Patient Drop Off Area

Bruin Walkers will receive a pedometer at the beginning of the event.

Studies show that the benefits of walking include:

• Managing weight
• Controlling blood pressure
• Decreasing heart attack risk
• Boosting high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or “good” cholesterol levels
• Lowering risk of stroke
• Reducing breast cancer and type 2 diabetes risk
• Lowering the risk of needing gall bladder surgery
• Protecting against hip fracture

Improve your health, your life and your outlook, just by walking.