The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has launched the first in a series of wellness fitness centers in partnership with Cigna Healthcare. This initiative, part of a pilot program aimed at bolstering the health and fitness of its employees, was established at the education hub for CTA staff, CTA University located on Lipps Avenue. According to data from CTA's press release, an additional facility is slated to open at the Chicago Avenue Garage.
In a statement obtained by CTA's press release, CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. expressed contentment over the step taken to promote employee health. “The wellness of our employees is critical, and we extend our gratitude to Cigna Healthcare for helping provide the tools that allow our employees to carve out time for their health and wellness, in between their efforts to provide reliable service to residents across the city,” he stated, acknowledging the challenges faced by transit workers balancing job demands with personal well-being.
Cigna Healthcare, which has been a longstanding associate of CTA, views these centers as an extension of their mission, intending to improve the health standards of those they serve. “The creation of these wellness fitness centers aligns well with our mission to improve the health and vitality of those we serve, and we are grateful that we can partner on a program that offers a convenient way for transit workers to be more active,” explained Lisa Buckley, Cigna Healthcare's General Manager for the Midwest, as told to CTA's press release.
The exclusive centers for CTA employees will feature various fitness equipment including cardio machines such as treadmills and ellipticals, as well as a strength training system comprising medicine balls and foam rollers, among others. While providing a path for transit employees to integrate workouts into their schedules, this array of equipment demonstrates the partnership's commitment to comprehensive wellness options for CTA's workforce.
