\n Published: January 29, 2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tBell Yeah! A roomful of UW Bothell faculty and staff took part in a tri-campus call and response as they lifted, twisted and curled their way toward smashing a Guinness World Record \u2013 World\u2019s Largest Kettlebell Workout. On January 24th, approximately sixty staff and faculty clad in gym gear gathered in Husky Hall to join in with 1,100-plus other UW employees spread across all three campuses to break the record. Under the live televised guidance of Marti Young, fitness enthusiast and wife of UW President Michael K. Young, participants worked through a series of stretches, curls, and squats. As participants worked out to the music, Young kept everyone excited. When she yelled, \u201cBell!\u201d the crowd from all three campuses responded \u201cYeah!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tAccording to Guinness, the previous record was set in November of 2013 in Arkhangelsk, Russia by 300 athletes at the International Confederation of Kettlebell Lifting Masters and International Kettlebell Triathlon Federation. With more than three times as many participants in attendance, Friday\u2019s workout is likely to take the place of the previous record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tThe workout included a certain rhythm that may be common in kettlebell workouts for newcomers. First there was a thud as a cast-iron weight slipped to the floor, and then there was laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\u201cIt was a great time,\u201d exclaims Sofia Piel, graduate staff assistant for the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. I haven\u2019t laughed that hard in months!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tThis collective feat is part of The Whole U, a new set of services designed to enhance the faculty and staff\u2019s quality of life as a part of their employment with the University of Washington. The goal of The Whole U is to foster community, share ways to stay healthy, and promote the great benefits and services available to UW faculty and staff. The program launches with employee discount programs for gyms and health food services, an events calendar, and a tool kit to help start up new groups or activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\tMaking an effort to support faculty and staff translates into an improved student experience as well, so The Whole U is an initiative that benefits every aspect of the university experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\u201cI think it\u2019s good to see the UW take an interest in well-being as a whole,\u201d said Linda Watts, Professor of American Studies at UW Bothell. \u201cHealth isn\u2019t something you can define in part. It has to be considered holistically.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n