Dr. Bloom is featured on the 2010 Cougar Trading Card
Joel Bloom, Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the College of Education knows quite a bit about fitness so it is "fitting" that his opinion is in demand from his own colleagues. Bloom leads the College’s Wellness Campaign in addition to contributing numerous editorial contributions and publications, including books on the Art and Science of Cycling, as well as Swimming, Paddleball and Racquetball. He is also one of the prominent Cougars featured in the Cougar Trading Cards Program which is a project designed to increase student retention at UH.
COE employees Jaime Questell and Michelle Plair work out in Garrison Gym during Dr. Bloom's cycling class.
Bloom puts his fitness advice to good use within the College of Education by working with staff members to create a sense of community through good health practices. "A Healthy person is more productive and stays on task for longer periods of time," said Bloom. "The human mind is an organ, and if the body stays healthy, the mind does too." His cycling class, which meets every Monday and Wednesday is popular, and his proposal that staff form walking teams has become a reality. Bloom also has more ambitious plans, which include a proposed health facility within Farish Hall for faculty and staff. “Dr. Bloom has provided an amazing opportunity to staff to think about fitness at work," said staff member, Jaime Questell. "Not only are we cycling at work, he inspired me to be a leader of a walking team. He’s changed the way I think and feel about fitness.”
Bloom also gives advice to COE employees who want to get fit during the day. He recently addressed the college employees and demonstrated quick and easy exercises that can be done in the office. He stressed the importance of relaxing the mind, eating healthy and staying active - mind, body and spirit. "Walk around our beautiful campus and take a visual and emotional break from what you are doing," said Bloom. "This will keep the person centered with nature with more enthusiasm for the task."
Bloom said that he got into fitness because he was an overweight and inactive child. "One day I picked up a tennis racquet, and that changed my life," said Bloom. "This led me to be more interested in academics, especially the biomechanical movements of the body."
Most recently, Bloom has written fitness and exercise tips for Competitor, a magazine that focuses on endurance sports like running and cycling. In the September 2011 issue, Bloom offers his expert opinion on how cyclists should fuel their rides. He lists five basic tips that riders should consider before, during and after a ride, and while training as well. He plans to make regular contributions to the magazine in the future.
Dr. Bloom has entered many cycling tours.
Bloom supports student learning in the areas of Kinesiology, Sports Therapy, Athletic Injuries, Facilities Planning and Aquatics. He used to teach a Human Structure and Physical Performance class which is legendary. The test focuses on 100 stations including boxes with items hidden inside that ask students to identify bones and the components, action of muscles and function of specific body structures. The class was never lacking for students. “He has gone beyond the requirements to help thousands of young people fulfill their educational dreams,” said one former student. “He never forgets to teach the intangibles by his actions and deeds."
Currently, Bloom teaches Health for Elementary School Children, Adolescent Health Issues and an online Medical Terms course which is required for all pre-med students at UH.
Bloom is part owner of Cyclistics, which is a company that specializes in Indoor Cycling Certification Programs and continuing education for fitness professionals. He has been a faculty member at the University of Houston for over 40 years. He was originally recruited to be the university's first Aquatic Director, and since then his mission has been to encourage Texas children, teens and adults to get and stay fit.
