Isabella Henningsen

Responsibilities

Give new member orientations which include a facility tour and description of all the services the gym offers. Administer health assessments including resting heart rate, blood pressure and skin fold measurements. Attend/shadow group fitness classes then teach 1-2 formats to members. Shadow personal training sessions and perform a mock personal training session with a member of the staff. Cover the front desk, answer calls, schedule massages, answer any questions people have stopping into the gym. Help with marketing which includes the monthly newsletter, Facebook posts and bulletin board updates. Interns also give a Lunch and Learn presentation on a health topic, it can be alone or with another member of the team.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment from this experience was forming relationships with my co-workers and the members of the gym. I got to know some of the members really well since they would come in almost everyday. We would talk about their family, vacations and learn about their wellness journey. The clients I got the closest with were the ones that participated in our 10-week program. I would talk to them about their goals and what they need from me as a trainer. They told me that having someone like me to motivate them and hold them accountable helped them reach their goals instead of just being on their own. It was so great seeing people get excited about the results I helped them achieve. I really enjoy seeing a person start out on their first day in the gym then watch them improve and transform as the weeks go by.

What advice would you give?

Arrive on time everyday for your internship, this is a small thing that makes a big difference in the eyes of your supervisors and just shows that you are organized. This internship is what you make it, your supervisor won't have an agenda and make you do certain things. You have to step up, ask questions and get involved at your facility otherwise you won't gain anything from this experience. Find something you would be interested in doing at the facility and pursue that. Listen to your co-workers and supervisors, they have been in this field for years and can be a great resource for you.