Meet a Fitness Wellness Student
Macyn Helmsing is a senior in the fitness wellness program. Her passion for fitness has landed her an internship at a privately owned gym, 480 Fitness in Chandler, Arizona. Read on to learn more about her hands-on learning experience and her plans for after graduation.
Why did you choose your major?
Exercise has helped me so much, and I’m really passionate about it. Choosing this major just made sense because I want to share the life-changing benefits, both physical and mental, of staying active.
Where are you doing your internship?
I am doing my internship at a privately owned gym called 480 Fitness located in Chandler, AZ. My internship focuses on personal training, the biggest service 480 Fitness offers. The clientele is incredibly diverse; it consists of young athletes, recreational athletes, general population, and older adults.
What is your role in your internship? What are some of your responsibilities?
My role at 480 Fitness is to take in as much knowledge as possible and help out in any way I can. I have the opportunity to shadow four personal trainers, and the experience is very hands-on. I get to instruct exercises during sessions, and I’ve been able to build relationships with the clients. My exercise library expands every day, and I’m gaining a lot of valuable experience. Additionally, I work the front desk, complete programming assignments, and help keep the gym clean.
What has been your favorite part of the internship?
My favorite aspect of this internship is the opportunity to learn different training styles. Each personal trainer at 480 Fitness has a unique area of expertise, allowing me to explore various programming approaches and understand how to train different populations, such as athletes versus the general population. This experience has also helped me identify the type of training style I want to adopt in the future.
What skills have you learned through this experience?
The most significant skill I’ve developed is leading with confidence. Initially, I found it intimidating to apply my classroom knowledge to real-world situations. However, 480 Fitness provides an incredibly supportive learning environment where everyone genuinely wants to see you succeed. This supportive environment has helped build my confidence. Additionally, I am learning the essentials of starting a career as a personal trainer, such as strategies for building and retaining a clientele. Another invaluable skill I’ve gained is rapport-building with clients, which is crucial in this field.
How do you feel this experience has prepared you for your future career?
This internship has really set me up for success—I have learned so much! My exercise library is rapidly expanding, my cueing has improved, and I have gotten a lot of experience watching sessions with many different types of clients.
What do you hope to take away from your internship?
I’m eager to put into practice everything I’ve learned, from marketing myself to leading personal training sessions. This includes developing my personal brand, understanding client needs, creating tailored workout plans, and building strong relationships with clients.
What do you want to do after you graduate?
Once I graduate, I want to be a personal trainer. I have been wanting to pursue this career for a while now, and this internship has solidified that decision!
