News > February 14, 2008

By Elliot Engstrom | News editor

Campus recreation at the university is now offering personal training to students, faculty and staff for an affordable fee. The program, which takes place in the Miller Center’s Fitness Center, is new for the university.

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Personal trainers work with students, faculty and staff members to improve their overall fitness. (Haowei Tong)

It is headed by Jillian Coleman, who is the university’s coordinator of group fitness and wellness. Coleman is a ‘03 alumna who has been working at the university for nearly four years.

“It’s brand new, we tried to do it last year but couldn’t,” Coleman said.

“I went to my boss this past summer and I told him that I really wanted to have personal training here. At the end of September, we went through the certification process.” Students who participated in the process became certified personal trainers and are paid for their work.

The price of personal training ranges from $15-25, depending on the number of workouts. Clients can work out from one time per week up to three times per week. Currently, 21 students, faculty and staff members participate in the program.

The most that any single trainer is currently taking is four clients.

“It gets people to the gym,” Coleman said. “If you put your money down and you’re meeting someone, you’ll be there.”

The sessions are 30 minutes long, in which the trainer gives little to no rest. Breathers are up to the client.

“The rest-based training makes the amount of rest up to the client. It’s a science-based way of training that people can learn more about at www.metaboliceffect.com,” Coleman said.

“We have people of all different health levels.” Campus recreation will be offering another certification session for personal trainers April 12-13.

“It’s one of the best jobs on campus for pay,” Coleman said, “but it’s a skilled position, so you would expect that they get good pay. We just love this program because it offers affordable training.”

It presents a positive side for everyone. Trainers become more skilled in their field, while students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to become healthier. Susie Manship is a junior at the university, and is certified as a personal trainer. “I’m not an HES major, but I’m always here and it’s good to give back and help people,” Manship said.

“I like pushing people to a point they don’t think they can reach. It’s very good money, and it also teaches you things as a trainer.”

The program has taken off well, and Coleman hopes that the program will continue to grow even more in the future.

“I think it’s a great deal since there is someone there who will truly work with you, motivate you and help you take you fitness to the next level,” sophomore Alex Macintosh said.

“I’m really excited to be offering this program,” Coleman said.

“It presents a great opportunity to both students involved in the program as trainers and those that are involved as clients.”