University News
Get Fit With WIU Students
August 29, 2007
MACOMB, IL -- Contrary to popular belief, the ice cream shuffle and couch potato lunge are not exercises that will improve physical health any time soon.
To get Western Illinois University employees motivated, moving and on the road to better health, WIU senior kinesiology students in Cathy McMillan's Kinesiology 463 (Personal Training) are assigned clients each semester and are responsible for improving their clients' fitness. Working with Human Resources, McMillan pairs the exercise science and fitness students with Western employees for an intensive 10-week fitness program as a capstone to the students' classroom experiences.
"This is true theory-to-practice learning for my students. They get to work with a client to design a fitness program, motivate the client and track results before they head to their internship in the spring or summer," McMillan explained. "Employees benefit by having a program tailored to their needs and fitness level, as well as having someone keep track of their progress."
According to McMillan, the cost is minimal for WIU employees, who can choose one of two fitness options. The first option costs $125 which includes two one-hour personal training sessions per week in the Brophy Hall weight room; use of the Brophy Hall weight room during the semester; pre- and post-program bloodwork (cholesterol and blood glucose levels), as well as pre- and post-weight, body fat and cardiovascular endurance screening. The second option is $50 which includes two one-hour personal training sessions per week in the Brophy Hall weight room; use of the Brophy Hall weight room during the semester; and pre- and post-weight, body fat and cardiovascular endurance screenings.
"This is a great opportunity for individuals who aren't quite sure how to get started; for those who don't know what they need to do to tone up, lose weight and get in shape; and for those who need a little extra push or encouragement to meet their fitness goals," she added.
McMillan's class meets once a week to discuss their clients' progress, to brainstorm with one another and provide feedback if the trainer has a problem or question. The senior-level students must pass a comprehensive exam covering a variety of fitness components before they can graduate.
"Our program is intensive. By the time my students are ready to work with clients, they are more than ready. This experience working with WIU employees is an excellent way to prepare them for their professional-level internship," McMillan explained. "Many of my students also minor in nutrition, or another health-related minor, so they are able to provide their clients with information and guidance on establishing healthy eating habits."
A WIU administrator who has participated in the program since its inception said she has nothing but praise for McMillan's direction of the program and the students who work as personal trainers.
"Each trainer I have worked with has been professional, conscientious and enthusiastic," she added. "Under Cathy's direction, each of my trainers has created a program that worked for me, and they were mindful of my limitations, as well as my strengths. As a result of the program, I have more than met my weight loss goal and I am more fit than I have ever been in my life."
Elton Fernandes is a May 2007 graduate who is currently completing his internship at the Olympic training facility in Canada as a personal trainer for future Olympians. Ferdandes worked with a WIU employee during the Spring 2007 semester.
"The practical experience of working with a client helped me translate what I had learned over the past four years into a real experience," Fernandes said. "This experience also helped me to believe in myself even more. What I had been learning actually was working. My client and I set goals at the beginning of the semester, and by the end, she was more than satisfied with the results."
McMillan stressed that employees who sign up for the training program must honor their commitment as the students must complete this experience as part of class requirements.
"The students truly are here to help their clients get in better physical condition, and they do treat this as a job. Without clients they can count on, they don't really get that capstone experience they need and deserve," she added. "I encourage employees who want to get in shape and improve their health to sign up. It's the start of a lifelong commitment to fitness."
For more information or to register for a trainer, contact McMillan at CS-McMillan@wiu.edu. Training sessions will begin in mid-September.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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