MonticelloLive

Personal trainers are no longer limited to professional athletes and Hollywood stars. If you’re a member of the Exercise Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, you can have your own personal trainer and it won’t cost you a dime.

The trainers are upper level exercise science students at UAM who work with two to three clients at least two times a week for the duration of an academic semester. The student trainers meet with their clients to discuss long-term fitness goals and complete fitness assessment tests to determine the physical capabilities and limitations of each client. The student trainers then bring the client information to the classroom to prepare customized exercise programs based on each client’s fitness level, time schedule and goals.
    
“We try to find a physical activity the clients will enjoy,” explains Memory Frazer, instructor of exercise science at UAM. “If people enjoy their workout program they are more likely to stick with it. Over 50 percent of people who begin an exercise program drop out within one year.”

The student trainers discuss their clients’ progress as part of their classroom instruction and make changes and upgrades every three weeks, depending on the individual client’s progress.

Persons who want to have a personal trainer can sign up individually or with a partner by contacting Terri Richardson in the Office of Student Health Services at (870) 460-1051. Due to the popularity of the program, potential clients will be placed on a waiting list.