SOFT SKILLS
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
It is important to establish strong communication skills with clients so they feel comfortable expressing any concerns they have with you. During my internship, I had practical experience giving clients instruction on how to use the strength equipment. As the clients moved from one piece of equipment to the next, it was important that I stayed within an arm’s reach of them to be there if they were unstable and lost balance. As the clients used the machines, I was able to talk with them and create strong interpersonal relationships. I was able to help adjust the machines and let the clients know that I was always there to help them. Many of the seniors were intrigued when I told them about the classes I have taken at Rutgers and many of them wanted me to give them fitness tips and advice. I was able to create bonds with the clients as well as give them advice on how to effectively perform strength exercises.
Communication is crucial when working with the older population. When the clients are performing cardio, it is a good idea to talk with them; this is a simple way to gauge relative intensity of the exercise. Physical activity affects both heart rate and breathing; as intensity of the exercise increases, heart rate and breathing rate increase. The talk test is a good indication for monitoring the client to make sure they are exercising within a safe intensity.
PROBLEM SOLVING
As a trainer, it is important to take into consideration the age, fitness level, motivational status, as well as health status when designing a fitness program. Seniors are at higher risk for injury than younger clients, and therefore more precautions need to be taken. It is important as a trainer to communicate with Physical Therapists as well as physicians to ensure that the clients are approved for physical activity. With some medical conditions, certain exercises should be avoided to reduce the risk of injury.
As a trainer, it is important to know the client’s health background if they have any underlying medical conditions. Trainers need to problem solve to determine an effective fitness program if clients are unable to perform certain exercises; this means thinking outside the box and having the clients perform variations of exercises they might not otherwise be able to do. During my internship experience, there were a few individuals in wheelchairs and walkers who could not use the traditional strength training machines in the fitness center. I was able to have these individuals perform variations of exercises with free weights and resistance bands so they could maintain their muscle mass without having to use the strength machines. For individuals with severe memory loss, these clients were not able to use the fitness center without being individually supervised. Therefore, I used problem solving skills and brought a foot pedal exercise machine to the rooms of these individuals. This way, the individuals could still get some physical activity in the comfort of their own room within the nursing home facility.
LISTENING SKILLS
My internship was located within a senior residential facility and many of the seniors suffered from dementia and memory loss. Some of the clients were completely unaware of where they were or what they were supposed to be doing. I did not have much prior experience with people suffering from dementia before my internship experience, so I had to listen closely to the instructions from the other trainers about how to approach training these clients. I observed the other trainers closely and listened to the advice they gave me. I learned from the trainers that it is important to stay positive and speak very loudly and clearly to the clients as many of the clients suffer from hearing loss. During my internship, I used my listening skills to listen to my supervisors and I also practiced my listening skills as I listened to the needs of the clients.
As exercise is very individualized, it is crucial to listen to the needs and preferences of the clients. As Parker fitness center is available for community members outside of the nursing home to use, these clients were able to express their specific desires for what they want out of their fitness program. During my internship, I was able to listen to listen to the clients to determine the most effective approach for their training. Perceived exertion differs from person to person during exercise, and what may seem simple for one person could be extremely difficult for another person. Older seniors may have extreme difficulty with a task such as walking, where another senior may still be able to run on the treadmill regularly. It is important to listen to the client and ask them regularly how they feel during the exercises. If they express that they are in any pain, it is important to listen to the client to determine the source of their pain and have the client discontinue that exercise and speak with a doctor. Listening skills are crucial for ensuring the safety of clients within the fitness center.
HARD SKILLS
DESIGNING EXERCISE PROGRAMS
During my internship, I had the opportunity to have hands-on experience with personal training sessions. I assisted a personal trainer during training sessions with patients with memory loss as well as neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. I was able to develop a stronger appreciation for the human body and I got a better understanding about how important it is to maintain muscle mass and muscle strength. Some of the seniors I worked with have been in wheelchairs for decades and do not have the muscle strength to stand on their own. Sarcopenia is a natural part of the aging process and is the gradual loss of muscle tissue over time; it decreases longevity and quality of life significantly; however, a healthy diet and regular exercise can help to slow down this breakdown of muscle tissue. I was able to assist personal training sessions for people with memory loss issues as well as neuromuscular disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. I was able to get hands-on experience training people suffering from these diseases, which helped me connect what I learned in the classroom with real clients.
KNOWLEDGE OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
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My courses at Rutgers have given me in-depth knowledge about Anatomy and Physiology. I had the opportunity to take the Functional Human Anatomy course at Rutgers, which featured a human cadaver lab; this course allowed me to have hands-on interaction with real human muscle tissue and really helped me to appreciate how intricate the human body is. I have learned about how the human body responds physiologically to exercise on a cellular level as well as macroscopic level. The courses I have taken at Rutgers have prepared me to apply this knowledge in my future career. I have the knowledge of anatomy and physiology to allow me to design fitness programs based on the specific needs of the individual; I will be able to explain to the client how the body adapts to exercise as well as design effective programs where the clients will be able to reach and exceed their fitness goals.
OPERATING AND MAINTAINING EXERCISE EQUPIMENT
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Throughout my time at the internship, I gained experience with learning how to use several types of exercise equipment.
The HUR Smart Technology strength machines are specifically designed for seniors; the machines operate based on air pressure resistance. Each machine has a touch screen and can be adjusted with as low as a quarter pound increments. The machines use an RFID card system to track client progress; the cards are programmed by fitness trainers and the exact number of sets, repetitions, and resistance are loaded onto the machine when the client scans their individual card. While the seniors are working out, the machines display the number of sets and repetitions remaining in large font, and when they are done with all of the repetitions, the machine produces a loud noise to signal that they can move on to the next machine. I was trained on how to program the cards for the clients and I was trained on how to adjust the settings of each machine to fit each client. I was also trained on how to safely and effectively guide the seniors from one machine to the next if they had low balance or difficulty standing without assistance.
During my internship experience, I was trained on how to use the NuStep cross trainers. These are cardiovascular training machines designed for seniors; these recumbent cross trainers put less stress on the knees than traditional forms of cardiovascular equipment such as treadmills.
During my internship, I gained experience assisting seniors on and off the strength and cardiovascular equipment. I also regularly sanitized the fitness equipment as well as fitness area to maintain a safe and healthy fitness environment.