Kara’s Summer Internship Experience at Showtime

Hi! My name is Kara Gunter, and I will be a senior at the University of Dayton this year. I play softball for UD and have been working out at Showtime for 8 years now. I am a sports management major with a minor in business administration. I needed to take an internship class to graduate, and I chose to intern at Showtime this summer. During my time at Showtime, I have learned quite a few things that I will share. 

Personal Training Can Be Exhausting

The first lesson I gained from training people at Showtime is the unexpected exhaustion it can bring. Despite having a personal trainer myself for the past 8 years, I never anticipated how draining it would be to train others. As a trainer, you invest all your time and energy into assisting others in achieving their fitness goals. It is comparable to engaging in another workout yourself, considering the efforts involved in setting up equipment, demonstrating exercises, effectively explaining movements, correcting form, etc. 

In addition to that, by the end of the day, your social battery is drained. I am not a naturally social person so for me it takes a considerable amount of energy to be social with clients for hours and I have found myself feeling depleted. This is a common feeling among personal trainers. I have discussed this topic with another trainer at Showtime and while she is a social person, unlike me, she said there are days after work she will not talk to anyone to decompress and recharge. 

Initially, I assumed that being a personal trainer would be an enjoyable and relatively easy career, but I now realize that I made that judgment too hastily. The reality is that it demands substantial physical and social energy, making it more challenging but even more rewarding than I initially thought.

Coaching Is Harder Than You Think

I never realized how challenging coaching someone can be. My perception of coaching was influenced by the presence of great coaches in my own life who made it appear effortless. However, I have come to understand that there is a learning curve for everyone, even those who are considered excellent coaches.

One of the initial hurdles I encountered while coaching was the ability to communicate effectively with others. While I personally know how to perform various exercises and movements, I found it difficult to convey those exercises in a precise and comprehensible manner to people who are new to them. What comes naturally to me, having performed these movements countless times, may not come naturally to kids or clients new to working out. This requires me to remind myself to break down each step thoroughly for others.

At times, I have struggled to find the right words to aid in others' understanding of the exercise. It is a humbling experience, but it has taught me the importance of patience and the need to continually improve my communication skills as a coach. 

One of the most challenging aspects though is finding the right approach to help each person understand the exercises and instructions. People have different learning styles and respond differently to various cues and explanations. What may resonate with one client might not make sense to another. As a coach, it is essential to be adaptable and capable of tailoring your explanations to see what works best for each person. 

Additionally, confidence plays a crucial role in coaching. Feeling "under-qualified" is a concern I experienced, especially when I first started. The fear of being wrong has led to self-doubt and uncertainty in my explanations. However, it is essential to remember that no coach knows everything, and learning is a continuous journey. Confidence comes with experience, knowledge, and a willingness to learn. Embracing the fact that you might not have all the answers but are eager to learn and improve can make you a better coach.

Building Relationships Is Important

Working at Showtime has taught me the significance of establishing a relationship with the people I coach. Building a relationship with them not only enhances the coaching experience but also contributes to a more enjoyable and fulfilling workout for both parties. I have noticed that the people I share a better relationship with tend to have more enjoyable training sessions. Getting to know these people better teaches me their capabilities, which in return makes me feel more comfortable pushing them further in their workouts. 

Moreover, forming personal relationships allows me to understand what motivates each person to work harder. Everyone possesses a unique personality, and as a coach, it is essential to be able to work with diverse personalities while fostering meaningful connections in order to motivate your clients. 

Lastly, I discovered that, for some, the one hour they spend working out can be the highlight of their day. Taking the time to get to know them on a personal level, asking about their interests, sports, or family, can bring happiness and a sense of care to their workout experience. This aspect of coaching not only elevates the training sessions but also establishes a supportive and motivating environment that makes people want to return to train again. 

Helping People With Their Fitness Goals Is Rewarding

One of the most significant lessons I have learned and feel compelled to share is the profound reward of helping people achieve their fitness goals. As a coach, it is crucial to genuinely find joy in witnessing your clients' progress. If the success of others does not bring a sense of fulfillment, coaching might not be the right path to pursue. 

Watching clients understand and get better at an exercise they once struggled with is genuinely exciting. There was a particular instance recently when a young athlete apologized for not being able to perform a diesel row without modifications, but I just envisioned the day when he could accomplish a diesel row without any modifications, and that made me excited. The small victories along your clients’ fitness journey mean the world to them, and as a coach, being able to celebrate these milestones with them is incredibly gratifying. Being here this summer makes me want to stay to watch these people continue to grow and get better. 

My internship at Showtime this summer has provided me with new insight as to what it is like being a personal trainer and while it is incredibly rewarding, I have realized it is not as easy as it looks.