KINE- P 410
Ability Fitness Clinic
Spring 2026
Colin and I at the recognition ceremony at the last day of clinic!
Colin and I used bands to complete various exercises! Using bands allowed Colin to gain confidence and build strength.
My Experience
Personal training in clinic provided me with a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in adapted physical activity. During this experience, I worked closely with a client named Colin. My role as a personal trainer was to design and lead workouts that were appropriate for his abilities, interests, and communication needs. Because Colin communicated differently, I had to be very intentional about how I demonstrated exercises and structured the workouts so that they were clear and easy to follow. Many of the activities I planned focused on improving basic strength, coordination, and movement skills. I demonstrated exercises visually and used simple cues, repetition, and modeling to help Colin understand each movement. Working with Colin side-by-side allowed him to fully grasp the movement and form. I also made sure the workouts were structured and consistent each week, which helped create a comfortable and predictable environment for him.
Throughout the sessions, I adjusted exercises when needed to make sure they were both challenging and achievable. During clinic, I relied heavily on visual demonstrations, gestures, and patience to make sure he understood what to do. This required me to slow down, be very clear in my demonstrations, and pay close attention to how he responded to different cues.
Through this experience, I developed several important skills. I improved my ability to communicate nonverbally and learned how important body language and visual demonstrations are when teaching movement. I also developed patience, adaptability, and creativity when designing workouts that met Colin’s individual needs. Additionally, I gained experience modifying exercises and adjusting teaching strategies in real time.
Overall, this experience taught me a lot about adapted physical activity and how important it is to meet each client where they are. I learned that effective coaching is not just about giving instructions, but about finding the best way for each individual to understand and succeed. Working with Colin helped me become a more thoughtful and flexible instructor, and it reinforced the importance of clear communication, empathy, and individualized programming when working with clients with different abilities.
Reflection
My biggest takeaway from this experience was how important it is to adapt communication and teaching strategies to meet the individual needs of each client. Working with Colin showed me that success in a workout session is not just about the exercises themselves, but about how clearly they are communicated and how comfortable the client feels. I learned that patience, consistency, and clear demonstrations can make a big difference when helping someone understand and perform movements.
This experience taught me that working with individuals with disabilities requires flexibility and creativity. Everyone learns and communicates differently, so it is important to be willing to adjust your approach. With Colin, I had to rely on visual demonstrations, gestures, and repetition instead of verbal instructions. This helped me realize that effective teaching goes beyond talking; it involves observing how the client responds and adjusting in ways that support their learning and confidence.
I also learned a lot about myself. I discovered that I am capable of being patient and adaptable when faced with challenges. At first, I was unsure how to communicate and structure workouts in a way that would work best for Colin, but over time I became more confident in my ability to demonstrate exercises and adjust sessions when needed. This experience helped me realize that I enjoy helping individuals reach their goals, even when it requires a different approach than I might normally use.
This experience challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and think more intentionally about how I teach and coach. It changed my perspective by helping me understand that individuals with disabilities are fully capable of participating in physical activity when the environment and instruction are adapted appropriately. It reinforced the idea that inclusion and accessibility are very important in fitness and physical activity settings. Focusing on what a person can do is such an important thing to remember.
This experience connects strongly to my future career goals in the field of exercise science. I plan to pursue a career in physical therapy, which involves working with individuals who have a wide range of abilities and needs. The skills I developed—such as adapting exercises, communicating clearly, and being patient and observant—will be very valuable when working with future clients or athletes. This experience helped me understand how important it is to create supportive and inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to improve their health and physical abilities.
Colin was awarded client of the week!
