There are many physical benefits of engaging in regular fitness activities: improved strength, improved body composition, more energy. However, the benefits extend far beyond the physical to include improved mental health, confidence, motivation, and even new friendships.
Claire Bounon, a graduate student in the School of Communication, and Brinna Walker, her personal trainer in Campus Recreation’s Fitness program, experienced these benefits firsthand.
Bounon played many sports when she was younger, highlighted by 17 years of horseback riding. Though athletic, she hadn’t necessarily found herself regularly going to a fitness center until she came to Illinois State University.
“I just wish I got started with personal training when I first came to campus.”
“I didn’t know what to do outside of running on a treadmill or cycling,” she said. “But I have done lots of outdoor pursuits such as hiking. It was a bit new to work out in a fitness center.”
Though Bounon did start attending the Student Fitness Center regularly, she decided to look into personal training.
“I felt like I wasn’t accomplishing what I wanted by myself, because I didn’t have all the knowledge I needed to get where I wanted,” Bounon said. “It felt like a good match to work with a personal trainer to see how far I could go.”
While Bounon only started working with a trainer recently, she says she has already felt positive effects.
“It gives me more determination I think,” she said. “When I feel I’m about to stop, I think about what I am capable of doing. I am able to push myself further and not only in fitness.”
According to Bounon, this initial success can be attributed to Walker.
“When she’s pushing me, it helps me be able to push myself harder on my own,” Bounon said.
Walker believes the success of Bounon and her other clients is due to the relationships she is able to form with them.
“I want my clients to be comfortable with me,” Walker said. “That’s my number one thing. If they’re doing an assigned workout, I want them to be able to text me if they have any questions. If they don’t have that comfort level, they’re not getting their money’s worth.”
Bounon started her training just a few months before graduation and feels a bit of frustration with the timing of her success.
“I just wish I got started with personal training when I first came to campus,” she said. “I could have been more effective if I’d started sooner.” Maybe the timing wasn’t perfect, but both Walker and Bounon know that the time they spent working together will continue to pay dividends for quite a while.
Visit the Campus Recreation website to find out more about personal training.
