SLU AT Students Team Up for a Great Summer Internship Experience

NutriFormance: A Wrap Up

By: Hilary Orf (SLU MAT Class of 2013)

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at NutriFormance, a small gym co-owned by a husband and wife duo, located in Frontenac, Missouri.  NutriFormance packs a punch with its wide range of professionals in the health care industry, including: personal trainers, registered dieticians, physical therapists, sports performance coaches, and licensed massage therapists.  The staff is always full of energy and they genuinely care about each and every client they train. 

Hilary Orf (SLU MAT Class of 2013) demonstrates use of heavy ropes in physical conditioning.

I also had the extreme pleasure of working with my fellow classmate, Katie Schneebeck and Heidi Frey, MA, ATC, CSCS.  Katie and I meet with Heidi once a week to map out our schedule.  We talked injuries, proper lifting form, and strength testing.  Katie and I got to observe and eventually help lead speed and agility classes (sometimes we even joined in!) as well as followed the strength trainers as they take their clients through their circuit programs.  NutriFormance also offers a variety of classes such as mat Pilates, spinning, and hybrid classes that we are encouraged to try so that we can get a full understanding of what the facility is all about.

Katie Schneebeck and Hilary Orf (SLU MAT Class of 2013) pose in the gym with staff members from NutriFormance.

I honestly could not have asked for a better experience.  Not only did every member of the staff welcome us and encourage our learning, so did their clients.  It was really interesting to see how each trainer developed certain programs for their clients based on their educational background.  Heidi was more than helpful with answering any questions we had, as well as demonstrating proper techniques.  She organized our entire summer experience to make sure that Katie and I observed/participated in every aspect of the facility.  Heidi is so enthusiastic about her work, and it shows.  She takes each client’s goals and develops a personal training plan based on that client’s specific needs.  I am so grateful for all of the hard work that Heidi put in to our experience.  I learned more this summer that I thought possible.  I want to thank all of the Nutriformance staff for being so open and supportive of our education! I could not have picked a more perfect place to spend my summer!

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Education Program have a required internship in the summer between their two professional years in the program.  This blog post details a student's reflection on their internship experience.