SLU AT Student Gets a Varied Experience at Nutriformance and Athletic Republic

Nutriformance Summer Internship
By: A.J. Vandervorste (MAT Class of 2014)

This summer, I had the privilege of interning at Nutriformance, a small business and gym located in Frontenac, Missouri, owned by Dale and Ellie Huff. Nutriformance employs a highly energetic, enthusiastic fitness team comprised of personal trainers, registered dieticians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, licensed massage therapists, and sports performance coaches. Members of the fitness team genuinely cared for each of their clients, and were completely dedicated to helping people attain and surpass their fitness goals.

Over the course of the summer, I was under the guidance of my clinical instructor, Heidi Frey, MA, ATC, CSCS. Heidi would generate my schedule for the week, which included shadowing personal training sessions, group hybrid classes, and observing speed, agility, and functional strength classes up at the sports performance floor, Athletic Republic. Toward the end of the week, Heidi and I would review my experiences and discuss any questions I may have had. She was extremely insightful and provided me with countless amounts of information from her vast knowledge of various fields in health and exercise.

During the last few weeks of the summer, I was able to use what I had learned to contribute to the Athletic Republic training sessions as an assistant to the speed, agility, and functional strength coaches. I would lead the dynamic warm-ups for the athletes before class began, then instruct the clients during their workouts if I or one of the coaches saw a flaw in their performance. During larger group speed sessions, the athletes would complete the different phases of their running progressions on the treadmill, and come to me to complete various active recovery exercises I would lead them through.

I am very thankful to have gotten the opportunity to learn from such a unique fitness team. I am especially thankful for Heidi’s willingness to impart her wisdom on my growing knowledge of various health professions. The enthusiasm she and the rest of the employees at Nutriformance display shows through the excitement and interest of their clients.

Students in the Saint Louis University Athletic Training 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.