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Day 17
Jun. 30, 2009


11:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines

Called potential clients to confirm their appointment

Edited a “Vertex Fit Tip of the Week”

2:00 p.m. – Staff Meeting

Shadowed Corinne with a client

4:30 p.m. – Depart for Women’s Health Source: A Healthy Body Happy You Event

9:00 p.m. – Completion of the Day

*Reflection

The Vertex Fit Tip of the Week that I edited was about herniated discs.  Not only did edit the document but I was able to learn what a herniated disc was, the causes of it, and how to manage it.

The Staff Meeting touched base on why we thought people decline additional session with Vertex.  We also talked about the best approach to closing a client (continuing sessions), which was a presumptive approach.  We also took part in doing a little role-playing when answering phone calls and approaching people.

The Women’s Health Source banquet was an eye-opening experience.  This event gathered women of all age and race and discussed how to avoid cardio-vascular disease, which is the number one leading cause of death in women.  There were also keynote speakers that talked about hormones in the body, dieting and exercise.  Vertex Fitness were one of the tables that were set-up as well as a woman that represented Jockey, and a table that was about food and health.  At the end of the night we were able to get forty-five leads interested in winning three complimentary sessions.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 16
Jun. 29, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wipe down machines.

Edit the equipment protocol document that I wrote while shadowing last week.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

Researched articles on core exercises, low back pain, and weight training.

3:30 p.m. – Weight training circuit

4:00 p.m. – Departure

*Reflection

Today, I didn’t really do much but I still enjoyed being in the Vertex atmosphere with the staff and clients.

By editing the equipment protocol document that was the result of me shadowing, I realized that I am learning more and there is a lot of direction into performing in each machine.  A trainer really needs to be specific and be able to describe how to use each piece of equipment as if they were painting a picture.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Week 3 Summary
Jun. 27, 2009


During Week 3, I spent time creating a spreadsheet for new clients, reading equipment protocol as well as shadowing the trainers to get my own view of how each machine is executed, and created a flyer for Vertex’s Eighth Anniversary Party.   Spending more time understanding the equipment makes it much easier for me to properly use each machine and be able to know what it does specifically to target each muscle. 


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 15
Jun. 26, 2009


8:00 – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines

Updated the New Client spreadsheet

Read articles that researched core exercises and the negative or positive correlation that it has on athletic performance.

12:00 – Lunch

Photo-copied papers

Shadowed Dwayne and Chris with their clients

Helped with facility maintenance

3:00 p.m. – Weight Training circuit with Chris

4:00 – Departure

*Reflection

The article that I read basically disproved that working the core has an effect on athletic performance.  The article believed that working out the whole body and not just the core will make one a better athlete.   However, I felt that the studies that they did were not thorough and didn’t have enough information to disprove the core exercises.

I really like shadowing the trainers because the more I am familiar with the machines the better I will know them and be able to set-up a client.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 14
Jun. 25, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines.

Updated “New Client” list.

Finished the flyer for the Anniversary Party.

12:15 p.m. – Meeting with Dwayne to discuss Anniversary Party

Shadowed Corinne with a client

Called new potential clients that were scheduled in the workout log to confirm their appointment. 

4:00 p.m. – Departure

*Reflection

The meeting with Dwayne discussed a lot of things that had to do with my responsibilities toward the Anniversary Party.  That included getting in contact with an event planner, talking to the Blush Restaurant owner, coming up with a date and time, sending out invitations via facebook and postcard mailing, and discussing door prizes and decorations.  We decided that this was going to be my Special Project.

Shadowing trainers with a client helps me get to know the equipment protocol well as well as get a better understanding of how to execute each machine because usually the clients that I shadow are new ones.   With new clients, the trainer has to carefully explain each exercise and its usage which helps me a lot with the knowledge of each machine.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 13
Jun. 24, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Updated the list for the new client spreadsheet.

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch Break

Worked on the flyer for the Anniversary Party

Washed towels, dried, and folded them.

2:00 p.m. – Protocol Meeting

3:15 p.m. – Weight training circuit with Corinne

4:00 p.m. – Departure

*Reflection

Working on the flyer for the Anniversary Party was a bit strenuous because I have never done anything for a company that was going to be showcased for people to see.

The Protocol meeting touched based on an article we had to read called, “Is my Ab Workouts Hurting my Back?” We discussed what exercises are beneficial for those who have lower back problems and how to execute the right ab exercises to prevent spinal injuries.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 12
Jun. 23, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines.

Changed the format to the equipment protocol so it looks more professional and so that Vertex has a fixed template.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch Break

Called new potential clients that were scheduled in the workout log to confirm their appointment. 

2:00 p.m. – Staff Meeting

3:15 p.m. – Met with Dwayne for Feedback

Scanned pictures to add on Lower Back Article to post on the Vertex Blog.

4:00 p.m. – Departure

*Reflection

In the Staff Meeting, we used the “New Client” spreadsheet that I had created yesterday.  We learned that 9/61 clients stayed with the agency which averages to about 5 new clients a month.  We also talked about retention calls and how often we should call back after a complimentary session.  In addition, we did some role playing for when potential clients ask about the price of the session.  I learned that you do not want to answer them right away.  You have to take control of the conversation and develop a rapport with them before you start giving them what they want to hear.  


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 11
Jun. 22, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines.

Put towels in dryer, folded them, and placed them in the rack.

Read Equipment Protocol documents for the Hip Flexion and Abdominal machines.

Added Week 2 journal entries to “Shala’s Vertex Experience” Blog on the website.

12:00 p.m. – Lunch break

Created a spreadsheet of new clients and how they heard about Vertex Fitness so we can discuss which means of communication works for getting new clients in the Staff meeting tomorrow.

Called new potential clients that were scheduled in the workout log to confirm their appointment. 

3:30 p.m. – Weight training circuit with Chris

4:00 p.m. – Departure

*Reflection

The equipment protocol documents for the Hip Flexion and Abdominal machines were so that I could create a template that describes each machine’s function, its benefits, the major and supporting muscle groups that it works, its instructions on how to work the machine, and limiting factors.   This will help me get a better understanding of the each machine and its function on body.

When I created the spreadsheet for the new clients dating back from the beginning of May, there were a total of sixty-four which is pretty amazing since the majority of clients heard about Vertex fitness from auctions, 5k runs, and Main Line Magazine.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Week 2 Summary
Jun. 20, 2009


During the second week of my Vertex Interning Experience, I was able to register for different networking websites, read numerous articles on how to execute proper exercises as well as developing a new format for “Fitness Tips of the Week”, and attending a staff and protocol meeting that was very resourceful.  


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 10
Jun. 19, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines.

Created “Fitness Tips of the Week” with the NASA, hydration, and lower back articles.   I also created blog templates for the articles as well.

12:00 a.m. – Lunch

Called new potential clients that were scheduled in the workout log to confirm their appointment. 

Shadowed Dwayne and Chris with their clients to see how they utilized each machine.

2:00 p.m. – Weight training circuit with Chris

4:00 p.m. – Departure

*Reflection

Shadowing Dwayne and Chris with their clients was a good experience because I got the chance to see how each machine usage and how it affects a different muscle group.  I think I may be doing this a couple days out of the week for the remainder of my internship.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 9
Jun. 18, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines.

Proofread NASA article and went over the editing with Chris.

Called new potential clients that were scheduled in the workout log to confirm their appointment. 

12:30 p.m. – Lunch Break

Read articles on how to properly execute crunches.

4:00 a.m. – Departure

*Reflection

I believe that it is very beneficial for me to read these articles and edit them because it makes me more aware and understand the beneficial exercises that Vertex Fitness strives to utilize.  I also feel that it is fulfilling one of my objectives, which understands the significance of proper training.

Answering phone calls and calling potential clients helps me become more professional and practice my personable and communication skills.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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Day 8
Jun. 17, 2009


8:00 a.m. – Arrival

Answered phone calls and wiped down machines.

Dwayne decided to put my weekly reports on the Vertex Fitness website under “Blogs”.  I also had to write a summary of the week to put onto the “Shala’s Vertex Experience” blog.  My blogs can be found at:

http://www.vertexfitness.com/blog/category/10/shalas_vertex_experience

Continued to proofread articles.

11:00 p.m. – Lunch Break

Called new potential clients that were scheduled in the workout log to confirm their appointment. 

Folded towels and put them away. Swept the floors.

Met with Chris to review his article and discuss the things that I edited.

2:00 p.m. – Protocol Meeting

3:00 p.m. – Weight Training circuit with Chris

4:00 p.m. – Departure

*Reflection

Dwayne’s idea of putting my weekly reports on the website was a great one.  I think it is pretty humbling to have my own blog on a website since I have never had one before.

I enjoyed working with Chris to talk about his article.  He is very open to changing wording around and others’ input.

During the weight training circuit, I felt that I am progressing through each machine.  Even though I do not prefer some machines to others, I am able to work hard, focus, and get the most out of each workout. 

The protocol meeting was about utilizing the machine and making sure that the client gets the best out of the machine. We discussed teaching turn over, how to execute a workout with a client with uneven legs, and muscle contraction.  This meeting opened my eyes to how certain machines are properly used and what the trainer needs to teach his/her client what to focus on.


Shala Simms

Vertex Fitness Personal Training Studio

Lock Haven University Intern


Posted in:  Shala's Vertex Experience
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24 North Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Call Your Personal Trainer Today 610.525.6604
Serving the Main Line health and fitness needs in the Philadelphia suburbs, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Ardmore, Gladwyn, Merion,
Bala Cynwyd, Wynnewood, Radnor, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Malvern and Paoli.