David Herrera has helped a 350-pound, 40-year-old diabetic drop 285 pounds. It’s all part of his job as a personal trainer at the Student Recreation Fitness Center.

“I could always tell how we were doing because of how he changed notches in his belt,” Herrera, Lawrence senior, said. “In the end, he had to punch new holes in it.”

The Student Recreation Fitness Center offers free personal training to all students. The center has 40 one-hour slots available per week. People can take two sessions a week, so at least 20 people sign up in any given week. The slots always fill up every two weeks during sign up, said Jill Urkoski, associate director of recreation services.

The program became more popular when the Student Recreation Fitness Center opened in 2003, she said. At least 25 people will try to sign up for what are really 20 spots.

Interested students can start signing up for personal trainers on designated days at 6 a.m. The slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The University is one of few schools that provide free personal training.

Additional sessions or any purchased after the first 40 are filled are $10 each, Urkoski said.

The people behind the treadmill

The four paid student trainers range in experience from Herrera, who has been a personal trainer for a year and a half, to Josh Magaha, Leavenworth senior and a trainer for three years.

Though many of the trainers major in exercise science, they do not get class credit for being a personal trainer, Urkoski said.

Each trainer is different and focuses on different aspects of fitness depending on their philosophy.

Herrera focuses on improving cardiovascular fitness with strength exercises. He also shares his knowledge so that his clients can work out on their own.

If a client doesn’t show up or only comes in for two weeks, Herrera can’t do much for them.

“My philosophy just doesn’t go well short-term,” he said.

Magaha’s approach emphasizes cardiovascular, resistance and flexibility training to provide a long-term fitness routine. He is wary of people just want to develop their upper-body muscles or are just concerned about losing weight fast, and he has a reputation for being tough.

“I’ve been told I can be a little tough on people,” he said.

Steven Bartkoski

Trainer Josh Magaha, Basehor senior, right, smiles at his client Richard Johnson, dean of students, as Magaha adds an extra count to the exercise Wednesday morning. Johnson worked out with Magaha at the Student Recreation Fitness Center and said Magaha pushed him hard. Magaha has worked as a trainer for three years and said he enjoyed the interaction he had with his clients.

A personal trainer for three years, Magaha has seen a lot. The premedical student has worked with bulimia and anorexia. He also helped one client lose 200 pounds.

Both trainers have gained personally from their sessions. While Magaha seeks to help

improve others’ health and fitness, he has also changed.

“It’s developed me more as a person than it has physically,” he said.

Herrera said the benefits of the job were the convenience of working on-campus, continually learning about health and fitness and helping his clients. Rewarding was just one word he used to describe it.

The challenge of learning how to motivate different people is important skill, Urkoski said.

“Even if their career path is different from this, they will have to interact with people no matter what they do,” she said.

Willing to help anyone

Students sign up for the program for various reasons, Urkoski said.

One student sought the help of Herrera when her workouts became boring.

“I’m pretty athletic, so I was hoping he could introduce me to more exercises,” Hayley Dool, Ontario, Canada, senior, said.

Students such as Dool are an exception, Urkoski said. Students more in the middle of the road in exercise experience use the program almost as much as beginners.

Students sign up for the program for one of two reasons, she said.

Those unfamiliar with different exercises, such as resistance training, like the program because they can receive knowledge and remain in their comfort zone. Knowledgeable students enjoy it because it reinforces correct exercise methods, she said.

But the program isn’t just for students.

Richard Johnson, dean of liberal arts and sciences, among other KU administrators, receive training.

But, unlike students, faculty and staff must pay $10 for each session with a trainer, Urkoski said.

“If this continues, we may need to hire another trainer,” she said.