One-on-One Fitness Coaching Is Coming to Your Community—Here's What It Actually Involves

Getting fit doesn't have to mean following a one-size-fits-all workout routine. A new initiative at Elon University is connecting community members with exercise science students who design customized fitness programs based on individual health histories, goals, and lifestyles. Through the upper-level course Exercise Testing and Prescription, students conduct thorough fitness assessments and create tailored exercise plans that meet participants where they are.

Why Generic Fitness Plans Often Fall Short?

The National Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week, along with two sessions of resistance training. While these guidelines provide a helpful framework, they leave many people confused about how to actually apply them to their own lives. "The exercise necessary to improve fitness takes time from other things, and exactly what to do to get the benefits you want can be hard to figure out," explains Liz Bailey, assistant teaching professor of exercise science at Elon University. "The best exercise program for most individuals is one that is designed to meet individual goals and takes into consideration individual likes and dislikes, time and access".

This personalized approach addresses a real gap in fitness guidance. Many people struggle to stick with workouts because they're either too demanding for their schedule, don't match their preferences, or don't align with their specific health needs. A program designed just for you is far more likely to become something you actually maintain.

What Are the Real Health Benefits of Improved Fitness?

Research consistently demonstrates that improving your fitness level delivers measurable health gains. Higher fitness levels are associated with a reduced risk of premature death and improved symptoms of mild depression. On the flip side, prolonged sedentary behavior—such as sitting more than seven hours per day—has been linked to increased risk of serious conditions including diabetes and dyslipidemia, a condition involving abnormal blood lipid levels.

The benefits extend across multiple dimensions of health:

• Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Improved heart and lung function reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death.
• Musculoskeletal Fitness: Stronger muscles and bones support better mobility, independence, and injury prevention as you age.
• Mental Health: Regular physical activity has been shown to improve symptoms of mild depression and boost overall mood.
• Disease Prevention: Staying active reduces your risk of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and other chronic conditions linked to sedentary behavior.

How Does Personalized Fitness Programming Actually Work?

The Elon program operates through a structured process. Exercise science students work one-on-one with volunteer participants from the university community. Here's what the process involves: students conduct fitness assessments, learn about participants' health histories and goals, and design customized exercise programs tailored to each person's needs. Throughout the semester, students meet individually with participants at times that are mutually convenient to help guide progress and make adjustments as needed.

This hands-on approach benefits everyone involved. "We want to empower participating individuals so they can access some of the many benefits increased fitness can bring," Bailey explains. "The opportunity to work with an individual is also a valuable learning experience for the students and me, so participants have the potential to make a lasting impact on us as well".

The key advantage of this model is flexibility. Rather than forcing you into a predetermined program, the students assess your current fitness level, understand your constraints, and build something that actually fits your life. Whether you have limited time, specific health concerns, or particular exercise preferences, the program adapts to you—not the other way around.

If you're interested in participating in a similar program or learning more about personalized fitness coaching, look for opportunities in your community where exercise science students or certified fitness professionals offer individualized assessments and programming. The investment in understanding your unique needs upfront typically pays dividends in long-term adherence and results.