About the role#
This internship provides students with hands-on experience in a fitness facility. You will work at a client site in Chicago, gaining exposure to various health and wellness operations while completing your university internship requirements.
What you'll do#
- Provide supervision and fitness guidance for facility members.
- Perform fitness evaluations and interpret test data for clients.
- Prescribe cardiovascular and strength exercise programs for healthy individuals.
- Job shadow a personal trainer and train a client under supervision.
- Teach at least one group exercise class format through team teaching.
- Develop and implement a special program or event.
- Assist in the coordination of client site events.
- Contribute to the marketing of fitness and wellness programs.
- Compile participation data and complete necessary reports.
- Assist staff with daily office duties and attend scheduled meetings.
What you'll need#
- Junior or Senior standing in a Bachelor's or Master's program.
- Currently pursuing a degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Physical Education, Recreation, Health Education, or Health Promotion.
- Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
- Strong communication skills to interact with a diverse group of individuals.
- A Personal Training or Group Exercise certification from ACE, ACSM, AFAA, NSCA, or NASM is preferred.
Location & details#
- Location: Chicago, Illinois.
- Terms: Winter 2027 or Summer 2027.
- Status: Full-time and paid internship.
- Work Modality: On-site.
About HealthFitness
HealthFitness provides fitness and wellness management services for corporate, medical, and community organizations. Founded in 1975, the company operates across 400 sites nationwide. It employs over 3,000 professionals who manage fitness centers, wellness programs, and health education initiatives. The firm is based in Lake Forest, Illinois, and serves more than 180 clients.
How to get in at HealthFitness
Securing an internship at HealthFitness requires speed because early applicants often capture the attention of hiring managers before the candidate pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, which helps you apply among the first and gain a visibility advantage. You should aim to be one of the first people to submit your materials when a new opening appears. Reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles is another effective way to stand out, as direct communication often leads to better response rates than a standard application. Intern Insider surfaces the specific recruiters managing these positions so you can contact them directly to ask about the role or inquire about a referral. This proactive approach shows genuine interest and helps you bypass the automated queues that many other candidates rely on.



