Blog 3: How does your organization affect the lives of others? How have you affected someone else while on project?

Throughout my time at King’s Gym, I’ve seen how the environment and people truly impact the lives of others. Each day, I get to work with new people, as we spend the first two hours helping my mentor train them. This can include anything from preparing equipment and counting reps to handing out weights or simply having conversations. From the little time I spend with these people each day, I have learned a lot about them.

Most of the people I’ve worked with are older adults, many of whom have been coming to King’s for years. One man who especially stands out is Johnny, who is 92 years old. He comes to the gym twice a week, completes full workouts, and always takes time for a good conversation. Having grandparents around the same age, I understand how challenging it can be to stay active at that stage in life. That’s why it’s so impressive to see his dedication, from showing up consistently and putting in the work every time he's here.

One thing I’ve learned is that King’s is more than just a place to exercise: it’s a close-knit, supportive community. While helping to train someone new one week, she told me that what makes King’s special is how much people look out for each other. She mentioned that if someone were to fall, everyone in the gym would rush over to help without hesitation. It might sound like the bare minimum, but in many other gyms like Planet Fitness, you don’t always see that same level of care. At King’s, people genuinely treat each other like family.

I’ve seen how important it is for people to have a safe space where they can challenge themselves physically without risking injury. My mentor is careful to guide people through workouts that are intense but still safe, especially for the older members. Being part of this environment, even as someone who is shadowing, has shown me how much of a difference encouragement, patience, and attention to detail can make in someone’s life.