Summer Internship: Fitness Instructor (Unpaid) Location: Juniper Senior Living Community Duration: Summer Semester (Flexible Start & End Dates) Schedule: Part-time | Flexible Hours | Weekday Availability Preferred
About the Opportunity
Spend your summer making a meaningful impact while gaining hands-on experience in senior wellness. This internship offers college students the opportunity to design and implement a fitness program tailored to older adults in a vibrant senior living community. You’ll help support active bodies, engaged minds, and fulfilled spirits through movement, motivation, and personalized programming.
This is an ideal opportunity for students pursuing careers in Sports Medicine, Exercise Science, or Kinesiology.
What You’ll Do
Design and implement a summer fitness program for older adults of varying ability levels
Lead group exercise classes such as chair fitness, balance training, flexibility, and light strength training
Offer one-on-one movement support for residents with individualized goals
Assist with wellness assessments and track participation and progress
Collaborate with life enrichment, therapy, and wellness team members
Adapt exercises to support mobility, fall prevention, and functional independence
Encourage participation through creative, engaging, and inclusive programming
Help develop written fitness guides or take-home wellness resources
Support special wellness events (Fitness Week, Walking Clubs, Outdoor Movement, etc.)
Learning Outcomes
Gain hands-on experience working with the geriatric population
Learn safe exercise modification for varying physical and cognitive abilities
Develop program planning and group leadership skills
Understand interdisciplinary collaboration in senior living
Build experience relevant for graduate school or clinical careers
Receive mentorship from wellness and healthcare professionals
Qualifications
Currently enrolled in a college/university program in:
Sports Medicine
Exercise Science
Kinesiology
Athletic Training
Interest in working with older adults
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Energetic, compassionate, and creative approach to fitness
Ability to modify exercises for different ability levels
CPR/First Aid (preferred but not required)
Physical Requirements
Ability to demonstrate exercises
Standing, walking, and light lifting (up to 25 lbs)
Comfortable assisting participants with safe movement
Compensation
This is an unpaid internship designed to provide educational experience. Students may receive:
Academic credit (if applicable through school)
Letter of recommendation upon successful completion
Professional mentorship
Resume-building project experience
Networking opportunities in senior living and healthcare