Ivy Tech kinesiology alumnus starts personal training business

BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech kinesiology alumnus, Jared Hamilton, graduated in May 2014 from Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus with an Associate of Science in Kinesiology, and now operates a personal fitness business based in Martinsville, Indiana. Before graduation, Jared earned two personal training certificates, which allowed him to work while he was still in school. Ivy Tech now offers an Associate of Applied Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree for those interested in a similar career path that allows students to earn multiple personal training certificates before graduation.

Hamilton was home-schooled in Martinsville, Indiana and began attending Ivy Tech full-time immediately after graduating from high school. His older brother, Adam, completed the Paramedic Science degree at Ivy Tech, which was how Hamilton discovered Ivy Tech.

“I was homeschooled K-12 and I had never been in a public classroom before Ivy Tech,” said Hamilton. “I knew that Ivy Tech was the right choice for me because coming from a sheltered homeschool environment, I knew that I didn’t want class sizes with 400 per class. I also missed out on a lot being homeschooled so I was able to catch up at Ivy Tech.”

Hamilton wasn’t sure what he wanted to do when he enrolled at Ivy Tech but quickly found his path. “I was really big into the fitness scene and also helping people, so Kinesiology sounded like the best degree for me,” said Hamilton. “I took a personal training class with Mary Carol Paul and found that I absolutely loved personal training.”

Before graduating from Ivy Tech, Hamilton earned two certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM): Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist. While still a student, he utilized these certifications to work part-time at the Southeast YMCA and Indiana University’s Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC) as a personal trainer.

Hamilton was also involved in Ivy Tech’s Student Leadership Academy, where he helped organize campus events and took part in leadership development activities. He also utilized Ivy Tech’s tutoring center.

“At Ivy Tech there were resources around every corner, from instructors, to programs, to the tutoring center,” said Hamilton. “If I had to sum up Ivy Tech into a mission statement I would call it ‘Student Success’.”

After graduating from Ivy Tech, Hamilton earned the NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist certification and focused on growing his company, “Hamilton Trained.”

“I provide one-on-one personal training, online coaching, nutritional advising, and keynote speaking,” said Hamilton. “Word of mouth and social media marketing has helped me gain clients in New York, Chicago, and locally in Terre Haute and Martinsville.”

Hamilton is currently providing a fitness program at the Martinsville Youth Development Center, Inc. and holds “bootcamp” classes in the park every Saturday morning that are free and open to the public. Hamilton’s future goals are to earn an additional personal training credential and then the NASM Master Trainer certification. His company’s website is www.hamiltontrained.com.

Ivy Tech’s Associate of Applied Science degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science allows students to earn three technical certificates on their way to earning the degree: Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Inclusive Fitness Trainer. For more information, visit www.ivytech.edu/kinesiology or contact jbranigin1@ivytech.edu or (812) 330-6286. Ivy Tech spring classes begin January 17, 2017 but students should enroll by January 9 in order to be prepared on the first day of classes. To enroll, visit www.ivytech.edu/applynow, stop into Ivy Tech Bloomington located at 200 Daniels Way, or call (812) 330-6013. Ivy Tech is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.