Meet the Gym Supervisor that doesn’t Workout

When you hear of someone in a wheelchair, you don’t think supervising a gym would be their job. But, with my boss that is just the case.

Jonah McWaters is the fitness center director for the Troy Parks and Recreation where he has been since 2014. He graduated from Troy with a degree in exercise science.

In 2004, Jonah was in a car crash that paralyzed him from the waste down leaving him in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. But, that did not slow him down from following his dream. He now is a personal trainer and probably the funniest person I have ever come in contact with. Jonah told me a little bit about what its like working in the fitness center.

1. What is your favorite part about working in the gym?

The different people you come in contact with every day. I particularly like this place because of the differences in ages and ability where as if I was at a high school or college I would be training just athletes. Here I could be helping a person that just had a hip replacement. I chose the weight room because it provides challenges for our body and if we don’t give into those challenges and we push through, we do more than we think we can.

2. How do you make a specific workout designed for each person?

All workouts should be specific because no two people are the same. When you’re making a workout for someone, the most important thing is individuality. Then you have to look at what their goals are then you have to asses the person to see where their flaws are. I say it’s the assessment that makes me determined what they need for their workout.

3. What are your typical work hours each day?

It’s really whenever someone needs me but I would say on average I work anywhere from 8-10 hours a day.

4. How important do you think it is to workout every day?

Very important. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know when you’re active, you’re in better health. It helps keep a strong heart which is what keeps us alive. So, we want to keep a good healthy heart to do that and that is being active.

Being in the gym, it is very evident to see how much joy it brings him being able to train and interact with different people each day. He is one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.