Kinesiology senior Dennys Hernandez-Mercado is ready to step into the strength and conditioning ring, with a focus on a career helping boxers excel in their sport. His recent internship has given Hernandez-Mercado the tools to go the distance, enhancing his practical knowledge through hands-on experience in the field.
This summer, Hernandez-Mercado completed an internship at Spectrum Performance, a multi-faceted fitness center offering bootcamp workouts, sports training and physical therapy. There, he worked closely with athletes and other clients to enhance their performance and overall wellness. The internship focused on applying strength and conditioning principles to real-life scenarios, offering Hernandez-Mercado a chance to see the impact of his studies in a professional setting.
“Even though I want to specialize in strength and conditioning for boxing, this internship showed me that being well-rounded as a coach is crucial for working with various sports and athletes,” Hernandez-Mercado explains.
Hernandez-Mercado is enrolled in UCF’s kinesiology program in the strength and conditioning track, which positions students to obtain a credential as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). The track requires students to complete two internships under a CSCS-certified preceptor to graduate.
The UCF Division of Kinesiology recently earned accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (CASCE), a distinction that will become even more significant as new industry standards take effect in 2031. By that time, earning the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential will require a degree from a CASCE-accredited program.
Hernandez-Mercado shares his experience on the latest episode of Knight Life @UCFCHPS. The series shares perspective into students’ day-to-day life by highlighting their experiences in internships, research, study abroad, specialized courses, student organizations and other high impact practices.
“As a coach, I’m not just going to tell you what to do; I have to show you what to do and show you how to do it properly,” Hernandez-Mercado says. “At Spectrum, they want to make sure they are building the most well-rounded athlete.”
