Years ago, Wil King began to approach weightlifting from a scientific perspective. While working on his own fitness, he started reading scientific journals to better understand the reasons behind different workout routines. This interest led him to Kennesaw State University’s Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management, where he connected with researcher Gerald Mangine.
Currently, King is involved in a research project at KSU focused on CrossFit training. The study aims to develop personalized workout plans by measuring participants’ body dimensions and testing various exercise routines to determine which protocols are most effective for different body types.
“It’s a really exciting time to be at KSU,” King said. “We’re conducting groundbreaking research and publishing papers.”
Since arriving at KSU in 2023, King has worked closely with Mangine, who is a professor of exercise science in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services. Last summer, King also collaborated with the university’s football program to measure players’ speed during workouts—an area that differs from his primary focus on strength training.
King’s interest in physical fitness began in high school when he took up weightlifting to improve his physique. He explained that understanding the science behind lifting was important for him: “I did martial arts as a kid and then picked it up again a little bit in high school, so I had always had a physical fitness interest in my life,” he said. “I can vividly remember there a Gymshark Fitness Expo promotion video that came out in 2013, and I knew that’s what I wanted to look like. It was mostly just that I wanted to look cool. I wanted to be muscular and lean.”
He initially attended Chattahoochee Technical College with plans for a career in physical therapy but changed direction after realizing many fitness experts he followed online held advanced degrees related to exercise science. After learning about KSU’s program, he decided to transfer.
“I transferred into KSU one class shy of being a sophomore,” King said. “If I would have transferred in as a sophomore, I would have not been eligible for First-Year Scholars, I would have not found Dr. Mangine, and I don’t know if I would be doing the research I’m currently doing.”
Through the First-Year Scholars Program at KSU, King reached out directly to Mangine before enrolling at the university about opportunities for research involving nutritional supplements—a key topic for weightlifters.
“Freshman could learn something from Wil,” Mangine said. “He took it upon himself to direct his future, and took the initiative to get in touch with me. Yes, he has a lot of knowledge from his own experience, but combined with his enthusiasm and initiative, he’s contributed so much to our research.”
King now works alongside senior Caralynn Doese on their current project studying how best to match workout protocols with individuals’ body shapes and sizes based on data collected through participant measurements and exercise trials. According to Mangine, both students conducted data collection independently during initial trials.
The study began in late July; the team hopes eventually to recruit around 100 participants. Preliminary findings may be presented at upcoming academic events such as the spring Symposium of Student Scholars or the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s national conference next summer.
Looking ahead, King sees this work as foundational for his future career goals: “I would definitely like to go the Ph.D. route and continue research physique enhancement, anything related to supplementation, nutrition, and weight training to get people as muscular and as lean as possible,” he said. “I really love where I’m at and the possibilities that the future can hold.”
