KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 23, 2025

Years ago, Wil King took the intellectual approach to improving his physique.

In addition to lifting weights, the Kennesaw State University exercise science student picked up scientific journals to delve into the “why” of his workouts. He would go on to discover KSU’s Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management, where he connected with researcher Gerald Mangine on a study on supplements for weightlifters. 

Today, he’s engaged in a CrossFit research project which studies how to design personalized workout plans by measuring participants’ body dimensions and then testing exercise routines to determine which protocols best suit different body shapes and sizes.

“It’s a really exciting time to be at KSU,” King said. “We’re conducting groundbreaking research and publishing papers.”

King has worked with Mangine, a professor of exercise science in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, since he arrived at KSU in 2023. He also spent last summer working with KSU’s football program on measuring speed among players during workouts, a different dimension from the pure strength training in his athletic background.

King took up weightlifting in high school to improve his physique, but he said he wanted to do it the right way. That meant understanding the science behind the lifts and movements that helped boost his self-esteem and establish a lifestyle. 

“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.”

King started his education at Chattahoochee Technical College, looking toward a career in physical therapy, but his goals changed over time. Thinking about the YouTube channels he followed for weightlifting and fitness content, he noticed many of the presenters had advanced degrees related to fitness. Once he learned KSU had a program in exercise science, he decided to transfer.

The timing was serendipitous. 

“I transferred into KSU one class shy of being a sophomore,” he 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.”

In combining his passion for weightlifting and research, he found his way to Mangine’s lab through the First-Year Scholars Program, emailing Mangine about his research before enrolling at KSU. King said Mangine had a project involving nutritional supplements, which are important to a weightlifter’s lifestyle, and he wanted to exchange ideas so he knew what opportunities were available to help with research.

“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.”

The current project pairs him with senior Caralynn Doese, a competitive CrossFitter who earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in December. It involves running participants through a series of exercises after taking their physical measurements, and the goal is to match workout protocols with appropriate body shape and size. Mangine credited the two with conducting the data collection on their own while running the first set of trials.

King said the study began in late July and the lab hopes to recruit around 100 participants. He hopes to present preliminary findings at the spring Symposium of Student Scholars and in the summer at the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s national conference, with final results more than a year away.

For King, the research promises to continue his path toward a career in the fitness industry he loves.

“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.”

Story by Dave Shelles

Photos Matthew Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.