Kelly is an ACSM certified personal trainer. She enjoys distance running and cycling. She has completed the Chicago Marathon and several triathlons – so far.

Kelly Barnes is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist that works with both the research and the athlete testing teams. Currently, Kelly manages the day to day operations of the research studies at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute's facility in Barrington, IL. On the research side, she works with the principal scientists to develop and maintain the study documents as well as collect and organize the data; she is also responsible for recruiting, scheduling, and managing the athletes that are tested in this facility. Kelly also provides support to the athlete testing program – both internal and field-related testing of elite level athletes. Kelly earned her Bachelor's degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in Health Psychology, then continued her studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Exercise Physiology, finally completing her Master's degree at Benedictine University in Clinical Exercise Physiology.