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Table of contents

Personal Trainer Resume Examples
Choose a Format for Your Personal Trainer Resume
How to Write a Personal Trainer Resume in Just a Few Steps
Add a Personal Trainer Cover Letter
Personal Trainer Resume — Key Takeaways
Resources to Help With Your Job Search

A personal trainer needs to have the fitness expertise, motivational energy and can-do attitude to guide and encourage their clients toward achieving their fitness goals. But even a great coach needs coaching sometimes!

Let us help you build a resume that communicates these incredible skills with the help of some inspiring personal trainer resume examples.

This guide covers:

Top personal trainer resume examples.
Tips for building an impressive resume.
Formatting help so you can perfect your resume’s style.
Additional sections to improve your overall presentation.
A quick rundown on the importance of personal trainer cover letters.

Need to polish your resume quickly? Dive into our Resume Builder. Choose a design that mirrors the skills of the fitness world and receive step-by-step guidance, supplemented by customizable text suggestions.

Personal Trainer Resume Examples

Entry-level personal trainer resume example

Entry level resume example personal trainer

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Why this is a great personal trainer resume sample:

Expresses passion in the resume objective
The candidate wrote a compelling objective statement to highlight their enthusiasm for health and fitness, emphasizing their commitment to guiding clients toward their personal fitness goals. This marks them as an excellent fit for a personal trainer role.
Showcases a versatile skill set
Personal trainers need both technical and interpersonal skills. This resume proficiently encompasses a wide range of competencies, from exercise program design to understanding client physiology.
Uses a functional resume format
By going with a functional resume format, the candidate prominently features a “Professional Skills” section that details deep-rooted expertise in fitness training. Aggregating skills in this manner illustrates the candidate’s holistic and diverse expertise.

Experienced personal trainer resume example

Experienced resume example personal trainer

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Why this is a great personal trainer resume sample:

Emphasizes career progression
This personal trainer details their extensive background in a thorough work history section using a chronological resume format.
Details skills with measurable achievements
The candidate’s capabilities are reinforced by specifying exact numbers of clients trained, transformation stories and programs developed. This provides employers with a tangible view of their effectiveness.
Uses a clear, easily understandable resume design
The candidate has chosen a neat and concise design, allowing potential employers to swiftly comprehend their qualifications and experience. This uncluttered layout ensures that their certifications and specialized trainings shine, highlighting their expertise in the fitness domain.

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Choose a Format for Your Personal Trainer Resume

Think of your resume as a workout routine. It needs to be organized properly to have maximum impact.

This is where your resume format comes in. Your resume format plays a critical role in narrating this journey. There are three primary formats, each one curated for a different phase in your career as a personal trainer:

Chronological resume format: Ideal for seasoned personal trainers, this format emphasizes work history. If you’ve been in the fitness realm for an extended period, this format allows you to highlight your skills within the context of each role you’ve taken on, starting with the most recent and working backward.
Functional resume format: If you’re branching into a different fitness specialty, like transitioning from general fitness coaching to specialized yoga instruction, this skills-focused format is perfect. It emphasizes your transferable skills, such as program design or client motivation, using multiple skill sections.
Combination resume format: For personal trainers at the midpoint of their careers, this format presents a balance of skills and experience. It can also help you target a higher position, emphasizing your training successes and leadership skills while also giving your experience plenty of space to shine.

After determining the best format, your next step is to choose an effective, eye-catching design.

Select a well-designed resume template

Create your resume

As a personal trainer, commitment and motivation are top priorities. Your resume template should reflect your professional personality without becoming too flashy or distracting.

Consider using a creative resume design that allows for vibrant colors or unique formatting to capture the energy of the fitness industry. Just be careful to avoid overly complex designs that might distract from your qualifications.

When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a simple resume that focuses on clearly displaying your qualifications.

Remember that hiring managers are busy and only have time to skim resumes. That’s why it’s so important for your resume to quickly and clearly convey your core skills, background and accolades with clear section titles, bullet points and ample white space.

Looking for a resume to download? Check out our Word resume templates or choose a Google Doc template to help you get started.

How to Write a Personal Trainer Resume in Just a Few Steps

Let’s start walking the path step-by-step.

Step 1

Examine the job description

Job listings are a treasure trove of information, especially for personal trainers.

By reading the job descriptions, you can pinpoint the skills and areas of specialization — such as strength training, nutrition guidance or HIIT — that the role is targeting, so that you can mold your resume accordingly.

Tailoring your resume is a helpful step since many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sift through applicants who don’t align with specific criteria. Incorporate specific keywords from the job description onto your resume to sail through ATS and show employers that you match what they’re looking for.

Step 2

Add a professional summary or career objective

The first section you should address is your resume profile. Resume profiles are offered in two variations — professional summaries and career objectives — and they are equally useful to personal trainers.

A professional summary provides a brief overview of your career path and is perfect for those with a steady journey in fitness. Personal trainers with notable achievements, such as increasing gym membership retention or pioneering unique workout programs, can utilize it to spotlight their milestones.

A career objective, on the other hand, can shed light on your career ambitions and aspirations. They’re particularly advantageous for newcomers to the field, like recent physical education graduates or those transitioning from related health sectors. They’re a great way to emphasize transferable skills and the unique abilities you bring to a workplace.

Let’s explore how each of these would be presented on a personal trainer’s resume:

Personal trainer professional summary example:

Seasoned personal trainer with over 10 years in the fitness industry, proficient in crafting tailored fitness plans for a diverse clientele. Demonstrated expertise in fostering physical transformations with an 85% client goal attainment rate. Lauded for excellent coaching skills and comprehensive knowledge of exercise physiology.

Personal trainer resume objective example:

Recent kinesiology graduate from the University of Texas, keen to apply understanding of biomechanics and nutrition in the personal trainer role at Fitness First. Passionate about guiding clients on their fitness journeys and helping them achieve their health and wellness targets.

Step 3

Highlight your core fitness skills

As a personal trainer, you’ve honed a diverse range of skills — it’s crucial to feature them on your resume prominently. Your skills section should present a mix of technical expertise and interpersonal capacities.

Hard skills demonstrate your strengths in exercise regimen planning, biomechanics knowledge and nutrition guidance, while interpersonal or soft skills include your ability to motivate, communicate efficiently and build strong client rapport.

Below, we outline examples of skills that personal trainers commonly include on their resumes.

Hard and soft skills for a personal trainer resume

Hard Skills

Exercise regimen design
Biomechanics understanding
Nutritional guidance
Equipment use and safety
Cardiovascular training
Strength training techniques

Soft Skills

Motivation
Communication
Client rapport building
Team collaboration
Adaptability
Empathy and patience

Here’s an example of a comprehensive personal trainer skills section:

Proficient in designing personalized exercise regimens.
Knowledgeable in biomechanics and functional movements.
Effective communicator and motivator for a diverse clientele.
Adept in nutritional guidance to complement fitness goals.
Strong adaptability in tailoring sessions based on individual needs.
Experienced in using a variety of fitness equipment safely.

Pro tip

Never neglect your computer skills. Although fitness is all about the body and being in the room with others, personal trainers still need to operate fitness-tracking software and apps. Whether it’s platforms for workout planning, nutritional trackers or client management systems, highlighting your tech savviness can provide you a distinct edge.

Step 4

Create an impressive work history section

Your resume should reflect your expertise and accomplishments in the fitness industry. The most impactful way to showcase these achievements is by outlining your work experience on your resume.

List your roles in reverse-chronological order, using bullet points to highlight responsibilities and successes for each position. Whenever possible, use specific examples to show the impact that your work has had on past clients or organizations.

Remember to incorporate action words. These terms can vividly convey your past triumphs and make your years of experience resonate.

Personal Trainer, Elite Fitness
Nashville, TN
March 2018 – July 2024

Designed and implemented over 100 personalized fitness plans, with 85% of clients reporting goal achievement within target timelines.
Collaborated with a team of 10 trainers, leading group sessions that boosted center membership by 15%.
Introduced nutrition seminars, contributing to a 20% increase in member engagement and participation.
Guided clients through injury recovery exercises, resulting in positive feedback and client retention.
Consistently stayed updated with the latest fitness trends and certifications, ensuring cutting-edge training techniques for clients.

Pro tip

As illustrated, quantifying your achievements helps make your contributions pop. Using metrics demonstrates how your skills have made a measurable difference in the lives of your clients.

Step 5

Detail your qualifications and certifications

For a personal trainer, an education section should show that you have the proper training and any necessary certifications that empower you to provide fitness instruction.

Start by listing your degrees, beginning with your most significant academic achievement, like a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or kinesiology. Next, highlight your most relevant certifications, such as the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) designation or any specialized fitness credentials.

How to present your education and certifications:

Education

Bachelor of Exercise Science
Pacific University, Los Angeles, CA

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

Advanced Certification in Nutritional Coaching
International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA)

Optional sections for your personal trainer resume

Awards and recognition

If you’ve received any award or special recognition for your work, make sure to include it on your resume. Showing the recognition you’ve received backs up your claims by proving others have found value in your work.

How to list awards on your personal trainer resume:

Personal Trainer of the Year – September 2024

Awarded by the National Fitness Association for outstanding client transformation and satisfaction rates.

Best Fitness Blog Post – May 2020

Recognized by the Global Health and Fitness Journal for an influential article on home workout routines during lockdown.

Professional affiliations

Highlighting your memberships in fitness-specific organizations can set you apart in the job market. These affiliations suggest your commitment to ongoing learning and show that you’re in tune with current industry practices and trends.

How to list professional affiliations on your personal trainer resume:

Member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Active participant in the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) conventions and workshops.

Hobbies and interests

Your pursuits outside of work can provide a comprehensive view of your character. However, ensure they are relevant to your role as a personal trainer and can highlight transferable skills.

How to list interests and initiatives on your personal trainer resume:

Host wellness retreats focusing on holistic health.
Run a fitness YouTube channel offering nutrition advice and workout routines.
Mentor upcoming fitness enthusiasts and trainers.

Continued fitness education

Lifelong learning is essential. Highlight any supplementary courses, certifications or workshops you’ve attended to showcase your dedication to professional evolution.

How to list continuing education on your resume:

Advanced Strength Training Techniques, Global Fitness Academy.
Workshop on Modern Fitness Technology, Health Tech Symposium.
Online Course in Nutritional Science, Wellness Webinar Series.

Community engagement

Participation in the community, especially in health and wellness programs, can be a valuable asset. It reflects your dedication to the community and your passion for promoting health outside of your regular training sessions.

How to list community involvement on your resume:

Offered free workout sessions at community health fairs.
Volunteered in programs promoting physical activity for children.
Organized a charity run event to raise funds for youth sports programs in underserved communities.

Add a Personal Trainer Cover Letter

Create your cover letter

In the competitive world of fitness and personal training, standing out from the crowd is key, especially when you’re aiming for those coveted senior roles or positions in elite fitness institutions.

While many personal trainer roles might not require a cover letter, a compelling cover letter can provide that extra edge, setting you apart from other qualified candidates for those sought-after positions. Use your cover letter to share what inspired you to become a personal trainer, to elaborate on specific achievements with clients or to outline your long-term goals in the fitness industry.

If you’re unsure about where to start, check out our guide on how to write a cover letter and explore our range of cover letter examples to gain some inspiration. For a professional look, choose a cover letter template that matches your resume.

Not sure how to get started on your cover letter? Our Cover Letter Generator can help with that!

Personal Trainer Resume — Key Takeaways

Customize your resume for each position

Adapt your resume for every job, emphasizing personal training expertise and specific requirements mentioned in the job description.
Represent a diverse skill set

Highlight your technical knowledge of fitness techniques and your ability to motivate and communicate with clients. Striking a balance between training expertise and interpersonal skills is key.
Showcase quantifiable results

Whenever possible, use metrics to underline your successes, such as the number of clients trained, improvement in client fitness levels or growth in retention and referrals. The most successful personal trainer resume examples use specific metrics to highlight results.
Mention relevant certifications

Feature pertinent fitness certifications or accreditations, such as Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) or Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES).
Explain any specialty training or expertise

If you have specialized training in areas like rehabilitation, sports performance or nutrition, be sure to emphasize these, as they can set you apart from other trainers.
Include a persuasive cover letter for top-tier roles

In the fitness realm, genuine passion can be a game-changer. Make a strong case for yourself with a compelling cover letter that seamlessly aligns with your resume.

Resources to Help With Your Job Search

Last Updated: December 03, 2024

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.