3 Personal Trainer Resume Examples & Writing Tips

Personal Trainer Resume Template (Text Format)

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Whether you’re just getting started in your personal training career or you’ve already got years of experience, our samples will give you ideas to help you write your own.

Beginner personal trainer (no experience) resume

If you’re new to the industry, you’ll need a beginner personal trainer resume like this one:

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Beginner personal trainer resume highlights

• Detailed relevant coursework: To convince hiring managers they know their stuff, this entry-level candidate details their relevant coursework, including projects that apply theory to real-life personal training situations like designing training programs. This helps prove to hiring managers that the applicant knows their stuff despite lacking work experience.
• Hobbies & interests: Hobbies and interests aren’t a standard section to include on resumes if you’re an experienced worker, but they’re great for fresh job-seekers who may not have any real-world work experience. List any of your hobbies that have skills in common with personal training roles, like weightlifting.

Lead personal trainer resume

If you’re hired as a senior personal trainer, you might need to lead a team of trainers, so your resume should showcase both your management skills and your personal trainer skills, as this example resume does:

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Lead personal trainer resume highlights

• Management skills: This applicant shows they’re ready for a management role by mentioning they coordinated custom workout programs for over 50 clients while simultaneously leading group classes and offering support to retain clients. These responsibilities go above and beyond simple one-on-one fitness coaching and show that the applicant can handle complex management tasks.
• Additional skills: This candidate shows they’re experienced as a PT with a strong list of skills, including team leadership to show they’re ready to manage a team.

Average personal trainer salaries in the US

The following table includes information from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license, this data is pulled from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment & Earnings report (as of 10/16/2024), featuring the top states by use.

How to write a personal trainer resume

Looking for more guidance on writing your personal trainer resume? Here are three tips to optimize your resume and ultimately land more job interviews.

1. List any personal trainer certifications you have

The certifications section lists your credentials with the aim of impressing employers and clients, and is a central part of any good personal trainer resume.

There are currently no states that have laws requiring you to be certified in personal training, although California requires you to have a current CPR/AED certification.

Still, most gyms and fitness centers require their trainers to hold a personal trainer certification to ensure a standard of professionalism and knowledge, and to protect their clients.

Most employers prefer candidates with nationally recognized certifications, and the most commonly accepted ones include certifications from the following bodies:

• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
• American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA)
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CPT)
• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)

If you’re considering working as a freelance or private personal trainer, you should also consider getting covered for liability insurance in case of an accident during a session, and mention it on your resume.

2. List training techniques you’re familiar with

There’s no single way to train a client so showcase the training techniques you’re well-versed in to show you can cater to individual needs and goals. For example, you might specialize in any of these training techniques:

1. Resistance training
2. Cardiovascular training
3. High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
4. Circuit training
5. Functional training
6. Flexibility training
7. Plyometrics
8. Periodization
9. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching
10. Isometric holds
11. Unilateral training
12. Tempo training
13. Myofascial release

3. Add numbers to your bullet points

Adding numbers to each of your bullet points adds measurable detail to your job experience and will show employers exactly what you’re capable of.

To give you an idea of the types of things you can use numbers to describe, here are five bullet points strengthened with numerical data:

• Designed and implemented personalized training programs for over 50 clients, resulting in an average 15% increase in strength and 10% reduction in body fat
• Led group fitness classes with an average attendance of 20 participants, consistently receiving positive feedback for engaging and motivating instruction
• Conducted over 100 client assessments, utilizing body composition analysis and fitness testing to accurately track progress and adjust training plans
• Maintained a 95% client retention rate, demonstrating a strong ability to build rapport, establish trust, and deliver results
• Completed 20+ hours of continuing education annually, staying up-to-date with the latest fitness trends, research, and certifications

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