3 Personal Trainer Resume Examples & Writing Tips


Once your resume is finalized, pair it with an effective personal trainer cover letter.
Personal trainer resumes by experience level



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Personal Trainer Resume Template (Text Format)
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[Your Name]
[Your Address], [City, State]
[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number]
[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)
Personal Trainer with 4+ years of health and wellness experience across multiple fitness centers. Possess a proven track record in helping clients achieve fitness goals through customized exercise programs and diet plans. Consistently improves fitness center revenue targets by developing new programs and retaining clients.
- First-Aid and CPR (Level C)
- Certified ACE Group Exercise Instructor
- Conversational Spanish
- Weight training
- Active listening
Personal Trainer | Charleston, SC | May 20XX – Present
- Train with 80 customers each month, with 70% of clients reaching fitness goals within 6 months
- Design personalized programs and nutritional plans for clients to achieve optimal results
- Provide exceptional customer service, securing 40% of new clients through referrals
- Check all gym equipment for proper use and functions, minimizing accidents or malfunctions
Personal Trainer | Charleston, SC | August 20XX – April 20XX
- Taught body combat fitness classes to over 30 students per class
- Instructed clients in safe equipment use and proper technique, protecting clients and preventing injury
- Contributed to the center exceeding revenue targets by 20% over a 6 month period
- Co-developed new fitness programs with management, with successful implementation that increased sales revenue by 24%
Resume Genius University | Bachelor of Science in Health Education
Graduation Date: May 20XX
How to write a personal trainer resume
Looking for more guidance on writing your personal trainer resume? Here are four tips to optimize your resume and ultimately land more job interviews.
1. Include the keywords that gyms and fitness centers are looking for
If you’re wondering what employers are looking for in personal trainers, we did the hard work for you by analyzing hundreds of PT job ads.
Here are the most common phrases that cropped up in job listings for personal trainer positions across the US:
We analyzed 711 personal trainer job ads to uncover the top resume keywords employers look for. Use these terms to increase your chances of a call-back.
Data
Keywords | Count |
---|---|
Fitness programs | 254 |
Training sessions | 249 |
Training certification | 201 |
Fitness assessments | 184 |
Customer service | 162 |
Training programs | 157 |
Time management | 143 |
Teamwork skills | 143 |
High school diploma | 141 |
Group training | 135 |
Fitness levels | 129 |
Exercise techniques | 121 |
Small group training | 107 |
To ensure your resume makes it past applicant tracking systems and impress hiring managers, you should sprinkle these phrases throughout your resume.
Naturally incorporate them into your resume introduction, prior job descriptions, and your list of skills.
By using insights from real job ads, you’ll craft a resume that speaks the same language as hiring managers—giving you a huge advantage over the competition.
2. 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.
3. 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:
- Resistance training
- Cardiovascular training
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
- Circuit training
- Functional training
- Flexibility training
- Plyometrics
- Periodization
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching
- Isometric holds
- Unilateral training
- Tempo training
- Myofascial release
Mention the specific training techniques you’re able to teach in your resume summary and skills section.
4. 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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Average personal trainer salaries in the US
After you’ve written your resume, make sure you use it to apply for jobs within a fair salary range.
The following table includes information from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report (May 2024). Here are the ten states with the highest salaries for personal trainers, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.
Top 10 states by average personal trainer salary
State | Salary / Year |
---|---|
Massachusetts | $67,320 |
Connecticut | $67,140 |
New Jersey | $62,690 |
California | $62,310 |
New York | $61,800 |
Washington | $60,830 |
Vermont | $60,290 |
Illinois | $57,930 |
Nevada | $56,990 |
Oregon | $54,600 |
National Average | $51,360 |
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