Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: The resume quantifies accomplishments by highlighting significant metrics, such as increasing client retention by 20% and boosting attendance by 25%, demonstrating measurable impact.
- Showcases career progression: It showcases career progression through advancing roles from health and fitness specialist to personal trainer, reflecting increased responsibilities and enhanced expertise over time.
- Uses action-oriented language: Uses action words to effectively with verbs like ‘increased,’ ‘designed,’ and ‘implemented,’ which engage the reader by clearly showcasing proactive contributions.
More Personal Trainer Resume Examples
Our personal trainer resume examples demonstrate how to highlight your fitness expertise, client management skills, and motivational abilities. Use these samples to craft a fitness and nutrition resume that showcases your strengths and positions you as a top candidate in your industry.
Entry-level Personal Trainer
Why this resume works
- Features education section: The education section is well-placed, putting a spotlight on the job seeker’s academic achievement in earning a Master’s degree in a particularly relevant field.
- Uses a resume objective: When you are early in your career, resume objectives are preferred over professional summaries. Objectives are focused on the future, telling an organization how you can support them even if you don’t have the experience.
- Shows digital literacy: Computer skills are evident through the development of a training app used by 200 clients, demonstrating proficiency with modern tools essential for today’s workplace.
Mid-level Personal Trainer
Why this resume works
- Includes mix of soft and hard skills: The resume showcases a well-rounded skill set, blending technical expertise in fitness programming with strong interpersonal abilities demonstrated through client retention and improvements in satisfaction.
- Demonstrates language abilities: Language skills are highlighted by a beginner’s ability in Spanish and intermediate proficiency in French, enhancing cross-cultural communication within diverse client groups.
- Displays technical expertise: Technical skills are underscored by industry certifications and successful implementation of specialized fitness programs that significantly improved client outcomes.
Experienced Personal Trainer
Why this resume works
- Lists relevant certifications: Certifications such as ‘Certified Personal Trainer’ by NASM emphasize expertise and commitment to ongoing professional development in the fitness industry.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: Accomplishments like boosting membership by 15% and developing a widely adopted fitness program underscore a significant impact at senior levels.
- Focuses on work history: The resume uses a chronological format to clearly outline an extensive work history, ideal for showcasing years of progressive experience.
Personal Trainer Resume Template (Text Version)
Michael Martinez
Miami, FL 33104
(555)555-5555
Michael.Martinez@example.com
Professional Summary
Dedicated Personal Trainer with 6 years’ experience increasing client retention by 20% and implementing innovative fitness programs. Expert in personalized workout plans, fitness assessments, and nutritional guidance.
Work History
Personal Trainer
FitLife Gym – Miami, FL
March 2023 – March 2025
- Increased client retention by 20% in 6 months
- Designed individualized workout plans for 50+ clients
- Conducted fitness assessments and goal setting sessions
Fitness Coach
Wellness Hub – Tampa, FL
March 2020 – February 2023
- Enhanced member satisfaction by 30% through personalized training
- Achieved 15% revenue growth by promoting advanced classes
- Led group classes with 20+ participants, ensuring safety and efficiency
Health and Fitness Specialist
Prime Fitness – Riverview, FL
March 2017 – February 2020
- Implemented a new training program, boosting attendance by 25%
- Trained clients on proper form, reducing injury rates by 30%
- Organized health workshops, educating 100+ members on fitness
Languages
- English – Beginner (A1)
- Spanish – Beginner (A1)
- French – Intermediate (B1)
Skills
- Personal Training
- Fitness Assessments
- Workout Program Design
- Group Fitness
- Client Retention
- Nutritional Guidance
- Injury Prevention
- Health Motivational Skills
Certifications
- Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) – National Academy of Sports Medicine
- First Aid/CPR/AED – American Red Cross
Education
Master of Science Kinesiology
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California
June 2017
Bachelor of Science Exercise Science
California State University, Northridge Northridge, California
June 2015
Popular Skills for a Personal Trainer Resume
A strong resume skills section is crucial for presenting the blend of technical abilities and soft skills required to succeed as a personal trainer. Emphasizing expertise in fitness training, effective communication, and motivational techniques can show your ability to assist clients in reaching their fitness objectives.
Below are a few of the top soft skills frequently listed on personal trainer resumes.
| Soft Skills | % of resumes with this skill |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 29.38% |
| Flexibility and mobility | 16.56% |
| Motivation | 15.43% |
| Goal-setting | 14.42% |
Here are a few examples of hard skills frequently included on personal trainer resumes.
| Hard Skills | % of resumes with this skill |
|---|---|
| Motivational coaching | 51.58% |
| Exercise program design | 51.43% |
| Strength training | 50.88% |
| Sport-specific training | 20.51% |
| Client engagement | 18.18% |
Advice for Writing Your Personal Trainer Resume
Want to make a great resume for a personal trainer job? It’s easier than you think. I’ll show you how to highlight your fitness skills, client success stories, and love for health and wellness. Not sure where to start? Check out this simple guide on how to make a resume and turn your experience into a strong application.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary at the start of your resume briefly outlines your key skills and experiences, especially for seasoned personal trainers. This part highlights your fitness coaching expertise and client success stories, making a strong first impression by demonstrating why you are ideal for the job. Use dynamic language to showcase your impact, such as “developed personalized training programs” or “helped clients achieve their fitness goals.”
For those with limited experience in personal training, consider using a resume objective. This section emphasizes your career aspirations and what you aim to accomplish in the role. Include relevant skills or certifications like “Certified Personal Trainer with extensive knowledge of nutrition and exercise science.” Clearly list your abilities, such as strength training, cardio workouts, or client motivation. Mention any relevant achievements from related fields or volunteer work.
By customizing these sections to fit the personal trainer position and focusing on specific skills and accomplishments, you can craft an engaging introduction that grabs employers’ attention.
Personal trainer resume summary examples
Entry-level
Enthusiastic and recently certified personal trainer with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Possesses foundational skills in creating personalized fitness programs, conducting assessments, and providing motivational support. Certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and dedicated to helping clients achieve their fitness goals through safe and effective training methods.
Mid-career
Results-oriented personal trainer with over 7 years of experience in designing individualized training programs for diverse client populations. Expertise in strength training, weight management, and functional movement patterns. Holds certifications from NASM and American Council on Exercise (ACE). Recognized for improving client performance through tailored exercise plans, nutritional guidance, and continuous progress monitoring.
Experienced
Seasoned personal trainer with 15+ years of experience specializing in advanced sports performance coaching and injury rehabilitation. Proven track record of leading teams of trainers, developing advanced fitness strategies, and delivering measurable improvements in client health outcomes. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with additional credentials in corrective exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Committed to fostering a positive gym environment that motivates clients to surpass their fitness goals.
Personal trainer resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Energetic and dedicated recent graduate with a certification in Personal Training from NASM, seeking an entry-level position to utilize my passion for fitness and helping others achieve their health goals. Eager to apply my knowledge in exercise science and nutrition to create personalized workout plans and motivate clients towards a healthier lifestyle.
Career changer
Motivated professional with a background in customer service transitioning into the field of personal training, holding a new ISSA certification. Keen to bring interpersonal skills, enthusiasm for fitness, and commitment to client success to a dynamic gym environment. Ready to inspire and guide clients through effective workout routines tailored to their needs.
Specialized training
Certified Personal Trainer with specialized training in strength and conditioning looking for an opportunity at a forward-thinking fitness center. Passionate about using advanced strength training techniques and personalized coaching methods to help clients reach their physical potential safely and effectively.
Use our Resume Builder to create a strong personal trainer resume. It’s easy to use and helps you highlight your skills and certifications.
Include relevant certifications and training
It’s important to list certifications, licenses, and training modules you’ve completed because these credentials show you have the skills and knowledge to do the job. They also prove that you’re committed to your profession and stay updated with industry standards. Clients and employers often look for these qualifications to ensure they are hiring someone qualified.
Create a dedicated “Certifications” section on your resume. Here are three personal trainer credentials we often see in this section:
- Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- CPR/AED Certified
Place this section near the top, right after your education section. List each certification clearly, including the name of the certifying organization and the date you received it. By organizing your certifications in this way, you make it easy for employers to see your qualifications at a glance.
Example of a certifications section
Certified Personal Trainer
Issued by: National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Expires 2025
CPR/AED Certification
Issued by: American Red Cross
Expires 2024
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Issued by: National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Issued 2022
Nutrition Coach Certification
Issued by: Precision Nutrition
Issued 2023
Yoga Instructor Certification
Issued by: Yoga Alliance
Issued 2021
If a job requires specific certifications, a combination resume helps you stand out by showcasing your qualifications and key skills upfront while still highlighting your work experience.
Showcase your work experience
Highlighting your relevant work experience on a resume is essential for a personal trainer. This allows potential employers to recognize your skills, expertise, and the results you’ve achieved in previous roles. To make your work history easy to read, list your roles in reverse chronological order by starting with your most recent job. Include details such as job title, employer name, location, and employment dates.
Use bullet points to clearly and concisely describe your duties. Start each bullet point with an action verb to demonstrate what you accomplished. For example, instead of “responsible for creating fitness plans,” you should write “designed customized fitness programs.”
Additionally, highlight measurable outcomes whenever possible to show your impact, like “Increased client retention rate by 20% through personalized training sessions.”
Let’s look at an example.
5 personal trainer work history bullet points
- Developed personalized fitness programs for over 50 clients, resulting in an average client satisfaction score of 95%.
- Increased gym membership retention by 20% through targeted fitness challenges and community engagement initiatives.
- Conducted over 200 group fitness classes, boosting class attendance rates by 30% within six months.
- Implemented a new training regimen that improved client strength and endurance metrics by 25% over three months.
- Mentored and trained five junior personal trainers, enhancing their client management skills and overall performance.
Boost your resume’s visibility by using keywords from the job listing to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catch recruiters’ eyes.
Match your resume with the job description
Customizing a resume to match job descriptions is crucial as it helps you stand out to employers and pass through their tracking systems. These systems scan resumes for specific keywords that align with the job description. Without these keywords, your resume might not be viewed by a human.
To customize your resume, start by identifying key terms from the job posting, focusing on skills, qualifications, and duties mentioned. For instance, if the ad highlights “designing personalized fitness plans” and “motivating clients,” ensure these phrases appear in your resume.
Integrate these terms naturally into your resume. Rephrase them to fit your experience rather than copying directly. For example, if a job description states “create individualized workout routines,” you might write: “Designed customized workout programs for diverse client needs.” This demonstrates relevant skills and enhances ATS-friendly resume compatibility.
Prominently list relevant skills and use clear sections with bold headings like “Skills.” Highlight achievements using numbers or results when possible, such as “Increased client retention by 20% through effective motivation techniques.” This approach makes your resume both ATS-friendly and appealing to hiring managers.
Use our ATS Resume Checker to find and fix problems on your resume. This tool helps you get noticed by employers!
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my personal trainer resume?
Including a cover letter with your personal trainer resume can definitely give you an edge. It allows you to highlight your passion for fitness, detail any specialized training or certifications, and share success stories from helping clients achieve their goals. This is your chance to show potential employers why you’re the perfect fit for their team beyond what’s on your resume. Use tools like the Cover Letter Generator to get started.
For example, if the gym or fitness center focuses on specific programs like weight loss, bodybuilding, or senior fitness, mention relevant experiences and how you’ve successfully worked in those areas. Also, addressing the hiring manager by name and showing genuine enthusiasm for their facility can make a great impression. You can find more tips from these cover letter examples.
A well-crafted cover letter demonstrates professionalism and commitment—qualities that are highly valued in a personal trainer.
How long should a personal trainer’s resume be?
For a personal trainer, the resume length should typically be one page to maintain focus, helping employers quickly assess your qualifications. Emphasize key aspects such as certifications, relevant experience, and specialized skills. If you possess extensive experience or additional credentials, a two-page resume is acceptable. Prioritize recent roles and notable fitness training achievements to ensure your resume remains standout and readable.
How do you write a personal trainer resume with no experience?
If you’re just starting as a personal trainer and have no formal work experience, focus on highlighting your education, certifications, and any relevant skills or volunteer work. For guidance, check out this resume with no experience. Start by listing any degrees or courses related to fitness and health. Be sure to include your certifications like CPT (Certified Personal Trainer) from recognized organizations such as NASM, ACE, or ISSA.
Next, emphasize practical experience gained during your certification process or through internships. Describe specific training techniques you’ve learned and any hands-on practice you’ve had with clients. Highlight transferable skills from other jobs or activities that are relevant to personal training – things like customer service, communication skills, motivation techniques, and knowledge of nutrition.
Don’t forget to mention any volunteer work where you may have led group fitness classes or coached sports teams. Lastly, include a section for soft skills like enthusiasm, dedication to health and fitness, and the ability to inspire others. Tailoring your resume this way will show potential employers that you’re ready to jump into the role of a personal trainer.
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Nilda Melissa is a Certified Professional Resume Writer who has written for The Washington Post and Latina Style Magazine. She has a master's in Journalism from Columbia University and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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