What is a fitness trainer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Greg Brown
introduction image

The primary job function of a fitness trainer is to help their clients achieve their fitness goals in a safe and healthy manner. Fitness trainers typically work in gyms, but they may also offer one-on-one services to private clients.

Alternatively, they may also run their own businesses offering fitness programs to customers. The duties of a fitness trainer include evaluating clients' physiques, creating tailor-made programs based on client needs, conducting workout or training sessions, and monitoring the progress of their clients. They also provide basic nutritional advice to help clients lose, gain, or maintain their weight.

A fitness trainer usually has a degree in kinesiology, physical education, sports science, or something similar. However, it is possible to qualify for this job with only a high school diploma as long as one has adequate experience in fitness training. And, of course, it is an unsaid rule that a fitness trainer must also have a healthy or "fit" physique to serve as a great example for their clients.

What general advice would you give to a Fitness Trainer?

G

Greg Brown

Professor , Dept. of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences, University of Nebraska - Kearney

A lot of undergraduate students in Kinesiology are planning to move on to post-graduate education in allied health (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, etc.) so their career advice will come from those allied health professionals. For those students going into a career right out of their undergraduate program, typically in the health and fitness industry (e.g. personal training, strength & conditioning, health coaching, corporate wellness), they need to keep an eye on budding trends in the industry and not jump on the latest fad. Basically, a trend is something that is new or innovative that also has staying power and will still be viable in a few years. Fads often seem too good to be true and only last a short time before fading away. Think of wearable technology as a trend while Tae Bo was more of a fad.
ScoreFitness TrainerUS Average
Salary
2.2

Avg. Salary $28,702

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
4.4

Growth Rate 19%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.49%

Asian 5.11%

Black or African American 7.05%

Hispanic or Latino 10.64%

Unknown 5.40%

White 71.31%

Gender

female 40.16%

male 59.84%

Age - 36
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36
Stress Level
4.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
5.5

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Fitness Trainer career paths

Key steps to become a fitness trainer

  1. Explore fitness trainer education requirements

    Most common fitness trainer degrees

    Bachelor's

    59.4 %

    Associate

    16.5 %

    High School Diploma

    9.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific fitness trainer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Customer Service30.99%
    Front Desk27.63%
    CPR24.38%
    Cleanliness5.73%
    Physical Fitness1.57%
  3. Complete relevant fitness trainer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New fitness trainers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a fitness trainer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real fitness trainer resumes.
  4. Gain additional fitness trainer certifications

    Fitness trainer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific fitness trainer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for fitness trainers include Certified Personal Trainer and Water Fitness Trainer (WFT).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research fitness trainer duties and responsibilities

    • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
    • Monitor the swimming area and CPR certify.
    • Certify for CPR and a and always have first aid available.
    • Improve the cleanliness of the community recreations centers by implementing an hourly maintenance and cleaning schedule.
  6. Prepare your fitness trainer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your fitness trainer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a fitness trainer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Fitness Trainer Resume templates

    Build a professional Fitness Trainer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Fitness Trainer resume.
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  7. Apply for fitness trainer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a fitness trainer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Fitness Trainer Job

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Average fitness trainer salary

The average Fitness Trainer salary in the United States is $28,702 per year or $14 per hour. Fitness trainer salaries range between $19,000 and $41,000 per year.

Average Fitness Trainer Salary
$28,702 Yearly
$13.80 hourly

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How do fitness trainers rate their job?

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Fitness Trainer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021
Pros

No punching a time clock. Ability to set own hours - although you’ll make more if you are flexible with client availabilities. Rewarding helping others get healthier and seeing the positive outcomes in their fitness/health.

Cons

Early mornings and late evenings - midday naps are often needed. Typically need to work Saturdays. People think that a personal trainer’s time is worthless because they rarely call to cancel… no-shows are always happening and it really sucks for the trainer, especially since it happens so often.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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