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Personal trainers are fitness professionals who work with individuals to help them achieve their health and fitness goals. They develop personalized exercise plans based on clients' needs and abilities, provide guidance on nutrition and lifestyle changes, and motivate clients to stay committed to their fitness routines. They may work in gyms, fitness studios, or as independent contractors, and typically hold certifications from accredited organizations.
Vice President, Communications, IHRSA, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association
Avg. Salary $37,214
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 19%
Growth Rate 0.3%
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%
Genderfemale 36.68%
male 63.32%
Age - 36American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 36Stress level is moderate
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Pros
Fulfilling work helping people achieve their fitness goals
Ability to set your own schedule and work independently
Constantly learning and staying up-to-date on the latest fitness trends and techniques
Ability to improve your own fitness level while helping others
Opportunity to positively impact people's lives by promoting healthy habits
Cons
Requires significant time and effort to build a client base
Inconsistent income, especially when starting out
Requires extensive knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and exercise science
May require long hours, including early mornings or late evenings
May encounter difficult or challenging clients who don't follow through with their fitness goals
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Skills![]() ![]() | Percentages![]() ![]() |
---|---|
CPR | 23.40% |
Customer Service | 20.52% |
Resuscitation | 6.71% |
Fitness Programs | 6.64% |
NASM | 5.29% |
Personal 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 personal trainer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for personal trainers include Certified Personal Trainer and Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT).
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your personal 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 personal trainer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Now it's time to start searching for a personal trainer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
Are you a Personal Trainer?
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The average Personal Trainer salary in the United States is $37,214 per year or $18 per hour. Personal trainer salaries range between $26,000 and $53,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
Training and operating fitness department
Running out of time to help obtain a clean and safe environment in the gym
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.
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.
Career path is niche. Trainers are not getting high pay and great attention