Personal Trainer CV: Example & Tips

Fitness instructor CV example

If you’re applying for an instructor role, you should show your ability to deliver results in both group and one-on-one settings.

Some good ways to do so include highlighting client retention, consistently high class attendance, and your approach to designing and tracking fitness programmes.

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How to write an engaging personal trainer CV

If you’re pursuing a career in personal training, you’ve picked a good time. The UK’s fitness industry grew by 9.3% from 2024 to 2025 as more people prioritise their health and wellness.

Even so, the best personal trainer jobs are highly competitive. You’ll need your CV to be in top form to secure an interview.

So we’ve put together four tips on how to write an effective CV:

1. Make a strong impression with your personal training CV profile

Your personal statement appears at the top of your CV and summarises the key information on your CV. To grab the employer’s attention, you need to address the employer’s specific needs.

In 3–5 sentences, outline your relevant work experience, qualifications, and critical skills using action verbs that leap off the page. To align your personal statement with the position you’re applying for, reuse any keywords from the job description that apply to your skill set.

Here’s a well-written personal trainer profile example:

Enthusiastic personal trainer with 3+ years of experience in fitness and coaching. Recognised for clear and engaging training style, close attention to client needs and ability, and friendly demeanour. British Gymnastics-certified General Gymnastics Level 2 coach with an expert understanding of nutrition, physiology, and exercise psychology. Seeking a personal trainer position with opportunities for advancement.

2. Include the right personal trainer skills

Being a great personal trainer takes more than physical strength and stamina. Employers will look for various skills on your CV, including teaching strategies, sales, administration, and an understanding of nutrition and physiology.

You’ll want to include both hard skills and soft skills. Common skills for personal trainer jobs include the following:

3. Include any relevant PT certifications

List your relevant certifications in the order that you received them, starting with the most recent one.

You’ll need a Level 3 personal training qualification to work legally as a PT in the UK, ideally certified by UK Coaching or the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

Level 3 personal training is a requirement for almost all PT work, but most employers will also want to see a first aid certificate, ideally including CPR.

Here’s an example of how to format certifications on your personal trainer CV:

Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebells
Active IQ
14 March 20XX
Bristol

4. Demonstrate relevant PT work experience

Include any relevant work experience related to the job—and that doesn’t just mean fitness industry jobs. Sales, mentorship, administration, and customer service are all relevant for PT jobs.

Maximise your work experience by writing about achievements instead of just responsibilities. Include hard numbers to give your employer a vivid picture of what you can achieve. For example, instead of writing:

Helped a client lose weight

Write something like:

Wrote a personalised plan to help a client achieve a 4-kg weight-loss goal over 4 months

You can expand on these details when you make a cover letter to go with your CV.

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