Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.
Personal trainer CV template (text format)
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Enthusiastic personal trainer with 6+ 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.
KEY SKILLS
- Instructing
- Active listening
- Learning strategies
- Speech clarity
- Time management
- Monitoring (groups and individuals)
- Proficient in accounting software (Intuit QuickBooks)
- Microsoft Office
CERTIFICATIONS
Level 3 Personal Fitness
UK Coaching
March 20XX
London
General Gymnastics Level 2
British Gymnastics
June 20XX
Cardiff
EDUCATION
Cardiff Metropolitan University (20XX–20XX)
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (2:1)
Relevant Modules: Biomechanics of Human Movement, Nutrition, Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Physiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Strength and Conditioning for SES
St James School, Exeter (20XX-20XX)
- A-levels: Business Studies (B), Physical Education (B), Physics (B)
- GCSEs: 10 A*–C including Maths, English Language, PE, and ICT
WORK EXPERIENCE
Sunrise Fitness, Edinburgh
Group Instructor, March 20XX – Present
- Lead and assist in various mobility and dance classes, including Pilates, Zumba, and hip health
- Mentor groups of 5–15 people, identifying individual needs and helping set personal exercise and fitness goals
- Design suitable classes for different age and fitness groups, including teenagers, pregnant people, and elderly people
- Help schedule classes, organise group class timetables, and coordinate promotional activities
- Promote supplements and merchandise to customers, and assist at the gym’s smoothie bar
Tumble Acrobatics, Cardiff
Assistant Gymnastics Coach, October 20XX – March 20XX
- Helped lead classes of 3–10 children, from beginner to advanced
- Planned, organised, and conducted practice sessions for children aged 6–16
- Explained and enforced safety rules and regulations, and ensured safe use of equipment
- Chaperoned groups on trips to local tournaments
- Kept abreast of changing rules and techniques supported by British Gymnastics
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
- Hiking enthusiast, member of Edinburgh Young Walkers
- Amateur guitarist
- Enjoy socialising with friends
How to write an engaging personal trainer CV
Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a CV in a way that best emphasises your strengths.
If you’re pursuing a career in personal training, you’ve picked a good time. According to Health Club Management, the UK’s fitness market grew by 11.5% from 2022 to 2023 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 six tips on how to write an effective personal trainer 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, it needs to address their specific skill needs as an employer.
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:
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:
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- CPR
- First aid
- Fitness expertise
- Knowledge of human anatomy
- Public speaking
- Counselling
- Sales
- Interpersonal skills
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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:
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.
More CV & Cover Letter Examples:
