Personal Trainer

An athletic professional who provides personal fitness training and other types of wellness support to an individual and/or family.

The Role of a Personal Trainer

A Personal Trainer is a fitness expert that designs personalized exercise programs and supports an individual to achieve their health and wellness goals.

A Personal Trainer is a dedicated fitness coach that specializes in creating and delivering safe and effective exercise programs for an individual and his or her family. Principals often hire their own Personal Trainer so they (and their family) have unrestricted access to a trainer, who can then help them implement a custom health and wellness program as they work towards their specific fitness goals.

The primary responsibilities of a Personal Trainer include assessing the client’s needs, goals and preferences, designing and implementing a personalized exercise plan, instructing and motivating the client during workouts, monitoring the client’s progress and feedback, and modifying the program as needed. A Personal Trainer may also provide advice on nutrition, lifestyle and injury prevention.

To become a Personal Trainer, one needs to have a passion for fitness and a desire to help others. A Personal Trainer should also have a high level of knowledge and skill in exercise science, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and kinesiology. A Personal Trainer should have a nationally recognized certification from an accredited organization.

Job Description

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

The only formal education requirement for a Personal Trainer is a high school degree or equivalent.

While college is not a requirement in this role, certain degrees, especially those in sciences such as anatomy/physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, health or nutrition are considered highly valuable in the physical fitness and health & wellness industries.

A Personal Trainer should have 3+ years’ experience in personal training/fitness or a related field, as well as an ability to design and implement safe and effective workout programs that cater to the goals of various clientele. Professional experience should include assessing, instructing, motivating and monitoring client progression, either in a gym, health club, sports center or corporate setting.

SKILLS

Ability to design and implement safe and effective workout programs for principal(s) with various goals
Ability to assess, instruct, motivate and monitor clients, as well as adjusting workout programs according to a principal’s feedback and progress
Natural athleticism to demonstrate exercises and guide principal(s) through a workout
Working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nutrition and exercise science
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; capable of being discreet and respecting the client’s privacy at all times
Strong knowledge of different types of conditioning as well as experience operating a wide range of fitness equipment

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Experienced Personal Trainers should be certified from an accredited fitness institution, however, there is no national legal restriction on the personal training industry, except in Washington, D.C., where Personal Trainers are required to register. Most accredited institutions require a high school diploma, CPR and AED certification and some type of written and physical examination. Examples of organizations that offer personal trainer certifications include:

ACE (American Council on Exercise)
NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)
ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)
NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)

The United States Registry of Exercise Professionals (USREPS) is the official registry of exercise professionals in the U.S. and is a good resource for verifying credentials.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A Personal Trainer’s responsibilities depend entirely on the executive’s goals for their overall health and wellness, as well as their availability of time and resources. For example, an executive who travels frequently will require more flexibility than someone who has a fixed schedule and location. Common duties of a Personal Trainer include:

Assessing fitness level, mobility, flexibility and overall health condition, and creating a personalized workout and nutrition plan
Instructing and motivating the principal during training sessions and ensuring that they are exercising safely and effectively
Monitoring and tracking progress and results, and adjusting their workout and nutrition program as needed
Educating and advising the executive on a variety of fitness, wellness, and injury prevention topics, and providing them with relevant resources and coaching
Coordinating and working with other health or fitness professionals, such as nutritionists, physiotherapists and doctors, to provide holistic and comprehensive wellness services
Keeping abreast of the latest fitness trends and best practices, and incorporating them into the principal’s workout and nutrition plans, as appropriate
Building a positive and trusting relationship while respecting a principal’s privacy and confidentiality
Managing and scheduling training sessions with the principal, communicating consistently throughout the day or week.
Supporting the principal’s personal and professional goals by providing them with feedback and encouragement

ATTRIBUTES

Natural athleticism

As the saying goes — actions speak louder than words — a Personal Trainer should not only tell their principal what to do, but also show them how to do it. A Personal Trainer that is naturally athletic will be capable of demonstrating correct technique, as well as adding the option of partner exercises to a principal’s workout. A Personal Trainer with athletic interests of their own can also inspire and challenge a principal to try new and varied workouts or sports, thus improving their own physical abilities and skills.

Adaptable

Principals often have diverse and changing fitness goals, preferences, and needs, which require a personal trainer who can create personalized and customized training plans that suit their abilities and interests. Personal Trainers must be well-versed in the latest workout trends and techniques, and incorporate them in their workout routines. A Personal Trainer should also be able to adapt and adjust their workouts to different settings, such as the principal’s home, office or travel destination.

Motivation skills

Personal Trainers should be naturally motivating, with an ability to inspire and support a principal to achieve their fitness goals. Principals often have busy and demanding schedules, which can make it challenging for them to stay consistent and committed to their workouts. A Personal Trainer must be able to provide positive feedback, reinforcement and recognition to a principal, helping them overcome any obstacles or setbacks that they may face. A Personal Trainer must also be able to create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for their principal, and use various strategies to keep them engaged with each workout.

Active listening

A Personal Trainer should be able to communicate clearly and concisely with a principal, providing them with relevant and accurate feedback and guidance. A Personal Trainer should also be a strong active listener; someone that is gifted at figuring out what another person needs and doesn’t simply try to insert their own interests on them. A Personal Trainer should also be able to collaborate and coordinate with other staff, such as doctors, nutritionists, and other staff and leverage their expertise and insights.

COMPENSATION

The compensation range for a Personal Trainer depends on whether they work part-time or full-time. Full-time Personal Trainers generally earn between $70,000 – $100,000, while part-time Personal Trainers are compensated based on the number of hours worked (generally $75 – 250/hr).

Components of a full-time Personal Trainer’s compensation include:

Base salary

A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon at the time of hiring. A Personal Trainer’s base salary varies depending on the scope of their work, the hours and flexibility required in their role and the experience and qualifications of the employee.

Discretionary Bonus

Annual bonuses are variable amounts based on an individual’s performance. The percentage of compensation paid as a salary versus a bonus is entirely up to the employer, but is typically in the range of a 80-90% salary/10 – 20% bonus split. The most common reason for a higher bonus percentage is the intention to tie an employee’s performance to their overall compensation. This allows an employer to set strategic goals during the employee’s annual performance evaluation, with the payout of their bonus based on them completing stated goals.

STANDARD BENEFITS

Full-time Personal Trainers often receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings and paid vacation time, depending on the terms of their employment. The provision of these benefits may vary depending on the principal, overall hours worked, and whether the role is short-term or long-term in nature. Personal Trainers that do receive benefits typically have access to the following corporate style benefits:

Medical, dental and vision

Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.

Retirement savings account

401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.

Paid time off

PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.

Travel/miscellaneous expenses

Expenses incurred when travelling or conducting business on behalf of the principal(s). Expenses may include transportation, accommodations, meals and other costs related to business travel and may be reimbursed or covered by an allowance or budget.

OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"

Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:

Education

Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children

Professional development

Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications

Health and wellness

Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered at the office
Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance

Financial counseling
Legal advice
Transportation reimbursement or allowance

Charity

Volunteer opportunities
PTO days for community service
Charitable match program

Family benefits

On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
Parental and family medical leave

Workplace

Remote work/flexible hours
Casual work attire
Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards

REPORT STRUCTURE

A Personal Trainer typically reports:

Directly to the principal(s)
To other designated staff, such as a Chief of Staff, Executive/Personal Assistant, HR Director, etc.

Have Questions?

Strength, Endurance, and Wellness

A Personal Trainer provides customized fitness programs designed to help clients achieve their health and wellness goals efficiently and safely. With expertise in strength training, endurance, mobility, and injury prevention, they create tailored workouts that fit your lifestyle. Their motivation and accountability ensure consistent progress toward peak physical performance.

Ready to optimize your health with personalized training? Let us connect you with a fitness expert who understands your body’s unique needs.

“Your fitness journey deserves a trainer who will push you while keeping you inspired. We place Personal Trainers who combine expertise with motivation, ensuring every session moves you closer to your goals.”

Adam Cook

Managing Director, Old State Staffing

The Right Trainer Makes All the Difference

Why You Should Consider a Personal Trainer

A Personal Trainer designs and implements customized fitness programs to help clients reach their peak performance. They provide motivation, accountability, and expert knowledge to ensure safe and effective workouts. A Personal Trainer can help: