Gym Instructor Resume Guide
Gym instructors work at gyms and help people to stay healthy by working out. They may teach group classes or give private instruction. Some gym instructors also design workout programs for their clients.
You’re a whiz at helping people achieve their fitness goals, but gym managers don’t know who you are. To get your name on their radar, you must write a resume that catches their eye and makes them want to learn more about you.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Gym Instructor Resume Sample
Manley Pfannerstill
Gym Instructor
[email protected]
454-478-7422
linkedin.com/in/manley-pfannerstill
Summary
Detail-oriented and certified gym instructor with 5+ years of experience in helping people reach their fitness goals. Seeking a challenging and rewarding position at ABC to help others achieve a healthier lifestyle. At XYZ, increased clientele by 30% due to innovative and effective personal training methods.
Experience
Gym Instructor, Company ABC
San Diego, Jan 2018 – Present
- Structured and led group fitness classes of up to 30 participants, ensuring that all attendees worked out safely and effectively.
- Spearheaded the development of a new line of workout programs which helped increase gym membership by 10%.
- Accurately assessed each client’s fitness level and goals, then created customized workout plans accordingly.
- Supervised a team of 5 personal trainers, conducting regular performance reviews and offering feedback/suggestions for improvement.
- Participated in weekly staff meetings to discuss new ideas for improving customer satisfaction levels.
Gym Instructor, Company XYZ
Miami, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Assessed each client’s fitness level and health condition to develop an effective workout routine that met their individual needs.
- Streamlined the sign-in process by implementing a new online system that saved an average of 5 minutes per client.
- Effectively communicated with clients to ensure they understood how to properly perform each exercise and stay safe while working out.
- Facilitated a smooth flow of traffic in the gym by strategically placing equipment and designing efficient workout circuits.
- Reduced customer complaints by 50% after instituting a new policy that allowed for early cancellations without penalty.
Skills
- Fitness
- Exercise
- Health
- Wellness
- Nutrition
- Strength Training
- Cardio
- Yoga
- Pilates
Education
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Group Fitness Instructor Certification
American Council on Exercise
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
The summary/objective at the top of your resume is like a teaser for the rest of your document – it should give the employer an overview of your skills and experience as a gym instructor.
In this section, you can highlight your best qualities. For example, you could mention the different types of fitness classes you’re certified to teach, how long you’ve been working in the industry, and what kind of results your students have achieved under your guidance.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Passionate and certified gym instructor with more than 2 years of experience helping people of all fitness levels reach their goals. Highly skilled in designing and leading group fitness classes, as well as providing one-on-one instruction and support. Committed to creating a positive and inclusive environment that encourages everyone to get moving and improve their health.
Enthusiastic gym instructor with 6+ years of experience motivating people to stay active and improve their quality of life. At DEF, increased clientele by 20% through creative and challenging group fitness classes. Proven ability to build relationships and rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Energetic and certified gym instructor with 2+ years of experience teaching group fitness classes and providing one-on-one training to members of all ages and abilities. Proven ability to engage students, create a positive environment, and deliver results. Seeking to leverage excellent people skills to become the next head trainer at ABC Gym.
Diligent and certified gym instructor with over 4 years of experience working in a fast-paced environment. Achieved outstanding results by helping clients reach their fitness goals and improve their quality of life. Committed to providing excellent customer service and motivating others to lead a healthy lifestyle. Seeking to leverage my skills and knowledge to contribute to the success of your organization.
Driven and experienced gym instructor with a passion for helping people reach their fitness goals. 5+ years of experience in the industry, including working 1-on-1 with clients and leading group fitness classes. In 2019, helped 100 clients lose an average of 10 pounds each. Achieved “Gym Instructor of the Year” award in 2020.
Reliable and passionate gym instructor with 2 years of experience working in a corporate fitness center. Seeking to leverage my knowledge of exercise science and health promotion to help people achieve their fitness goals at ABC. At XYZ, increased membership by 10% through the creation of innovative group fitness classes.
Accomplished gym instructor with more than five years of experience helping individuals reach their fitness goals. In 2019, helped 100 gym-goers lose an average of 12 pounds each over the course of three months. Skilled in developing workout plans and providing one-on-one instruction to clients of all ages and abilities. Energetic and motivated to help ABC members achieve their health aspirations.
Talented gym instructor with 5+ years of experience in helping people reach their fitness goals. Highly skilled in providing customized workout programs and nutritional advice to help people achieve optimal results. Seeking to leverage my skills and knowledge to contribute to the success of ABC gym. At XYZ, increased membership by 10% through effective sales techniques and customer service.
Seasoned gym instructor with 8+ years of experience helping people of all fitness levels achieve their health and wellness goals. Efficiently managed up to 50 clients per day while providing expert guidance on workout routines, nutrition, and injury prevention. At ABC Gym, increased retention rates by 12% through the development and implementation of a new client onboarding program.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience section, you detail your employment history. This should be written in reverse chronological order, which means that your most recent job is listed first.
You’ll want to use bullet points primarily in this section; they make it easier for the reader to take in the information you’re trying to communicate. When writing each bullet point, focus on providing detail about what you did and the results that were achieved.
For example, instead of saying “Taught group fitness classes,” you could say, “Created engaging and effective workout plans for a variety of fitness levels; taught an average of 15 classes per week with up to 30 participants.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Taught
- Guided
- Trained
- Encouraged
- Motivated
- Assisted
- Demonstrated
- Led
- Instructed
- Supervised
- Managed
- Created
- Implemented
- Planned
- Organized
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Taught 45-minute group fitness classes for up to 30 participants at a time, including strength training, cardio intervals, yoga and spin cycling.
- Coordinated with other instructors to develop creative new class routines that would maintain student interest and engagement; saw a 12% increase in attendance over 6 months in classes I led.
- Demonstrated proper form and technique for all exercises while providing encouragement and motivation to students of all levels; helped 5 individuals lose a combined total of 50lbs over 3 months.
- Mentored 2 new hires on teaching methods, customer service and maintaining a safe environment; both employees received positive feedback from customers within the first month of instruction.
- Resourcefully utilized available equipment to create unique workout experiences for members, such as using resistance bands for upper body work during spin classes or adding weight vest to morning runs.
- Motivated gym-goers to stay on track with their fitness goals by providing them with customized workout routines and one-on-one coaching.
- Independently created and compiled a database of over 500 exercises, stretches and warm-up/cool-down routines for use during personal training sessions.
- Created custom nutrition plans for clients based on their individual dietary needs and preferences, helping them to lose an average of 10lbs in 3 months.
- Compiled weekly reports detailing the progress made by each client under my care, highlighting areas of improvement as well as any potential health concerns.
- Trained new gym instructors in proper exercise form and technique, as well as how to create effective workout routines for different skill levels.
- Implemented a new fitness regime that helped 100+ members lose a combined total of 1,000 lbs in 6 months.
- Introduced 10+ innovative workout routines that improved member satisfaction by 25%.
- Reliably led group fitness classes for up to 50 people at a time, 5 times a week.
- Led weekly one-on-one sessions with clients to help them reach their fitness goals.
- Planned and organized monthly charity fitness events that raised $5,000 for local organizations over the course of 2 years.
- Developed customized workout routines for over 100 clients, helping them achieve their fitness goals.
- Represented the gym in local competitions and events, winning first place 3 times.
- Revised the current training program to include new exercises and warm-up/cool-down routines, resulting in a 20% increase in client satisfaction.
- Utilized different gym equipment and machines to create a variety of workouts that are safe and effective for all levels of fitness.
- Meticulously kept track of each client’s progress, providing feedback and making necessary adjustments to their workout routine as needed.
- Optimized clients’ workout routines to help them achieve their fitness goals more quickly, while reducing the risk of injury.
- Organized and led group exercise classes (such as yoga, spin, circuit training, etc.), helping participants to improve their fitness levels and overall wellbeing.
- Presented workshops on topics such as nutrition, weight loss and stress management for up to 50 people at a time.
- Guided clients through one-on-one personal training sessions, providing motivation and support throughout.
- Improved the efficiency of the gym floor layout, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction.
- Reorganized the equipment storage room, cutting down on search time for staff by 25%.
- Managed a team of 5 personal trainers, ensuring that all client appointments were met and that targets were achieved.
- Instructed group fitness classes 3 times a week, with an average class size of 20 participants.
- Consistently provided high-quality service to gym members, as evidenced by the 95% retention rate over 6 months.
- Actively engaged with gym members to identify their fitness goals and formulate workout plans to help them achieve those goals.
- Achieved a 97% satisfaction rating from gym members in the last quarter, based on feedback collected through surveys and one-on-one interviews.
- Advised gym members on which exercises to perform, how many repetitions to do, and how much weight to lift; helped them stay motivated and avoid injuries.
- Expedited the sign-up process for new gym members by gathering all necessary information and completing paperwork ahead of time.
- Demonstrated excellent customer service skills by greeting each member by name when they came into the gym and addressing any concerns they had in a timely manner.
- Prepared and delivered over 50 fitness classes per week, including aerobics, spin cycling, yoga and Pilates.
- Substantially increased membership numbers by implementing creative marketing initiatives and providing excellent customer service.
- Encouraged and motivated members to reach their fitness goals through one-on-one consultations and setting up personalized workout programs.
- Assisted in the smooth running of the gym by performing administrative tasks such as scheduling classes, handling customer inquiries and maintaining equipment inventory levels.
3. Skills
Skills required for a gym instructor job will depend on the employer. Some gyms place more emphasis on customer service, while others focus more on personal training. As such, you want to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job that you are applying for.
The reason this is important is because many employers now use applicant tracking systems (computer programs that scan resumes and match them with job requirements). These systems often look for specific keywords, so if your resume doesn’t include them, it may be filtered out.
In addition to just listing skills in this section of your resume, try to highlight the most relevant ones in other sections as well. For example, you could mention customer service experience in the experience section or discuss fitness certifications in the education section.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Agility
- Balance
- Barre
- Cardio
- Coordination
- CrossFit
- Endurance
- Exercise
- Fitness
- Flexibility
- Functional Training
- Group Fitness
- Health
- Injury Prevention
- Kettlebells
- Mental Toughness
- Muscle Gain
- Nutrition
- Personal Training
- Pilates
- Power
- Reaction Time
- Speed
- Spin
- Sport-specific Training
- Strength Training
- TRX
- Weight Loss
- Wellness
- Yoga
4. Education
Mentioning your education on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience yet, list your education below your resume objective. However, if you’ve been working as a gym instructor for years with plenty of different responsibilities to showcase, omitting the education section is perfectly fine.
If an education section is included, mention courses related to the gym instructor job you are applying for such as “Courses included Physical Education Theory & Methods, Movement Science and Health.”
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are always impressive to potential employers as they show that you have put in extra effort to develop your skills in a particular area. If you have any industry-specific certifications, make sure to include them in this section of your resume.
Additionally, if you have taken any professional development courses relevant to the job you are applying for, listing them here would also be beneficial.
Group Fitness Instructor Certification
American Council on Exercise
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Manley Pfannerstill, this would be Manley-Pfannerstill-resume.pdf or Manley-Pfannerstill-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Including a cover letter with your job application is an excellent way to demonstrate your interest in the role and company, as well as highlight your skills and suitability for the position.
A cover letter typically consists of 2 to 4 paragraphs, and should be separate from your resume. It’s an opportunity for you to introduce yourself, elaborate on why you’re a good fit for the job, and explain anything that might not be clear from your resume alone.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Jacynthe,
I am writing to apply for the position of Gym Instructor at your fitness center. I am a certified personal trainer with 3 years of experience working with clients of all ages and abilities. I am passionate about helping people reach their fitness goals, and I believe that your facility is the perfect place for me to continue doing what I love.
In my previous role as a personal trainer at XYZ Fitness, I worked one-on-one with clients to create individualized workout plans that helped them achieve their specific goals. I also led group fitness classes on a variety of topics, including weight loss, strength training, and cardiovascular health. My ability to engage and motivate large groups will be an asset in leading your gym’s group exercise classes.
I am certified in CPR/AED/First Aid and have experience working with special populations, such as seniors and those recovering from injuries or illnesses. In addition, I have a strong knowledge of nutrition and can provide valuable advice to members who are looking to improve their overall health and wellness.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your organization. Please contact me at [phone number] or [email address] to schedule a time for us to meet. Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
[Your name]