Fitness Instructor CV Example + 2024 Guide

Sobhan Mohmand, Career Expert          3 Oct 2023

This guide has been created to give you all the necessary information, examples and tips to help you write your perfect fitness instructor CV that will introduce you as an expert in the field of fitness and well-being and secure more job interviews.

• Fitness instructor CV example
• Download CV template (Word format)
• How to structure and format your CV
• How to write a perfect CV (a step-by-step guide)
• Personal profile statement example
• Duties to add to your CV
• Useful skills to add to your CV
• Tips on making your CV more effective

CV example

Please note: the above CV Example is presented in the UK format and layout.

Preview

What makes this CV effective?

• Effective Layout: The CV employs an effective layout, ensuring that information is presented in a logical and user-friendly manner.
• Contact Information: Contact details are prominently displayed at the top of the CV, making it easy for employers to reach out.
• Consistency: There is a consistent format and style used throughout the CV, creating a polished and cohesive document.
• Relevant Hobbies and Interests: The candidate includes hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job, showcasing a well-rounded personality.

Download CV template

Download

Are you writing your CV from scratch or is your CV template outdated? Download this professional CV template to impress employers!

• Free
• Save time and effort
• Guaranteed correct CV structure
• Word document (.docx) format
• Fully customisable

How to save your CV as a PDF document:

• Click on File > Save As > Select “PDF” from the drop-down menu.

How to structure and format your CV

• Keep things short: It is essential that you make your CV short and sweet; the maximum length of your CV should be 2 A4 pages. Studies have shown that recruiters tend to look at CVs for no more than 30 seconds, so any CV that is long-winded or tedious will be rejected.
• Use bullet points and short sentences instead of long paragraphs.
• Use a proper heading: Don’t write “CV” or “Curriculum Vitae” at the top of your CV, instead make your name its heading. Scroll down to see an example of this.
• Use sections: Divide your CV into various sections with labels (e.g. personal profile, education, employment, etc.) and clearly define the beginning and end of each section. You can achieve this by increasing the font of the headings and using appropriate spacing gaps between sections.
• Follow a standard CV structure: All CVs differ from each other slightly in the ordering of the sections but they should all follow a structure that recruiters are familiar with. A typical structure of a CV would first include the personal details section followed by a personal profile, achievements, education, employment, skills, hobbies and references. Depending on your level of work experience, you could place your employment section before the education section if that is your stronger selling point.

How to write a Fitness Instructor CV (step-by-step guide)

Personal details

At the top of your CV, start by writing your personal details such as your full name, address, phone number and email address.

• Kevin Clarke
• 24 Milestone Road, Cambridge, CU2 83F
• Mob: 07639983729       Email: [email protected]

Personal profile

Next, write a compelling personal profile statement tailored to the job of a fitness instructor. Your personal profile tells the employer more about your skills, personal qualities, relevant work experience and career ambitions.

Guidelines for writing a personal profile:

• Keep it short and to the point (maximum 3-4 sentences long)
• Focus on real-world examples rather than vague general statements
• Mention facts and figures, for example; I developed and delivered x number of fitness programs, I helped x number of clients with achieving their goals, I have x number of years experience of working in the fitness industry, etc.

Personal profile example:

I am a personal trainer and fitness instructor with over 3 years of experience in the industry specialising in the areas of boxing fitness, strength and conditioning, circuit training, bodyweight exercise, endurance training and nutritional plan development. I am professional and highly motivated with a strong desire to learn and develop in the areas of fitness, nutrition, general health and wellness. I am committed to providing a holistic approach to fitness and reaching clients’ goals.

Achievements

In the achievements section, you should list some key accomplishments that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Your achievements could be many things including awards, promotions, excellent qualifications, relevant work experience or being elected for leadership roles.

Example:
• 3 years experience in the health and fitness industry
• Level 3 qualified personal trainer
• Elected team leader at the Cheshire County Sports Club

Employment and work experience

This is the most important section of your fitness instructor CV.

It contains details about your employment or work experience in full-time or part-time jobs, internships, placements and voluntary positions.

Each entry should be accompanied by the following information:

• The name of the company you have worked in
• The start and end dates (from-to)
• Your job title
• Your primary duties and responsibilities

Jan 2021 – Present

Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer         Pure Gym, Wakefield

Main duties and responsibilities performed:

• Organised and delivered exercise classes, workshops and training sessions
• Developed personal exercise and diet plans, including nutritional guidance
• Assisted clients to reach personal goals
• Demonstrated exercise machines and equipment
• Marketed and promoted group fitness classes

Fitness instructor duties to add to your CV

• Carry out initial fitness assessments on clients.
• Devise a bespoke fitness/exercise plan based on the client’s individual needs.
• Inspire members to train, exercise and achieve their fitness goals and objectives.
• Conduct effective exercise classes.
• Demonstrate the correct usage of gym equipment to members.
• Maintain a clean, safe and secure gym environment for all members and staff.
• Assist clients with their gym memberships and class enrolments.

Education and training

The education section of your CV, as its name suggests, contains details about your education to date. Things to include in this section: undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, college-level courses and any vocational or professional training that you have completed such as your level 2 or 3 qualifications in Personal Training.

Example:

2016 – 2018

Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training Level 3

Innovate Awarding, Manchester

Relevant Modules:

• Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise
• Nutrition for Physical Activity
• Planning and delivering Gym Programmes

2015 – 2016

YMCA Level 2 Diploma in Promoting Health and Wellness

West Birmingham College

Relevant Modules:

• Principles of exercise, fitness and health
• Anatomy and physiology for exercise
• Health, safety and welfare in a fitness environment

2012 – 2014 Results: 8 GCSEs at Grades A*-C, including Maths and English.

GCSEs

Dawlish Community College

Qualifications

The qualifications section contains details of any additional professional training qualifications that you possess. Don’t include this section if you don’t have any additional qualifications, or if you’ve already mentioned your professional qualifications under the education section (above).

Example:

• BTEC Level 1 Teamwork and Personal Skills – Pearson

Skills

Employers expect fitness/gym instructors to have a lot of fitness know-how and expertise. You can demonstrate this by mentioning the key skills and abilities that will make you excel in this position. Some relevant skills you could list in this section include your communications, interpersonal, leadership and management skills that are essential requirements for the job.

Example:

• Able to communicate effectively at all levels
• Natural ability to motivate and encourage clients to meet their fitness goals
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, demonstrated in my role as a Gym Instructor at Coldfield Gyms
• Excellent knowledge of specialist fitness training plans and exercises

Useful skills to add to your fitness instructor CV

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to work with people from all age groups and diverse backgrounds
• Excellent knowledge of gym equipment and exercise programs
• Ability to design and develop fitness programs
• IT Skills: Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel and PowerPoint
• Writing reports and tracking clients’ progress
• Ability to maintain calm and patience under pressure environment and situation

Hobbies and interests

Do you have hobbies that would help you in your job as a gym/fitness instructor?

If your answer is ‘Yes’ to this question, then the hobbies and interests section provides an excellent opportunity to make mention of these extracurricular activities and make your CV more effective.

Relevant hobbies you could list here include:

• Participating in sports such as football or running
• Going to the gym or exercising regularly
• Learning about fitness and well-being from books or online

Example:

In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, jogging in the park and going out with my friends and family. I also spend a few hours a week reading books about fitness and well-being.

References

This is the last section of your CV and it should contain details of two referees who know you well and who can vouch for you to the prospective employer.

Your referees could be your current or former employer, manager, teacher or anyone who knows you well and has worked with you before.

Example:

Mr Gregory Sanders
Gym Manager, Exercise 360
Address: 8 Milk Rd, Devon, PD8 1DZ
Tel: 0773 4568 5899
Email: [email protected]

Mrs Helena Smith
Team Leader, Fitness4U
Address: 1 Gold Ln, Surrey, SP1 3FA
Tel: 0799 7684 8955
Email: [email protected]


You can also write “References are available upon request.” if you do not have space left on your CV or if you do not wish to disclose these details this early in the recruitment process.

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Tips to make your CV more effective

• Include hobbies and interests: Your primary responsibility as a fitness/gym instructor will be to assist customers with performing physical activities to maintain or improve their health and fitness. It is recommended that you include your hobbies related to fitness, gym, sports and other physical activities on your CV. By doing so, you demonstrate to the employer that you are a healthy, outgoing and active individual who has what it takes to be successful at this job.
• Write a concise personal profile: The personal profile statement at the top of your CV is a personal summary of you as a person. Make it short (no more than 5 lines) and punchy. Studies have shown that recruiters, after scanning the different sections of an applicant’s CV, will go back to the top and read the personal profile in more detail so it’s worth spending a little bit more time on perfecting it!
• Focus on skills: Skills-oriented CVs are highly valued by employers because they give real-life examples of an applicant’s ability to do the job well. Your CV should include many examples of your skills/abilities as they relate to the job. For example, do you have the ability to motivate people? If so, mention it! Can you develop and deliver fitness programs for individuals and groups? Mention that, too!

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