A Personal Trainer or Fitness Instructor develops customized exercise and fitness programs for clients. Reviews health and fitness goals, teaches correct and safe exercise technique, monitors progress and provides encouragement for clients. Leads fitness and exercise classes at a community center, club or pool. Teaches aerobics, water, strength building or other exercises and maintains equipment.
Kinesiology Graduate Personal Trainer Program | Palo Alto Palo Alto Fit - 5.0 Palo Alto, CA Job Details Part-time | Full-time | Internship $20 - $45 an hour 1 hour ago Benefits Health insurance Gym membership Flexible schedule Paid sick time Qualifications Certified Personal Trainer CPR Certification Teamwork Bachelor's degree First Aid Certification Full Job Description
ABOUT PALO ALTO FIT
Palo Alto Fit is Palo Alto's premier personal training facility, home to a team of 30+ professional coaches dedicated to delivering exceptional, individualized training. Our 8,000 square foot appointment-only training facility (expanding to 12,000 square feet in 2026) at 310 California Avenue in Palo Alto features professional-grade Eleiko resistance training stations, Life Fitness equipment, and a purpose-built environment designed exclusively for high-quality 1-on-1 coaching. We are not a traditional gym. We are a professional coaching facility, and we believe great trainers are developed through education, mentorship, and real coaching experience. For more than 10 years, Palo Alto Fit has served the Palo Alto community and built a reputation for professionalism, consistency, and long-term client relationships. We currently hold 180+ five-star reviews.
THE PROGRAM
Our Personal Trainer Development Program (PAFC Academy) is a structured on-ramp into the coaching profession, designed for final-year Kinesiology or Exercise Science students and recent graduates. The program is built with one destination in mind: a full-time personal trainer career at Palo Alto Fit. Every stage is deliberately gradual. You begin with 50 paid, structured hours alongside our experienced coaches. From there you coach part-time through the rest of your degree, growing your skills and your client relationships under mentorship. By the time you graduate, stepping into a full-time coaching role is not a leap; it is the next step on a path you are already walking. The 50 hours run in three progressive phases: Phase 1 (10 hours): our foundations. How we approach the client relationship, the systems and tools we run on, and how we design training sessions. Phase 2 (10 hours ): shadowing an experienced trainer through full client days, with structured debriefs. Phase 3 (30 hours): hands-on client work under close supervision, with regular feedback on your coaching, communication, and programming. You are hired and paid as a part-time personal trainer from day one.
University internship credit:
if your degree requires internship hours, we sign off your completed 50 program hours for your university's requirement.
Pay:
$20.00 to $45.00 per hour. Your rate steps up at defined milestones along this path: completing the program, a successful first 90 days, and graduation, and it continues to grow with your performance from there. We walk through the exact steps with you in the interview.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
How to conduct professional fitness assessments. How to design individualized training programs. How to coach safe and effective 1-on-1 training sessions. How to adapt programming for different ages, goals, and movement limitations. How to build long-term client relationships. How to deliver a high-quality coaching experience.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Currently completing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or a related field. Passion for health, fitness, and coaching that shows up in how you live. Strong communication skills and a professional attitude. Desire to work within a team-based coaching environment. Ability to reliably commute to Palo Alto for in-person coaching. CPR / First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain). Personal training certification (NASM, NSCA, or ACSM) preferred, or the intent to pursue one.
WHY PALO ALTO FIT
Learn from a team of 30+ experienced professional coaches. Work in a premium appointment-only training facility with a client community of highly educated professionals and families who value expert coaching. Training sessions are 50 minutes, with a 10-minute reset between sessions so coaches can prepare and collaborate. A supportive team culture built on shared learning and mentorship. Complimentary coffee, snacks, and team amenities for staff. A clear path to a full-time personal trainer role. Full-time trainers (30+ hours per week) receive a health care plan with a 50% company contribution, plus paid sick leave.
JOB DETAILS
Job type: Part-time, development program.
Schedule:
Flexible, coordinated with your academic calendar.
Location:
310 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (in person).
Learn more:
www.paloaltofit.com
Pay:
$20.00 - $45.00 per hour
Benefits:
Flexible schedule Gym membership Application Question(s): Are you interested in building a long-term career as a professional personal trainer? Are you currently completing or have you recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or a related field? How comfortable are you participating in a structured mentorship program that includes shadowing experienced trainers and receiving coaching feedback? How comfortable are you working in a collaborative team environment where trainers support and learn from each other? Do you currently live within approximately a 30-minute commute of Palo Alto, CA and are able to travel to the facility for early morning sessions starting at 6:00 AM? What is your career outlook as a Kinesiology graduate?
