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Exercise Planner Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Exercise Planner information

See Virginia salary details

$34.2K

$65.1K

$94.7K

How much do exercise planner jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for exercise planner in Virginia is $65,138.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $73,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an exercise planner?

An Exercise Planner is a professional who designs, organizes, and coordinates physical training programs, fitness routines, or exercise regimens for individuals or groups. Their responsibilities often include assessing clients' fitness levels, setting achievable goals, and developing personalized workout plans. Exercise Planners may work in gyms, health clubs, corporate wellness programs, or as independent consultants, and their main goal is to help clients improve their health, fitness, and overall well-being through structured exercise. They may also monitor progress, provide motivation, and adjust plans as needed to ensure optimal results.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an exercise planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Exercise Planner, you need expertise in exercise science, physical training principles, and program design, often backed by a degree in kinesiology or a related field. Familiarity with fitness assessment tools, exercise planning software, and relevant certifications such as ACSM or NSCA are typically required. Strong communication, organizational, and motivational skills help in customizing plans and encouraging client adherence. These competencies ensure safe, effective, and personalized exercise programs that drive client progress and engagement.

What are the main challenges an exercise planner faces when coordinating large-scale training events?

One of the key challenges for an Exercise Planner is balancing the diverse objectives and requirements of multiple stakeholders, such as military units, emergency responders, or government agencies. Coordinating schedules, resources, and communication across these groups requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Additionally, ensuring that training scenarios are realistic and meet all safety protocols can be complex, especially when exercises involve live simulations or joint operations. Adaptability and proactive problem-solving are essential for overcoming last-minute changes and ensuring successful outcomes.

What is the difference between Exercise Planner vs Personal Trainer?

AspectExercise PlannerPersonal Trainer
CertificationsCPR, fitness planning certificationsCPR, personal training certification (e.g., NASM, ACE)
Work EnvironmentGyms, wellness centers, corporate wellness programsGyms, private studios, clients' homes
Employer & IndustryFitness centers, health clubs, corporate wellnessGyms, fitness facilities, private clients
Primary FocusDesigning workout plans, program developmentPersonalized training, coaching, motivation

While both roles focus on fitness and health, Exercise Planners primarily develop workout programs and plans, often working behind the scenes or in administrative roles. Personal Trainers work directly with clients, providing personalized coaching and motivation. Understanding these differences helps individuals choose the right career path or service provider based on their fitness goals and professional interests.

Infographic showing various Exercise Planner job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,138 per year, or $31.3 per hour.

Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering - Joint Exercise Planner

L3HHCM20

Springfield, VA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Systems Engineering - Joint Exercise Planner (Active TS/SCI with CI Poly Required)
Job Code: 38744
Job Location: Springfield, VA (100% On-site)
Job Schedule: 5/8 Monday-Friday
Job Description: ย 
L3Harris Technologies has an opening for a Joint Exercise Planner that will support the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) by developing and executing exercises that validate operational readiness, refine tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and integrate space and ground equities into joint, interagency, and coalition space events. The planner will work closely with space mission partners, the National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and various Combatant Commands to design realistic scenarios that stress capabilities and improve the resilience of national space systems.
This position requires expertise in exercise planning, operational integration, and SDA mission awareness, with the ability to align agency objectives to the broader space enterprise training and exercise cycle.

Essential Functions: ย 
ย  ย Demonstrated experience with Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), Joint Planning Process (JPP), or similar frameworks.
ย  ย Design and coordinate SDA-related scenarios in accordance with NRO priorities, Combatant Command directives, and JELC processes.
ย  ย Integrate space and ground mission threads (e.g., protection of highly sensitive satellites, RPO detection, custody management, launch characterization, anomaly resolution, and commercial SDA data integration).
ย  ย Develop injects and storylines that simulate adversary counterspace threats and space operating environment complexities.
ย  ย Serve as the SDA/NRO representative during exercise planning conferences and working groups.
ย  ย Coordinate with Combatant Commands, and interagency partners to ensure client equities are incorporated.
ย  ย Align exercises with client internal training, certification events, and operational rehearsals.
ย  ย Participate as White Cell or Control Cell lead for SDA/NRO vignettes.
ย  ย Manage real-time injects, scenario pacing, and exercise adjudication during execution.
ย  ย Support senior leader engagement by developing tailored briefs, updates, and assessments during events.
ย  ย Develop measures of performance and effectiveness for Space-specific injects and objectives.
ย  ย Produce After Action Reports (AARs) and document lessons learned in JLLIS or NRO repositories.
ย  ย Provide recommendations to refine SDA doctrine, CONOPS, and TTPs based on exercise outcomes.
Qualifications:ย 
ย  ย Bachelor's Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
ย  ย Active Top Secret/SCI with CI Poly required.
ย  ย 5 - 6 years of experience in space operations, intelligence operations, or military/government exercise planning.
ย  ย Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%.
Preferred Additional Skills:ย 
ย  ย Proficiency with planning tools (e.g., JTIMS, JLLIS) and space modeling/simulation tools (STK, ODTK, or similar).
ย  ย Strong MS Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Project)
ย  ย Excellent analytical and attention to detail abilities.
In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Virginia - Greater Washington, D.C. Area is $106,500 - $197,500.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.