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Fitness Trainer Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Internship Program The Equinox Personal Training Internship offers students a unique opportunity to ... Member experience & engagement activities: fitness Specialist Shifts, front desk support, member ...

Internship Program The Equinox Personal Training Internship offers students a unique opportunity to ... Member experience & engagement activities: fitness Specialist Shifts, front desk support, member ...

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Fitness Trainer Internship information

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$23

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How much do fitness trainer internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for fitness trainer internship in the United States is $23.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $27.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fitness trainer internship?

A Fitness Trainer Internship is a temporary, supervised position that allows individuals to gain practical experience in the fitness industry while working alongside certified trainers. Interns typically assist with client assessments, develop workout plans, lead group classes, and learn about gym operations. This hands-on experience helps aspiring fitness professionals build essential skills, gain confidence, and prepare for certification or full-time employment as fitness trainers.

What are fitness trainer internship opportunities?

During a fitness trainer internship, your job is to learn more about supporting the health and wellness of others. As a student, you may participate in a fitness training program, learn more about setting athletic goals for others, and learn how to adapt exercise strategies to account for the unique fitness needs of each client. Some fitness trainer internships focus on specialized areas. For example, you may focus exclusively on helping people learn to sprint faster or perform well in specific sports. Other fitness trainer internships focus on general exercise and wellness at local gyms. The type of internship you can take may impact your career options, so be sure to review your internship opportunities carefully.

What types of hands-on experience can I expect during a fitness trainer internship?

During a Fitness Trainer Internship, you'll gain direct experience by assisting certified trainers in leading group classes, conducting one-on-one client sessions, and helping with fitness assessments. Interns often support program development, observe client progress, and learn how to tailor workouts for different fitness levels. You'll also have opportunities to shadow trainers in client consultations, participate in team meetings, and receive feedback to refine your coaching skills. The collaborative environment allows you to interact with other staff, learn best practices, and build a foundation for a future career in fitness training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fitness trainer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fitness Trainer Intern, you need foundational knowledge of exercise science, basic nutrition, and human anatomy, often supported by coursework in kinesiology or related fields. Familiarity with gym equipment, fitness assessment tools, and certifications such as CPR/AED are commonly expected. Strong interpersonal skills, motivation, and the ability to communicate clearly with clients help interns build rapport and guide individuals effectively. These skills are crucial for ensuring client safety, creating positive workout experiences, and supporting professional growth in the fitness industry.

What is the difference between Fitness Trainer Internship vs Fitness Coach?

AspectFitness Trainer InternshipFitness Coach
CredentialsOften requires basic certifications or no formal certificationRequires certifications like NASM, ACE, or ACSM
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, gyms, fitness centers, or training facilitiesPrivate or group training, gyms, online platforms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed as a training period for aspiring trainersProfessional role for ongoing client support and program design

The main difference is that a Fitness Trainer Internship is a training period for individuals starting their careers, often with minimal certifications, while a Fitness Coach is a professional who provides ongoing training and personalized fitness guidance, usually with certified credentials.

What cities are hiring for Fitness Trainer Internship jobs?

Cities with the most Fitness Trainer Internship job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Fitness Trainer jobs?

The most popular types of Fitness Trainer jobs are:

What states have the most Fitness Trainer Internship jobs?

States with the most job openings for Fitness Trainer Internship jobs include:

Infographic showing various Fitness Trainer Internship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,637 per year, or $23.9 per hour.

Personal Trainer Internship, NYC

New York, NY • On-site


Equinox Fitness

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 63 rated gym and leisure clubs

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Part-time, Internship

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Company Description

OUR STORY:

Equinox Group is a high growth collective of the world's most influential, experiential, and differentiated lifestyle brands. We restlessly seek what is next for maximizing life - and boldly grow the lifestyle brands and experiences that define it. In addition to Equinox, our other brands, SoulCycle and Equinox Hotels are all recognized for inspiring and motivating members and employees to maximize life. Our portfolio of brands is recognized globally with locations within every major city across the United States in addition to London, Toronto, and Vancouver. 

OUR CODE:

We are passionate abouthigh performance livingand we practice what we preach - investing time in our own health and fitness.We believe that everyone has untapped potential within them and it takes adisruptive approachto unleash it. Wedream bigand don't settle for the status quo. Wesweat the details. We never accept less than110%tohelp each otherdeliver the Equinox experience and enable our members to get great results. We are obsessed with what's new, what's now,what's next. Never following, always leading, and living ahead of the moment in fashion, culture, and consumer behavior. We aren't just a company; we're a community vested in each other's success. We valuehumilityand ateam approachat every level of the company.

If you are a high performing individual who is passionate about winning and inspiring others then we are excited to discuss career opportunities with you.

Job Description

Equinox Personal Trainers provide personalized attention, professional instruction, and exercise programming to maximize each member's health, fitness, and wellness goals while providing the highest level of customer service.     

Internship Program 

The Equinox Personal Training Internship offers students a unique opportunity to learn and work alongside fitness industry experts in our cutting-edge facilities. This program bridges academic knowledge with real-world experience, helping students develop essential skills for a career in personal training. While the internship is hosted by Equinox, the training provides broad applicability to related businesses. Participants can also access Equinox's specialized education through our proprietary education, the Equinox Fitness Training Institute (EFTI) and connect with Coach, Coach+ and Coach X trainers. Internship duration is flexible to suit academic needs, with mandatory paperwork due before commencement. 

Throughout the internship program, interns will be required to complete a variety of large and small projects that will encourage them to fully immerse themself into the business that will also mimic curriculum that a student will see in their undergraduate education. The following are examples of potential smaller projects:   

  • Study one injury per week, documenting causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention    

  • Become familiar with all possible specialties and/or certifications that the intern is potentially interested in studying/receiving in the future   

  • Design programs based on two selected trainers who are specific in their PT goals, any notable injuries, athletic history, etc. (can be hypothetical)   

  • Research the following conditions: Hypertension, Diabetes, Pregnancy, CVD with points on cause, physiological implications, benefits of exercise on the conditions, exercises to help, and exercises to avoid   

  • Weekly connects with supervisor to review progress on weekly objectives and set up actions for the upcoming week 

  • Member experience & engagement activities: fitness Specialist Shifts, front desk support, member reach outs, etc.  

Application Process:  

  • The screening process for this program prioritizes criteria that assess the applicant's potential for learning, enthusiasm for the subject matter, academic achievements, and relevant coursework. 

Qualifications
  • Students must be eligible to earn academic credit for their work 

  • At least 2-years completion towards an undergraduate degree: Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Personal Training, or other applicable majors preferred 

  • An outgoing and personable disposition, able to socialize with others 

  • A passion for fitness and helping others reach their health and wellness goals 

  • Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment 

  • Customer-service oriented and an ability to understand or quickly grasp, customer priorities and terminology 

  • Effective oral and written communications skills 

  • Results oriented with an ability to organize, prioritize and manage time 

  • Previous Personal Training experience preferred but not required 

Additional Information
  • This role is an educational and training opportunity, not employment. Interns will not displace or perform the function of any paid employee. 

  • Compensation: This is an unpaid internship. Interns will not be Equinox employees for minimum wage or other purposes. Interns will not receive any wages or employee benefits for their participation in the program. 

  • While qualified graduates may be considered for employment, interns are not guaranteed or entitled to a paid job or offer of employment at the conclusion of the training period. 

  • Duration: The duration of the program is negotiable depending on the requirements of the intern's university. Equinox will make efforts to accommodate an intern's academic commitments. 

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the position. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Other duties not listed here may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the department. 

Equinox is an equal opportunity employer. For more information regarding our career opportunities, please visit one of our clubs or our website at https://careers.equinox.com/  


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