How to hire a fitness and wellness instructor

How to hire a fitness and wellness instructor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fitness and wellness instructor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fitness and wellness instructor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fitness and wellness instructor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The fitness and wellness instructor hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A fitness and wellness instructor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, fitness and wellness instructors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of fitness and wellness instructors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Fitness And Wellness Instructor	Description	Hourly rate
   Fitness And Wellness Instructor	Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercises (exercises for the heart and blood circulation), strength training, and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels.	$11-23
   Certified Personal Trainer	A Certified Personal Trainer is a person who will guide, help, and motivate you to move forward and become successful. Anyone with a mastery of a specific subject can become a personal trainer; however, certification is given only by accredited organizations that can offer licensure or certification programs... Show more	$10-22
   Manager/Personal Trainer	A manager/personal trainer performs fitness training, human resource management, and sales in a single job role. First-aid certification is one of the main requirements for the role... Show more	$18-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CPR
   • Yoga
   • Strength Training
   • Group Fitness Classes
   • ACE
   • Zumba
   • Circuit Training
   • Fitness Equipment
   • Physical Fitness
   • Wellness Programs
   • Healthy Lifestyle
   • Fitness Assessments
   • Wellness Classes
   • Customer Service

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
   • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
   • Manage LEGO camps using set curriculum.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fitness and wellness instructor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A fitness and wellness instructor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, fitness and wellness instructors' average salary in ohio is 56% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fitness and wellness instructors earn 53% less than senior-level fitness and wellness instructors.
   • Certifications. A fitness and wellness instructor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a fitness and wellness instructor's salary.

   Average fitness and wellness instructor salary

   $16.34hourly

   $33,979 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level fitness and wellness instructor salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a fitness and wellness instructor job description

   A job description for a fitness and wellness instructor role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a fitness and wellness instructor job description:

   Fitness and wellness instructor job description example

   New Hire Bonus of $2,100, paid out in three equal installments at 6 months, 12 months and 18 months as long as you maintain a Full Time Status in good standing.

   
   

   Your role:

   Provide high quality fitness programming in an active senior community.

   Responsibilities include:

   • Instruct studio and aquatic classes
   • Develop rapport & relationships
   • Improve quality of life for seniors
   • 1:1 Training
   • Fitness assessments & orientation to equipment
   • Utilize your creativity to engage our diverse population

   
   

   Why You Should Apply :

   • All Hourly Employees are eligible for #DailyPay on their first day
   • SilverCrest offers a wonderful benefits package including medical with options for free in home and virtual visits, dental and vision
   • Paid Time Off and 7 Paid Holidays
   • 401(k) with employer match
   • Consistent Schedule w/no late evenings
   • Non-commission based hourly pay
   • Industry growth & advancement opportunities
   • Work in a beautiful, upscale senior living community
   • SilverAdvantage Employee Recognition Program
   • Employee referral bonuses
   • Opportunity for CEU reimbursement

   What's important to our Community:

   • Positive and engaged candidate that fits in with our culture of providing an exceptional customer service.
   • Health and fitness experience or a related field is preferred.
   • Personal training certifications such as ACE, NETA, ACSM or NSCA are preferred.
   • Exceptional communication skills and have a strong team attitude.
   • Someone who appreciates and gains fulfillment working with seniors.

   
   

   Who we are:

   Join a company recognized by its employees as a Star Tribune Top Workplace in 2017, 2018 , 2019, 2020 and 2021!

   At SilverCrest Properties we have been focused on the development and management of senior living communities in Minnesota since 1986. We hold a strong position in this rapidly growing industry which includes Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. We Manage 8 communities, 1717 apartments and serve over 2100 residents. Our R.E.S.P.E.C.T. philosophy combined with a focus on wellness and fine dining sets us apart in the industry.

   SilverCrest Properties requires the ability to pass a criminal background and drug test to qualify for employment. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find fitness and wellness instructors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any fitness and wellness instructors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level fitness and wellness instructors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fitness and wellness instructor job on Zippia to find and recruit fitness and wellness instructor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit fitness and wellness instructors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fitness and wellness instructor

   Once you've decided on a perfect fitness and wellness instructor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new fitness and wellness instructor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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