Become a Personal Trainer with Custom Body Fitness
Custom Body Fitness is looking for passionate, knowledgeable, and motivated fitness
professionals to join our growing team. We are currently hiring Independent
Contractor Personal Trainers (1099) to work with clients both virtually and in-
person across California.
Strength in Purpose:
The Custom Body Fitness Journey
What We Offer:
- Access to the Custom Body Fitness Virtual Trainer™ platform
- Full flexibility and autonomy (you manage your own schedule)
- Competitive commission-based earnings
- Bonuses through our trainer points system
- Marketing support to help you get clients
- Opportunities for continuing education & certifications through our CBF PT Academy
Requirements:
- Must be legally allowed to work as a 1099 contractor in California
- Certified Personal Trainer (CBF, NASM, ACE, ISSA, or equivalent)
- CPR/AED certified
- Reliable phone/laptop with internet access
- Passion for fitness, client success, and personal development
- Professional, friendly, and strong communication skills


Contractor Responsibilities:
— How it all began
- Provide safe and effective fitness coaching (in-person or online)
- Communicate regularly with clients through our platform
- Track client progress and submit session approvals
- Follow Custom Body Fitness brand values and code of conduct
- Market your services via social media and word-of-mouth (we’ll help)
- You are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and business expenses under 1099 status
Apply Now
Fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Need Help?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I apply to become a personal trainer at Custom Body Fitness?
To apply, simply submit your resume and a brief cover letter through our website’s careers
section or email. We look for certified trainers with a passion for helping clients. After reviewing your application, we’ll reach out to schedule an initial interview. In that interview, we’ll discuss your experience, certifications, and why you’re interested in joining Custom Body Fitness. Impress us with your knowledge and enthusiasm, and you’ll move forward in the hiring process. Also, if you are not certified yet as a personal trainer, you can go through our CBF Training Academy and become a personal trainer there. Go to our ‘CBF Training Academy’ page to find out more!
What does the onboarding process involve once I’m brought on?
Onboarding is designed to set you up for success. First, you’ll meet with our team to learn about our company culture and values. We’ll introduce you to our accountability coaching system and how we use science and data to guide clients. You’ll get training on using the Custom Body Fitness, Virtual Trainer™ app for client plans and communication. We also walk you through our procedures for scheduling sessions, logging client progress, and safety protocols. In your first few weeks, you might shadow experienced coaches or have check-ins to answer any questions. By the end of onboarding, you’ll be comfortable with our tools, know our core principles, and be ready to start coaching clients with confidence.
How will I get paid, and what is the compensation structure?
As a 1099 independent contractor, you’ll be paid per client session or package. We offer competitive compensation, often structured as either a flat rate per session or a percentage of the client’s fees (this will be specified in your contract). Payments are issued on a regular schedule (e.g. biweekly via direct deposit). Because you’re a contractor, no taxes are withheld from your paychecks– you receive the full amount for your sessions and are responsible for your own taxes. At the end of the year, we’ll provide a Form 1099 summarizing your total earnings (if you earned $600 or more) This setup gives you more take-home pay upfront, and you’ll handle income taxes and any reporting on your own. We’re happy to guide you on how to track your sessions and income, so everything is clear, and you can focus on training clients.
How flexible is the schedule? Can I set my own hours?
Flexibility is a major benefit of working with us as an independent contractor.
You are largely free to set your own schedule and determine when you want to train
clients. There are no fixed “shifts” – instead, you coordinate session times directly
with your clients. Many trainers choose to work in the early mornings or evenings
when client demand is highest, but you decide how many sessions to take on and
when. We simply ask that you communicate your availability and honor any
commitments you make to clients. If you prefer to work part-time or only certain
days of the week, that’s okay. Our approach is results-oriented, not clock-oriented,
so as long as you’re meeting client needs and providing great coaching, you have the
freedom to design a schedule that fits your life. This flexibility also means you can
work for other gyms or train private clients outside of Custom Body Fitness if you
choose, since you’re not an exclusive employee. Just remember to manage your time
so that you can fully support our clients when you’ve scheduled sessions with them.
What certifications or qualifications do I need to work here?
We require all personal trainers to have a nationally recognized fitness certification and a current CPR/AED certification. You should hold a certification from an accredited organization (for example, CBF, NASM, ACE, ACSM, ISSA, NSCA, etc.), ideally one that is NCCA-accredited. A valid Adult CPR and AED certification is also mandatory for safety. These qualifications ensure you have the fundamental knowledge to train clients safely and effectively. We do not require a college degree, but a background in Exercise Science or Kinesiology is a plus. We welcome both experienced trainers and newly certified trainers – what’s most important is that you have the required certs, a passion for helping people, and a willingness to learn. If you’re newly certified, don’t worry; our onboarding will help get you up to speed. Just make sure to keep your certifications current and renewed as needed (including any continuing education credits to maintain them).
Do I need to have my own liability insurance?
Yes. As an independent trainer, you will need to carry your own professional liability insurance (sometimes called personal trainer insurance). While Custom Body Fitness has its own insurance for the facility, independent contractors are typically not covered by a gym’s insurance. Having your own liability coverage protects you in case a client injury or claim arises related to your training services. We require proof of your insurance before you start coaching clients, to ensure that both you and the client are protected. If you don’t already have insurance, obtaining it is usually straightforward – there are several companies and fitness organizations that offer affordable plans for fitness professionals. (And note that your insurance premiums and related business expenses are usually tax-deductible as a self-employed trainer). We’re happy to recommend providers if you need guidance. The bottom line: carrying your own liability policy is a must for independent trainers, and it’s an industry standard to keep everyone safe and secure.
How will I get clients? Do I have to find my own or does Custom Body Fitness provide them?
We’ve got you covered when it comes to clients. Custom Body Fitness has an established client base and marketing system, so you will not be left on your own to drum up business from scratch. Our company attracts clients through our website, referrals, social media, and local outreach. When new clients sign up for our programs (like the 90-Day Transformation), we pair them with a trainer whose availability and expertise match the client’s needs. As a result, a good portion of your clients will be provided to you through our system. That said, building strong relationships is key – if you retain clients through great results and service, they’ll continue training with you and refer others. You are also welcome to bring in your own clients (for instance, if someone in your network wants to join our program). In those cases, we handle all the enrollment details so you can focus on training. We do not expect our trainers to do hardcore sales pitches on the gym floor or virtually; however, being personable and talking to members can naturally lead to new clients. Essentially, we take care of marketing and leads, and your role is to deliver excellent training so that clients stay engaged. Over time, as you build your reputation here, you’ll find your schedule filling up with loyal clients – without having to do all the advertising yourself.
What support or resources does Custom Body Fitness provide to trainers?
We pride ourselves on giving our trainers the tools they need to succeed. When you join us, you’ll have access to:
The Custom Body Fitness App: Our proprietary app is a central hub for coaching. Through it, you can assign workouts, track clients’ progress, and message clients to keep them accountable. It makes delivering personalized programs much easier.
Facility & Equipment: If you’re training clients in person, you’ll have use of our fully equipped training space (weights, mats, functional training gear, etc.). The facility is kept clean and safe, so you can confidently bring clients in for sessions.
Client Management & Billing: We handle the administrative side – scheduling systems, client waivers, payments, and package tracking are managed by the company. You won’t have to chase clients for payments or handle complex admin paperwork; we do that for you.
Marketing & Client Leads: Our marketing team and strong word-of-mouth bring in a steady stream of new clients. We maintain a professional website and social media presence that highlights our trainers and success stories. This means you get exposure to potential clients without having to spend your own money on advertising.
Team Mentorship and Continuing Ed: Custom Body Fitness is led by experienced coaches with decades in the industry. They provide ongoing mentorship – from sharing proven training techniques to helping you tackle client challenges. We also occasionally host workshops or training meetings to keep everyone up to date on best practices.
Community and Support: We foster a positive, family-like culture among our staff. Trainers often collaborate and support each other, whether it’s covering a session for someone or sharing new workout ideas. You’ll never feel like you’re out there alone.
All these resources are aimed at letting you focus on what you do best – training clients – while we handle or assist with the rest. We want you to succeed and grow your own clientele under the Custom Body Fitness umbrella.