personal trainer

American

noun

a person who works one-on-one with a client to plan or implement an exercise or fitness regimen.

Etymology

Origin of personal trainer

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Formerly a personal trainer, bodybuilder, and weightlifter who loved hockey and running, her life completely changed.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

In prison, he became devoted to working out; after his release, Mr. James hung out his shingle as a personal trainer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Joshua's personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength coach, Sina Ghami, died on 29 December after their vehicle collided with a stationary lorry near Lagos, Nigeria.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Taylor was a personal trainer in Santa Monica, and his clients described him as “mellow” and “reliable” shortly after his arrest in December 2020.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

He used to take gymnastic classes until they got to be too expensive, and I think he secretly wanted to be a personal trainer.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023