This is not a typical personal training job, and we'd rather tell you that now than have you find out on day one.
Progress with our athletes doesn't always look like a new personal best or being five pounds down. Some days, a win is an athlete making eye contact for the first time in weeks, getting through a full session without needing to step away, or just showing up and trying. Some sessions will be hard. Some families are exhausted, and you'll be one of the steadiest parts of their week. If you need fast, visible results to feel like you're doing good work, this probably isn't your role.
But if something about that description made you sit up a little, if you've ever wished you could do this kind of work and didn't quite know it existed, keep reading.
About Us:
Special Strong SWFL is the proud franchise of the nationally recognized Special Strong brand, dedicated to providing adaptive fitness training for individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges. We don't train the diagnosis, we train the individual in front of us. Families come to us after searching for someone who actually gets it, someone who sees their athlete, not their diagnosis. Our clients and their families love us for our compassionate, results-driven approach that fosters confidence, strength, and independence. Our job is to be that person, every session.
About the Role:
We're looking for an Adaptive Fitness Trainer to join our mission-driven team and work directly with our athletes at partner gyms and community spaces around Collier County. In this rewarding role, you'll work one-on-one and in small groups with individuals of all abilities building real relationships with athletes and their families, not just run a program. This is a part-time role with flexible hours built around your availability.
Responsibilities:
- Running initial assessments and tracking real progress over time, in whatever form that progress takes
- Building and adapting fitness programs for athletes with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and developmental needs
- Modifying exercises and training techniques to accommodate individual abilities and limitations
- Communicating consistently with families so they always know how their athlete is doing
- Showing up reliably; the families and athletes counting on you are the reason the schedule matters
- Creating a training environment that feels safe, patient, and genuinely welcoming; every time, even on hard days
- Growing your skills through Special Strong's training and certification pathway
Requirements:
Attitude and heart first. Experience second. We've met plenty of "qualified" trainers who weren't right for this, and plenty of unlikely candidates who turned out to be exactly right.
- A patient, empathetic, no-judgment approach where curiosity comes before conclusions, always
- Comfort and confidence working with individuals of all ability levels, including those who are nonverbal or have behavioral needs
- Reliable and self-motivated; you don't need someone standing over you to show up ready
- CPR/AED certified, or willing to get certified before starting
- Experience with individuals with disabilities is a strong plus, whether that's professional (PT/OT, special education, direct care) or personal
- A personal training certification (NASM, ACE, NSCA, ISSA, etc.) is preferred, not required; the right person without one will be supported through Special Strong University's certification pathway
Are you looking for personal trainer jobs that go beyond the ordinary? At Special Strong, we offer unique opportunities for enthusiastic trainers to make a real impact in local communities. With us, you can become a certified personal trainer, where you will have the chance to serve a diverse set of people with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges. Our mission is to empower every client to achieve their fitness and life goals, regardless of their abilities.
