Fitness Instructor

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 275802

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: CENTRAL ADMIN MANAGEMENT CTR

Date: Oct 21, 2026

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Group Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As a Group Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer, you'll play an important role in helping students build healthier lifestyles while fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and motivating fitness environment. Your energy, expertise, and commitment to wellness will support participants of all fitness levels as they work toward their personal health and fitness goals.

Be Bold.

Join a dynamic recreation and wellness team dedicated to enhancing the student experience through engaging fitness programming. This role offers the opportunity to inspire others, promote lifelong wellness habits, and create positive experiences that help students thrive physically and mentally.

What You'll Do:

Lead group fitness classes such as aerobics, yoga, cycling/spinning, kickboxing, and other wellness-focused programs.
Deliver safe, effective, and engaging fitness instruction tailored to participant skill levels and abilities.
Design class formats and exercise routines that align with program objectives and participant needs.
Provide one-on-one personal training services that support individual fitness goals.
Monitor participant safety and well-being throughout all fitness activities.
Demonstrate proper exercise techniques and educate participants on healthy movement patterns.
Encourage healthy lifestyle choices and foster a positive, motivating atmosphere.
Enforce recreation center policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Inspect fitness spaces and equipment to ensure cleanliness, functionality, and safety.
Communicate maintenance concerns and equipment needs to facility leadership.
Participate in staff development activities, training programs, and departmental meetings.
Maintain current fitness knowledge and required certifications.
Complete attendance records, reports, and other administrative documentation as required.
Perform additional duties that support campus recreation and wellness programming.

What You'll Bring:

Passion for health, fitness, and helping others achieve their wellness goals.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to motivate and engage diverse populations.
Commitment to safety, customer service, and inclusive fitness practices.
Ability to adapt instruction for varying fitness levels and abilities.
Professionalism, reliability, and teamwork.

Why Duke?

At Duke, you'll join a community committed to excellence, innovation, and well-being. You'll have the opportunity to positively impact student health while working in an environment that values collaboration, inclusion, professional growth, and personal development.

Minimum Qualifications

Education / Certifications

One of the following is required:

Current American Red Cross CPR/AED Certification.
Current Group Exercise Certification from a nationally recognized organization.
Current Personal Training Certification from a nationally recognized organization.
Bachelor's degree in Physical Education or a related field.

Experience

No prior experience required. Relevant fitness instruction, personal training, coaching, or wellness program experience is preferred.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, we know that great instructors do more than lead workouts. They build confidence, inspire healthy habits, and create meaningful connections that help students succeed in and outside the recreation center. If you're passionate about wellness and excited to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us build a healthier, stronger, and more connected Duke community.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $23.26 to USD $36.73. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).