The CPT Academy Podcast

This is Part 3 of our series on muscle imbalance and inhibition. So far:Part 1 → terminologyPart 2 → adhesions + Davis’s LawThis is Part 3 of a 4-part series on autogenic vs reciprocal inhibition. In this video, we break down the science of length vs tension—the key to understanding why stretching and corrective exercise actually work. We cover:Muscle spindles (length)Golgi tendon organs / GTOs (t...

This is Part 2 of a 4-part series on autogenic vs reciprocal inhibition. In this video, we break down what people call muscle "knots”—and what they actually are in NASM terms: adhesions. We cover:What muscle knots (adhesions) actually areThe science behind themDavis’s Law and how tissue adaptsHow adhesions contribute to overactive (tight) musclesHow to correct imbalances (inhibit, lengthen, a...

This is Part 1 of a 4-part series on autogenic and reciprocal inhibition—one of the most confusing (and most tested) concepts in the NASM CPT.In this video, we start with the foundational terminology you need to understand before anything else will make sense. We break down:- Muscle imbalances- Altered reciprocal inhibition- Synergistic dominance- Arthrokinetic dysfunction👉 You’ll learn what each...

If you’re confused by NASM’s science-based program design, especially periodization, you’re not alone! This is one of the commonly tested—and most misunderstood—topics on the NASM CPT exam. In this video, we break down:- Linear vs undulating periodization- How each applies to body fat reduction, muscle gain, and performance- How NASM actually expects you to think about program design (if you'r...

If you’re struggling to remember overactive and underactive muscles for the NASM CPT, you’re not alone. This is one of the most confusing (and most tested) topics on the exam — especially when you’re trying to apply it to movement compensations. In this video, we break it down using practice test questions, so you can:- Identify overactive vs underactive muscles- Recognize patterns in movement com...

Preparing for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam? In this video, we review the NASM exercise library and assessment concepts most commonly tested on the certification exam. This walkthrough highlights the most important exercises, assessments, and movement compensations you need to understand before taking the NASM CPT exam. Instead of reviewing every detail from the textbook, this vid...

Future personal trainers - this video is a must in setting up a successful NASM prep plan! We walk you through the basic science of the heart, covering anatomy and circulation pathways, while demystifying terminology and sharing tips and tricks to master the content and pass the NASM CPT 7th edition with flying colors! Be sure to check out our other test prep videos in the NASM Study Guide playlis...

Future personal trainers - this video is a must in setting up a successful NASM prep plan! We walk you through the basic science of overactive/underactive muscles (shortened/lengthened), demystifying terminology and sharing tips and tricks to master the content and pass the NASM CPT 7th edition with flying colors! Be sure to check out our other test prep videos in the NASM Study Guide playlist and...

Future personal trainers - this video is a must in setting up a successful NASM prep plan! We walk you through the structure of the Resistance Chapter Exercise Library, sharing tips and tricks to master the content and pass the NASM CPT 7th edition with flying colors! Be sure to check out our other test prep videos in the NASM Study Guide playlist and of course our NASM Test Prep Tip of the Day pl...

Preparing for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam? In this video we walk through a series of NASM practice questions covering biomechanics, muscle function, and movement patterns. These practice questions focus on concepts that frequently appear on the NASM CPT exam, including muscle actions, concentric vs eccentric contractions, integrated vs isolated function, and the five primary mov...

Future personal trainers - this video is a must in setting up a successful NASM prep plan! We walk you each step of the OPT Model so that you can pass the NASM CPT 7th edition certification exam with flying colors! Be sure to check out our other test prep videos in the NASM Study Guide playlist and of course our NASM Test Prep Tip of the Day playlist! Interested in learning more about our NASM CPT...

If you're preparing for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam, this video walks through realistic NASM practice test questions and explains exactly how to think through them. These questions come from a full NASM CPT practice exam, and in this video we break down several examples step-by-step so you can understand the concepts behind the correct answers. Many NASM exam questions are d...

Preparing for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam? In this video, we walk through a full practice final exam strategy designed to help you determine if you're truly ready for the NASM test. ***Be sure to check out our next episode where we walk through Practice Questions.*** This session explains how to approach a NASM CPT practice final, how to evaluate your performance by section,...

Future personal trainers - this video is a must in setting up a successful NASM prep plan! We walk you through the test structure and how to build your passing score, section by section, so that you can pass the NASM CPT 7th edition with flying colors! Be sure to check out our other test prep videos in the NASM Study Guide playlist and of course our NASM Test Prep Tip of the Day playlist! Interest...

Unlock the secrets to thriving as a young professional in today's personal training workforce—especially if you're part of Gen Z. Discover why your age is your greatest asset and how to showcase your unique skills without oversharing or undermining your potential. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your fitness career, this episode reveals practical strategies to ha...

Unlock the secret to building a thriving, future-proof personal training business that taps into the booming older adult and medical markets. Whether you're just starting out as a CPT or looking to scale, this episode reveals proven strategies to attract insurance contracts, forge powerful healthcare partnerships, and serve a demographic hungry for your expertise—all while creating a sustainab...

Unlock the secrets to skyrocketing your fitness business with proven personal training sales strategies that actually work in today’s saturated market. Whether you're a new CPT or a seasoned trainer struggling to stand out, this episode reveals the game-changing techniques that turn casual prospects into loyal clients—without feeling pushy or overwhelmed. We have you covered with all of the sa...

Unlock the secrets to skyrocketing your fitness business with proven personal training sales strategies that actually work in today’s saturated market. Whether you're a new CPT or a seasoned trainer struggling to stand out, this episode reveals the game-changing techniques that turn casual prospects into loyal clients—without feeling pushy or overwhelmed. We have you covered with all of the sa...

Have all of your NASM CPT Test questions answered by a recent graduate of the CPT Academy! To learn more about the programs we offer, check out our website: https://www.thecptacademy.com/a/2148205350/AZXCyvw7And check out Ashley's interview on world champion kickboxer Shannon Hudson' s podcast: https://youtu.be/FRRo608OHfI?si=ykMuZe8hGBWH29oD

In this podcast episode, Leya Glazer, a freshman at UT Dallas majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in computer science, shares her journey in fitness and her experience with the NASM CPT and AFAA Group X exams. As a member of the university's golf team, Leya emphasizes the importance of fitness in enhancing her performance on the course, highlighting how her training has allowed her...

Join us in this inspiring episode as we sit down with Jermaine Collier Jr., a dedicated coach and personal trainer, who shares his journey from a track athlete to a successful fitness entrepreneur. Discover how Jermaine overcame challenges, embraced resilience, and leveraged his passion for fitness to help others achieve their goals. Whether you're an aspiring personal trainer preparing to tak...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Deirdre Tobin, NASM CPT and top trainer at a leading gym, who transitioned from a background in musical theater to a successful career in fitness, both in-person and online. Deirdre shares her unique path, covering tips on how to use personal training assessments and consultations to boost sales. This conversation showcases "a day in the...

In this episode, Ashley interviews Arika Harden, an extremely successful personal trainer who shares her journey from a youth athlete to a certified fitness and nutrition specialist. Arika discusses her passion for fitness, which began with soccer and evolved through bodybuilding and personal training. She emphasizes the importance of education and certification in the fitness industry, highlighti...