The CPT Academy Podcast
by The CPT Academy
The CPT Academy Podcast is your resource for passing the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam and building a successful career in fitness. Hosted by Ashley from The CPT Academy, the show covers NASM CPT exam prep, study strategies, program design, coaching skills, and recertification topics. It also features the “Day in the Life” series, where Ashley interviews real personal trainers working in the field to share their experiences, sales techniques, and practical advice for new trainers.
Episodes
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NASM OPT Model Explained: 3 Levels & 5 Phases Made Simple
The NASM OPT Model can seem confusing at first—but once you understand the difference between the 3 training levels and the 5 training phases, the entire model becomes much easier to understand and remember for the NASM CPT exam.In this NASM CPT study video, we break down the OPT Model (Optimum...
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NASM Lower Crossed Syndrome Explained | Postural Distortion Syndromes - Lower Crossed
Lower Crossed Syndrome is one of the most common postural distortion syndromes covered on the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam. It is closely related to anterior pelvic tilt, excessive lordosis, and the low back arch compensation observed during the Overhead Squat Assessment.In this...
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NASM Pronation Distortion Syndrome (Pes Planus) Explained | Postural Distortion Syndromes
Pronation Distortion Syndrome is one of the most important postural distortion patterns you'll study for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam.In this lesson, you'll learn what Postural Distortion Syndromes are, what Pronation Distortion Syndrome (Pes Planus) is, why it develops, how it...
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How to Use the NASM Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation Chart
Trying to memorize the NASM Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation Chart?Instead of memorizing dozens of muscles individually, learn how to recognize the patterns behind the chart so it becomes much easier to understand and remember.In this lesson, I'll show you how to use the compensation...
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Why Does Your Low Back Arch During a Squat? | NASM Overhead Squat Assessment
Why does the low back arch during a squat?An excessive low back arch is one of the most common movement compensations evaluated during the NASM Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA). In this lesson, you'll learn why this compensation occurs, how it relates to anterior pelvic tilt, and what it tells…
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Why Do the Knees Cave In During a Squat? | NASM Overhead Squat Assessment
Why do the knees cave in during a squat?"Knees Cave In"—also known as knee valgus—is one of the most common movement compensations evaluated during the NASM Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA). In this video, you'll learn why this movement occurs, what it tells you about the body's movement…
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Why Do the Feet Turn Out During a Squat? | NASM Overhead Squat Assessment
Why do the feet turn out during the Overhead Squat Assessment?This is one of the most common movement compensations you'll encounter on the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam. In this video, you'll learn why the feet turn out, what this movement pattern tells you about the body, and how…
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NASM Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA): Every Compensation Explained
The Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA) is one of the most important movement assessments on the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam. In Part 2 of this series, you'll learn how to identify each major movement compensation by watching real examples and understanding why they occur.Rather than...
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Master the NASM Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA) | Every Checkpoint Explained
The Overhead Squat Assessment (OHSA) is one of the most important movement assessments on the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam. Understanding what to look for—and why these movement compensations occur—will make it much easier to identify overactive and underactive muscles and answer…
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Osteoporosis and Exercise: What Helps, What Hurts, and What Trainers Need to Know
Osteoporosis is one of the most important special populations topics for personal trainers, fitness professionals, and anyone interested in long-term bone health.In this lesson, we explore the science behind osteoporosis, how it develops, why osteopenia is considered a precursor condition, and…
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NASM CPT Practice Questions Explained | Resistance, Plyometrics, Cardio & SAQ (Section 5)
Ready to test your knowledge of NASM Section 5?In this video, we work through NASM CPT practice questions covering Resistance training, Plyometrics, Cardio training, Speed, Agility and Quickness (SAQ), exercise classification, sprint mechanics, warm-ups, and more.Rather than simply memorizing...
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NASM CPT Tempo Explained | The Easiest Way to Answer Tempo Questions
NASM CPT tempo questions can be some of the most confusing questions on the exam, but they don't have to be.In this lesson, I break down the NASM 4-beat tempo system step-by-step, explain how to read tempo correctly, and show you the easiest way to solve tempo questions using simple examples like...
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Autogenic vs Reciprocal Inhibition (Part 4): Autogenic Inhibition Explained
This is Part 4 (final) of the series on autogenic vs reciprocal inhibition.Now that you understand:Muscle imbalancesAdhesionsLength vs tensionWe apply it all to autogenic inhibition—one of the most important concepts for both corrective exercise and the NASM CPT exam.We cover:What autogenic...
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Autogenic Inhibition Part 3: Muscle Spindles vs GTOs for NASM CPT
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...
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Autogenic vs Reciprocal Inhibition (Part 2): Muscle Knots Explained
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...
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Autogenic vs Reciprocal Inhibition Series (Part 1): Terminology Breakdown
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-...
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NASM Program Design Linear and Undulating Periodization
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,...
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Overactive Underactive Muscle Practice Questions for NASM CPT Exam
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...
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NASM CPT Exercise Library Review | Most Tested Exercises & Assessments
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...
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NASM CPT Test Prep - Heart Circulation
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...
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NASM CPT Test Prep - Understanding Overactive/Underactive Muscles
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...
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NASM CPT Test Prep - Understanding the Resistance Chapter Exercise Library
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…
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NASM CPT Practice Questions Explained | Muscle Function & Movement Patterns
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...
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NASM CPT Test Prep - Understanding the OPT Model
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…
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NASM CPT Test Questions Explained | Practice Final Walkthrough
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...
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NASM CPT Practice Final + Test Strategy | Are You Ready for the NASM Exam?
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…
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NASM CPT Exam Study Guide Tips
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…
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Personal Training Sales and Marketing AMA, Part 4: Gen Z Tips
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...
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Personal Training Sales and Marketing AMA, Part 3: Marketing Tips for 2026
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...
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Personal Training Sales and Marketing AMA, Part 2: Marketing
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...
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Personal Training Sales and Marketing AMA, Part 1: Sales Tips
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...
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"A Day in the Life of a Personal Trainer" Episode 5: A Recent NASM CPT Shares His Test and Field Experience!
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:...
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"A Day in the Life of a Personal Trainer" Episode 4: A Gen-Z NASM Personal Trainer shares her CPT test experience, study tips, and success in the field!
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…
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"A Day in the Life of a Personal Trainer" Episode 3: A Successful NASM Personal Trainer Shares CPT Test and Job Tips!
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…
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"A Day in the Life of a Personal Trainer" Episode 2: A NASM CPT Shares Tips for Gen Z Success!
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...
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"A Day in the Life of a Personal Trainer" Episode 1: A Powerhouse CPT Shares Tips on Gym Sales and Being a Mom in the Personal Training Industry
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...
About this show
The CPT Academy Podcast is your resource for passing the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam and building a successful career in fitness. Hosted by Ashley from The CPT Academy, the show covers NASM CPT exam prep, study strategies, program design, coaching skills, and recertification topics. It also features the “Day in the Life” series, where Ashley interviews real personal trainers working in the field to share their experiences, sales techniques, and practical advice for new trainers.
Hosted by
The CPT Academy