The CPT Academy Podcast

The CPT Academy
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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.

  1. 6d ago

    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 chart as a study tool for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exam and explain how it connects to the Overhead Squat Assessment and the most common movement compensations.In this lesson you'll learn:✅ How to use the compensation chart✅ Why understanding patterns is better than memorization✅ How the chart connects to the Overhead Squat Assessment✅ Overactive vs. underactive muscle relationships✅ Memory shortcuts for the NASM CPT exam✅ How to study the chart more efficiently📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation ChartGet your free printable chart here:🌐 https://www.thecptacademy.comThis chart summarizes the major movement compensations, overactive muscles, and underactive muscles covered throughout this video series.🎥 Continue the Muscle Imbalance Series on Our Page!▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 1▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 2▶ Feet Turn Out ▶ Knees Cave In ▶ Low Back Arch ▶ Pronation Distortion Syndrome▶ Lower Crossed Syndrome🎓 Preparing for the NASM CPT Exam?Visit TheCPTAcademy.com for:Comprehensive NASM CPT prepPractice examsVideo lessonsStudy guidesFree study resourcesLearn the material with confidence—not just through memorization.#NASMCPT#OveractiveMuscles#UnderactiveMuscles#CorrectiveExercise#PersonalTrainer

  2. Sep 17

    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 you about the body's movement patterns. Instead of memorizing muscles, you'll begin understanding the biomechanics behind the movement so you can identify compensation patterns and confidently answer NASM CPT exam questions. In this lesson you'll learn:✅ What an excessive low back arch looks like✅ Why the low back arches during a squat✅ How this relates to anterior pelvic tilt✅ How to recognize the compensation during the Overhead Squat Assessment✅ Why understanding movement patterns is more valuable than memorizing charts📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation Chart The compensation chart summarizes every major movement compensation discussed throughout this series and serves as an excellent quick-reference study guide for the NASM CPT exam. 🌐 https://www.thecptacademy.com 🎥 Continue the Muscle Imbalance Series on Our Page!▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 1▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 2▶ Feet Turn Out ▶ Knees Cave In ▶ Postural Distortion Patterns▶ Pronation Distortion/Pes Planus▶ Lower Crossed Syndrome 🎓 Preparing for the NASM CPT Exam?Visit TheCPTAcademy.com for: Comprehensive NASM CPT prep Practice exams Study guides Video lessons Free study resources Designed to help you understand the material—not just memorize it. #NASMCPT#AnteriorPelvicTilt#OverheadSquatAssessment#CorrectiveExercise#PersonalTrainer

  3. Sep 8

    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 patterns, and why understanding the compensation is far more valuable than simply memorizing muscle charts.This lesson focuses on recognizing the movement itself and building the foundation you'll need before learning the overactive and underactive muscles in the next video.In this lesson you'll learn:✅ What "Knees Cave In" (Knee Valgus) means✅ Why this movement compensation occurs✅ How to recognize it during the Overhead Squat Assessment✅ Common causes of knee valgus✅ Why movement compensation follows predictable patterns📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation ChartThe compensation chart summarizes every major movement compensation discussed throughout this series and is an excellent study tool for the NASM CPT exam.🌐 https://www.thecptacademy.com 🎥 Continue the Series on Our Page! ▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 1▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 2▶ Feet Turn Out ▶ Low Back Arches▶ Postural Distortion Patterns🎓 Preparing for the NASM CPT Exam?Visit TheCPTAcademy.com for comprehensive NASM CPT prep, practice exams, study guides, and free resources designed to help you understand the material—not just memorize it.#NASMCPT#KneeValgus#OverheadSquatAssessment#CorrectiveExercise#PersonalTrainer

  4. Aug 31

    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 it fits into the Overhead Squat Assessment.Rather than memorizing a list of muscles, you'll begin building the logic behind movement compensation so you can recognize patterns and answer NASM exam questions with confidence. In this lesson you'll learn: ✅ What "Feet Turn Out" means ✅ Why this compensation occurs ✅ How to identify it during the Overhead Squat Assessment ✅ Common causes of the movement ✅ Why understanding movement is more valuable than memorization 📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation Chart The compensation chart summarizes every major movement compensation covered throughout this series and is an excellent study tool for the NASM CPT exam. 🌐 https://www.thecptacademy.com 🎥 Continue the Series on Our Page! ▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 1▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 2▶ Knees Cave In▶ Low Back Arches🎓 Preparing for the NASM CPT Exam? Visit TheCPTAcademy.com for comprehensive NASM CPT prep courses, practice exams, study guides, and free resources designed to help you understand the material—not just memorize it. #NASMCPT#OverheadSquatAssessment#CorrectiveExercise#PersonalTrainer#MovementAssessment

  5. Aug 22

    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 memorizing pictures from the textbook, you'll learn how to recognize movement patterns, understand proper squat mechanics, and identify the overactive and underactive muscles responsible for each compensation.In this lesson you'll learn:✅ Feet Turn Out✅ Knees Cave In (Knee Valgus)✅ Excessive Forward Lean✅ Low Back Arch✅ Arms Fall Forward✅ Proper Squat Alignment✅ Common Assessment Mistakes✅ NASM CPT Exam Tips 📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation Chart This quick-reference guide summarizes the major movement compensations, overactive muscles, and underactive muscles discussed throughout this series. 🌐 https://www.thecptacademy.com 🎥 Watch the Complete Muscle Imbalance Series on Our Page! ▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 1▶ Feet Turn Out ▶ Knees Cave In ▶ Low Back Arch ▶ Pronation Distortion Syndrome▶ Pes Planus▶ Lower Crossed Syndrome🎓 Preparing for the NASM CPT Exam? Visit TheCPTAcademy.com for: Comprehensive NASM CPT prep Practice exams Video lessons Study guides Free resources Designed to help you understand the material—not just memorize it. #NASMCPT#OverheadSquatAssessment#OHSA#CorrectiveExercise#PersonalTrainer

  6. Aug 13

    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 NASM exam questions with confidence.In this lesson, you'll learn the foundation of the Overhead Squat Assessment, including the five kinetic chain checkpoints, proper assessment procedures, anterior and lateral views, and the movement compensations you'll evaluate throughout the rest of this series.Rather than simply memorizing tables, you'll learn how to think through each compensation logically so you can understand the science behind the assessment.In this lesson you'll learn:✅ The five kinetic chain checkpoints✅ How to perform the NASM Overhead Squat Assessment✅ Anterior vs. lateral views✅ Which compensations to observe from each view✅ Proper squat technique✅ Common NASM CPT exam questions✅ How this assessment connects to overactive and underactive muscles 🎥 Continue the Series on Our Page!▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 1▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 2▶ Feet Turn Out ▶ Knees Cave In ▶ Low Back Arch ▶ Postural Distortion and Pes Planus ▶ Lower Crossed Syndrome📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation Charthttps://www.thecptacademy.comThis quick-reference guide summarizes the major compensation patterns discussed throughout this series and is an excellent study tool for the NASM CPT exam. 🎓 Looking for a complete NASM CPT study system? Visit: https://www.thecptacademy.com for comprehensive study resources, practice exams, and video lessons designed to help you pass the NASM CPT exam. #NASMCPT#OverheadSquatAssessment#OHSA#PersonalTrainer#CorrectiveExercise

  7. Aug 4

    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 what trainers need to know when designing safe and effective exercise programs.We'll discuss:• Osteopenia vs osteoporosis• Bone density and DEXA scans• How bone remodeling works• Why resistance training is critical for bone health• The role of exercise intensity in maintaining bone density• Risk factors for osteoporosis• Smoking, alcohol, calcium, and lifestyle factors• Menopause and osteoporosis risk• Exercise guidelines for clients with osteoporosis• Contraindications and safety considerations• Spinal loading and injury risk• Practical training recommendations for personal trainersWhether you're studying for the NASM CPT exam, already certified as a personal trainer, or simply interested in osteoporosis prevention and exercise, this video provides a practical, science-based overview of one of the most important health topics in fitness.🔹 Free NASM CPT Practice Test: https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest🔹 NASM CPT Prep Program: https://www.thecptacademy.com/ 🔹 Free Study Resources: https://www.thecptacademy.com/free-q-a#Osteoporosis #Osteopenia #BoneDensity #DEXAScan #ExerciseForOsteoporosis #OsteoporosisExercise #PersonalTrainer #NASMCPT #SpecialPopulations #FitnessEducation #StrengthTraining #Women'sHealth

  8. Jul 28

    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 answers, you'll learn how to identify keywords, eliminate distractors, and think through questions the same way you'll need to on exam day.Topics covered include:• Resistance exercise classification• Stabilization vs strength vs power exercises• Plyometric training concepts• Reactive stabilization• Integrated performance paradigm• Horizontal vs vertical loading• Sprint mechanics• Frontside and backside mechanics• SAQ training• Cardio stages and zones• General vs specific warm-ups• NASM CPT exam strategyIf you're preparing for the NASM CPT exam, these are exactly the types of questions and concepts you should expect to see.🔹 Free NASM CPT Practice Test: https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest🔹 NASM CPT Prep Program: https://www.thecptacademy.com/ 🔹 Free Study Resources: https://www.thecptacademy.com/free-q-a#NASMCPT #NASMPracticeQuestions #NASMExamPrep #NASMStudyGuide #PersonalTrainerCertification #Plyometrics #SAQTraining #CardioTraining #ResistanceTraining #ExerciseScience

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    The CPT Academy
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The CPT Academy
  • Show Website
    The CPT Academy Podcast

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