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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Jul 21

    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 the biceps curl.We'll cover:• How to read NASM's 4-beat tempo• Concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions• Stabilization tempo• Strength endurance tempo• Hypertrophy tempo• Max strength tempo• Power tempo• The difference between 3-beat and 4-beat tempo systems• Common NASM CPT exam mistakesIf tempo has always felt confusing, this video will simplify the process and give you a system you can use on test day.🔹 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 #NASMExamPrep #NASMPracticeQuestions #TempoTraining #PersonalTrainerCertification #NASMStudyGuide #ExerciseScience #FitnessEducation

  5. Jul 14

    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 inhibition isHow SMR and static stretching activate itWhat to do (and what to avoid)How this shows up in NASM test questions👉 This is where everything comes together into a simple system you can actually use.📘 What You’ll Learn:How to relax overactive (tight) musclesWhy foam rolling worksWhy slow stretching works (and fast doesn’t)How to recognize correct answers on the NASM exam🧠 Key Rule:Overactive muscle → Inhibit + LengthenUnderactive muscle → Activate + Strengthen🔁 Full Series:Part 1: TerminologyPart 2: AdhesionsPart 3: Length vs TensionPart 4: Autogenic Inhibition (this video)🧪 Free NASM Practice Test👉 https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest🎯 Full NASM CPT Prep Program👉 https://www.thecptacademy.com/🔔 Subscribe for More NASM Help#personaltrainer #certifiedpersonaltrainer #gym #nasm #fitnesscertification #nasmcpt

  6. Jul 7

    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 and corrective exercise actually work.We cover:Muscle spindles (length)Golgi tendon organs / GTOs (tension)What activates eachWhy fast stretching can backfireHow to use tension to reduce muscle tightness👉 If you’ve been confused about why some stretching methods work and others don’t, this is where it finally clicks.📘 What You’ll Learn:The difference between muscle spindles and GTOsWhat triggers contraction vs relaxationHow to apply this to tight musclesThe foundation for autogenic inhibition (Part 4)🔜 Series Breakdown:Part 1: Key TerminologyPart 2: Muscle Knots (Adhesions)Part 3: Length vs Tension (this video)Part 4: Autogenic Inhibition Applied🧪 Free NASM Practice Test👉 https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest🎯 Full NASM CPT Prep Program👉https://www.thecptacademy.com/🔔 Subscribe for the Full SeriesDon’t miss Part 4 where we apply everything.✅ If you want step-by-step breakdowns of techniques like this, our full prep program walks you through it clearly: https://www.thecptacademy.com/.Putting It All Together (Parts 1–3)Part 1 → defined the problemPart 2 → explained tissue changes (adhesions)Part 3 → explains the neurological mechanism👉 Now you understand both:Structural changesNeural responses✅ Apply this in real NASM-style scenarios with the free practice test and reinforce the concept: https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest.#personaltrainer #certifiedpersonaltrainer #gym #nasm #fitnesscertification #nasmcpt

  7. Jun 30

    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 adhesions contribute to overactive (tight) musclesHow to correct imbalances (inhibit, lengthen, activate, integrate)👉 If you’ve been told to “just stretch” tight muscles, this explains why that often doesn’t work—and what to do instead.📘 What You’ll Learn:The science behind tight/overactive musclesHow adhesions form and affect movementWhy tight muscles STAY tightThe correct NASM approach to fixing imbalances🔜 Series Breakdown:Part 1: Terminology (Muscle Imbalance, Synergistic Dominance, etc.)Part 2: Muscle Knots / Adhesions (this video)Part 3: Length vs Tension (Muscle Spindles vs GTOs)Part 4: Autogenic Inhibition Applied🧪 Free NASM Practice Test👉 https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest🎯 Full NASM CPT Prep Program👉https://www.thecptacademy.com/🔔 Subscribe for the Full SeriesDon’t miss the next parts where everything connects.#personaltrainer #certifiedpersonaltrainer #gym #nasm #fitnesscertification #nasmcpt

  8. Jun 23

    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- Altered reciprocal inhibition- Synergistic dominance- Arthrokinetic dysfunction👉 You’ll learn what each term means, see examples, and understand how they all connect.If you’ve been trying to memorize these terms and still feel confused, this will simplify it.📘 What You’ll Learn:Clear definitions of key NASM termsReal examples of each conceptHow these terms relate to each otherThe foundation for understanding inhibition🔜 Coming Next in the Series:Part 2: Understanding muscle "knots" (adhesions)Part 3: Muscle spindles vs. Golgi tendon organs (GTOs)Part 4: Autogenic inhibition and applying it to NASM Exam Questions🧪 Free NASM Practice Test👉 https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest🎯 Full NASM CPT Prep Program:If you want step-by-step breakdowns, practice exams, and a system that simplifies ALL NASM concepts, check it out here:👉 https://www.thecptacademy.com/🔔 Subscribe for the Full SeriesMake sure you don’t miss Parts 2–4!#personaltrainer #certifiedpersonaltrainer #gym #nasm #fitnesscertification #nasmcpt

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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
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The CPT Academy
  • Show Website
    The CPT Academy Podcast