The CPT Academy Podcast

The CPT Academy
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Fitness

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. Oct 26

    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 Performance Training Model) and explain how the levels and phases fit together.You’ll learn:- The 3 levels of the NASM OPT Model- The 5 phases of the NASM OPT Model- The difference between a training level and training phase- Why Phase 1: Stabilization Endurance is the foundation- How Phases 2–4 fit within the Strength Level- The difference between Strength Endurance, Hypertrophy/Muscular Development, and Max Strength- Why Phase 5: Power is its own level- How strength and speed combine to produce power- The overarching goals of the Stabilization, Strength, and Power levels- Why you need to understand the progression through the OPT Model for the NASM CPT exam- The NASM OPT Model at a glanceLEVEL 1 — STABILIZATIONPhase 1: Stabilization EnduranceGoal: Muscular endurance and neuromuscular efficiencyLEVEL 2 — STRENGTHPhase 2: Strength EndurancePhase 3: Hypertrophy / Muscular DevelopmentPhase 4: Max StrengthLEVEL 3 — POWERPhase 5: PowerGoal: Increase the rate of force production by combining strength and speedOne of the most important things to remember for the NASM CPT exam is that level and phase are not interchangeable terms. There are 3 levels but 5 phases.This video is part of the CPT Academy NASM CPT Study Series, designed to help you understand the concepts behind the NASM CPT exam instead of simply memorizing information.LEARN IT. UNDERSTAND IT. PASS YOUR EXAM.📚 More NASM CPT Study Resources👉 FREE NASM CPT Practice Test:https://www.thecptacademy.com/practicetest👉 FREE NASM CPT Study Resources:https://www.thecptacademy.com/free-q-a👉 CPT Academy NASM CPT Prep Course:https://www.thecptacademy.comSubscribe to CPT Academy for more NASM CPT exam prep, NASM study tips, practice questions, exercise library reviews, corrective exercise concepts, program design, and personal training education.#NASMCPT #NASM #NASMCPTExam #NASMOPTModel #PersonalTraining #CPTExam #PersonalTrainer #NASMStudy #CPTStudy #OPTModel

  2. Oct 14

    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 lesson, you'll learn how these concepts connect so you can recognize the movement pattern instead of memorizing isolated terms. Once you understand the relationship, you'll find it much easier to identify the associated overactive and underactive muscles on the NASM CPT exam.In this lesson you'll learn:✅ What Lower Crossed Syndrome is✅ Why it develops✅ How it relates to anterior pelvic tilt✅ How it relates to excessive lordosis✅ How it connects to the Overhead Squat Assessment✅ Why the same muscle imbalance appears in both posture and movement✅ NASM CPT study tips and memory shortcuts📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation ChartThe compensation chart summarizes the major movement compensations, postural distortion patterns, and muscle imbalances discussed throughout this series.🌐 https://www.thecptacademy.com🎥 Continue the Muscle Imbalance Series Playlist on Our Page!▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 1▶ Overhead Squat Assessment Part 2▶ Feet Turn Out, Knees Cave in, Low Back Arches ▶ Pronation Distortion Syndrome▶ Pes Planus▶ Lower Crossed Syndrome🎓 Preparing for the NASM CPT Exam?Visit TheCPTAcademy.com for:Comprehensive NASM CPT prepPractice examsVideo lessonsStudy guidesFree resourcesDesigned to help you understand movement and biomechanics—not just memorize muscle charts.#NASMCPT#LowerCrossedSyndrome#AnteriorPelvicTilt#CorrectiveExercise#PersonalTrainer

  3. Oct 5

    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 affects movement throughout the kinetic chain, and how it connects to the Overhead Squat Assessment.Instead of treating postural distortion syndromes as isolated concepts, you'll see how they build directly on the movement compensations you've already learned.In this lesson you'll learn:✅ What Pronation Distortion Syndrome is✅ Why it develops✅ How it changes movement patterns✅ How it relates to the Overhead Squat Assessment✅ How this syndrome connects to Feet Turn Out and Knees Cave In✅ NASM CPT exam tips📄 Download the FREE Overactive & Underactive Muscle Compensation ChartThe free compensation chart summarizes the major movement compensations and muscle imbalance patterns discussed throughout this series.🌐 https://www.thecptacademy.com🎥 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🎓 Preparing for the NASM CPT Exam?Visit TheCPTAcademy.com for:Comprehensive NASM CPT prepPractice examsVideo lessonsStudy guidesFree study resourcesDesigned to help you understand movement—not just memorize muscle charts.#NASMCPT#CorrectiveExercise#PosturalDistortionSyndrome#MovementAssessment#PersonalTrainer

  4. Sep 26

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

See All (36)

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
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The CPT Academy
  • Show Website
    The CPT Academy Podcast