NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training

Chapter 1. Structure and Function of the Muscular, Nervous, and Skeletal Systems
Jared W. Coburn, PhD, and Moh H. Malek, PhD

Chapter 2. Structure and Function of the Cardiorespiratory System
Michael R. Esco, PhD, and Moh H. Malek, PhD

Chapter 3. Bioenergetics
Carmine Grieco, PhD, and N. Travis Triplett, PhD

Chapter 4. Biomechanics
Douglas W. Powell, PhD, and Megan A. Bryanton Jones, PhD

Chapter 5. Responses and Adaptations to Resistance Training
Michael D. Roberts, PhD, and Kevin W. McCurdy, PhD

Chapter 6. Responses and Adaptations to Aerobic Endurance Training
Don Melrose, PhD, and David J. Heikkinen, PhD

Chapter 7. Nutrition Concepts and Strategies
Eric R. Helms, PhD, and Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD

Chapter 8. Exercise Psychology, Goal Setting, and Motivation
E. Whitney G. Moore, PhD, and Brian T. Gearity, PhD

Chapter 9. Client Consultation and Health Appraisal
Robert Linkul, MS, and Chat Williams, MS

Chapter 10. Fitness Evaluation, Selection, and Administration
Robert Lockie, PhD, and Laura Kobar, MS, MC

Chapter 11. Fitness Evaluation Protocols and Norms
David H. Fukuda, PhD, and Kristina L. Kendall, PhD

Chapter 12. Flexibility and Warm-Up Concepts and Bodyweight and Stability Ball Exercise Technique
Nick Tumminello, Jonathan Mike, PhD, and Jay Dawes, PhD

Chapter 13. Resistance Exercise Technique
Ronald L. Snarr, PhD, and Alexis Batrakoulis, MS

Chapter 14. Cardiovascular Exercise Technique
Benjamin H. Reuter, PhD, and Margaret T. Jones, PhD

Chapter 15. Resistance Training Program Design
Brad J. Schoenfeld, PhD, and Ronald L. Snarr, PhD

Chapter 16. Aerobic Training Program Design
Mike Martino, PhD, and Nicole C. Dabbs, PhD

Chapter 17. Plyometric and Speed Training Program Design and Technique
Jason C. Casey, PhD, and Chris A. Bailey, PhD

Chapter 18. Clients Who Are Preadolescent, Older, or Pregnant
Wayne L. Westcott, PhD, and Avery D. Faigenbaum, EdD

Chapter 19. Clients With Nutritional or Metabolic Concerns
Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD, and Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD

Chapter 20. Clients With Cardiovascular or Respiratory Conditions
Cindy M. Kugler, MS, Steven M. Laslovich, PhD, and Paul Sorace, MS

Chapter 21. Clients With Orthopedic, Injury, or Rehabilitation Concerns
Morey J. Kolber, PhD, PT, Dean Robert Somerset, BSc, and Michael G. Miller, PhD, ATC

Chapter 22. Clients With Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, or Cerebral Palsy
Gavin Colquitt, EdD, and Kelli M. Clark, DPT

Chapter 23. Resistance Training for Clients Who Are Athletes
Joseph J. Bonyai, MEd, and Tyler D. Williams, PhD

Chapter 24. Facility and Equipment Layout and Maintenance
Jamie L. Aslin, MS, and Chat Williams, MS

Chapter 25. Professional, Legal, and Ethical Responsibilities of Personal Trainers
Anthony A. Abbott, EdD, and Georgia H. Goslee, JD

Appendix: The Business of Personal Training
Mark A. Nutting, BS and Robert Linkul, MS

Developed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, Third Edition With HKPropel Access, is the definitive reference for personal training professionals and students. This comprehensive guide to personal training, with contributions from leaders in the field, provides the most accurate and reliable information and guidance for current and aspiring professionals.

Updated to reflect the latest research, with clear explanations of supporting scientific evidence, this edition will give readers the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed by modern personal training professionals. New content addresses the latest objectives found on the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) exam, maintaining this text’s position as the single best resource for those preparing for the NSCA-CPT exam.

NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, Third Edition, provides guidelines for the complex process of designing safe, effective, and goal-specific resistance, aerobic, plyometric, and speed training programs for clients of all ages and fitness levels. With comprehensive coverage of various categories of unique client needs, readers will learn how to make specific modifications and adjust exercise programs for each individual client. Multiple fitness testing protocols and norms for each component of fitness—including 10 new tests—are all presented, along with instructions that are detailed yet easy to follow.

Over 200 full-color photos and accompanying instructions clearly describe and visually show proper technique for exercises and drills, including stretching, plyometrics, and stability ball exercises. There are new sections on suspension training, manual resistance training, and common types of resistance training equipment. Plus, 27 online videos, delivered through HKPropel, demonstrate exercise technique in action, preparing readers to instruct clients through safe exercise performance. Students will also be able to complete chapter quizzes assigned by instructors through HKPropel.

Study questions at the end of each chapter, written in the same style and format as those found on the NSCA-CPT exam, facilitate learning of chapter content and fully prepare candidates for exam day. Practicing professionals and aspiring professionals alike will benefit from a new appendix of advice on building a successful career as a personal trainer.

NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, Third Edition, remains the most comprehensive resource available for personal training preparation and professional development. Unmatched in scope, this essential text continues to be a definitive reference for current and future personal trainers, exercise instructors, fitness facility and wellness center managers, and other fitness professionals.

Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is included with all new print books.

ABOUT THE NSCA
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is the world’s leading organization in the field of sport conditioning. Drawing on the resources and expertise of the most recognized professionals in strength training and conditioning, sport science, performance research, education, and sports medicine, the NSCA is the world’s trusted source of knowledge and training guidelines for coaches and athletes. The NSCA provides the crucial link between the lab and the field.

ABOUT THE EDITORS
Brad J. Schoenfeld, PhD, CSCS,*D, CSPS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FNSCA, is internationally regarded as one of the foremost authorities on muscle hypertrophy. He has worked with numerous elite-level athletes, including many top pros. Dr. Schoenfeld was the 2011 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Personal Trainer of the Year. He was the recipient of the 2016 Dwight D. Eisenhower Fitness Award, which is presented by the United States Sports Academy for outstanding achievement in fitness and for contributions to the growth and development of sport fitness through outstanding leadership activity. He was also the 2018 cowinner of the NSCA Outstanding Young Investigator Award.

Dr. Schoenfeld earned his PhD in health promotion and wellness at Rocky Mountain University, where his research focused on elucidating the mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific papers and serves on the editorial advisory boards for several journals, including the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. He is the author of multiple fitness books, including Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy, The M.A.X. Muscle Plan, and Strong & Sculpted.

Dr. Schoenfeld is a full professor of exercise science at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York, and is director of the graduate program in human performance and fitness. He previously served as the sports nutrition consultant to the New Jersey Devils hockey organization.

Ronald L. Snarr, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D, TSAC-F*D, is an assistant professor of exercise science at Missouri State University. He has over 15 years of personal training and strength and conditioning experience, having worked with athletes at the Olympic, professional, and collegiate levels; firefighters; police officers; adapted athletes; and others. Dr. Snarr earned his PhD in exercise physiology and human performance from the University of Alabama, his master’s degree in exercise science from Auburn University at Montgomery, and his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Snarr is also completing another master’s degree in applied biostatistics with a focus on research design and methodology.

His current research focuses include high-intensity interval training, tactical athlete and adapted athlete performance, electromyography, and body composition. From these interests, he has published over 75 peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented at multiple national and regional conferences. He serves on the editorial board for Personal Training Quarterly. He is also currently authoring a textbook on scientific writing for the field of kinesiology. Dr. Snarr was named the recipient of the 2020 Junior Researcher of the Year Award by the Water’s College of Health Professions at Georgia Southern University.