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CES

Corrective Exercise Specialization

Do you want to be the kind of expert who understands the science of human movement and uses it to help others achieve a better quality of life? With the NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist credential, you’ll gain the tools to help clients and athletes optimize their movement quality and reduce movement habits that create discomfort, increase wear and tear, and interfere with proper movement.

Master the art and science of human movement to help clients reduce injury risk and maximize performance
Learn posture, movement, and mobility assessments to identify movement compensations
Use the same advanced techniques utilized by performance staff across all major sports leagues
Stretch your earning potential and work with a wider variety of clients
Learn NASM’s world-renowned Corrective Exercise Continuum to optimize movement, performance, and recovery
CES professionals earn a 20% higher salary on average than other personal trainers, per the 2021 Annual NASM CPT Survey.*
Self-paced online program makes it easy and convenient to launch your new career from home in as little as 4 weeks
CEU Value: 1.9 NASM

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NASM’s Corrective Exercise Specialization covers advanced topics needed to assess and correct muscle imbalances and movement compensations across all major joints. With the help of this specialization, you’ll be able to provide a highly sought-after service for a wider range of clients—including athletes and people who are post-treatment and post-rehab for musculoskeletal disorders.

When you choose NASM for your Corrective Exercise Specialization, you’ll get access to:

• World-class fitness & nutrition experts
• Peer-reviewed content from the brightest minds in the industry
• State-of-the-art digital learning platform designed to meet multiple learning styles
• A curriculum that is consistently reviewed and updated with the most up-to-date material available

See the full Corrective Exercise Specialization curriculum here.

NASM’s online program makes achieving your Corrective Exercise Specialization easy and convenient. By completing the self-guided study materials at your own pace, you can achieve your Corrective Exercise Specialization and begin working with clients in as little as 4 weeks.

To achieve your NASM Corrective Exercise Specialization, you simply have to:

1) Register in the CES program.
2) Complete the self-guided online study materials in your own time from the comfort of home.
3) Pass the certification exam.

You’ll have 365 days to take an online Corrective Exercise Specialization exam. This exam features:

• 100 multiple-choice questions
• 90 minutes to complete
• Open-book format
• 70% required to pass
• 3 test attempts included

NASM has over 35 years of experience training the world’s top fitness professionals, and we do it better than anyone else. NASM credentials stand out to employers and distinguish you as a highly trained fitness professional.

Since our formation, we’ve trained over 1.5 million fitness professionals in 100+ countries. In that time we’ve developed extensive partnerships with over 14,000+ gyms and health clubs. That means we have the connections necessary to help you get in the door and gain employment from the fitness company of your dreams.

The official education provider for

Professional Athletic
trainer associations

Professional Soccer
Athletic Trainers' Society

Professional Hockey
Athletic Trainers' Society

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Advanced Program in Human Movement and Corrective Exercise
100% Online & Self-Paced Program
State-of-the-Art Digital Learning Platform
Written and reviewed by renowned experts in the fields of physical therapy, athletic training, and sports performance.
Includes an array of instructional videos, graphics, handouts, and practice quizzes to ensure you'll master the concepts and provide superior services for your clients.
Coaching Demonstrations
Advanced Video Animations
Online Practice Exam and CES Final Exam
1.9 NASM CEUs
Digital Certificate and Digital Badge Upon Passing Exam

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Everything in Self-Study +

16 Advanced Audio Lectures on Challenging Topics
6 Webinars on Programming for Common Compensations
Exam Study Guide
Biodigital Models to Visualize Movement Assessments and Muscle Involvement
Suggested Study Schedule

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see the reviews

“

Why NASM? Because I believe is the easiest, most effective, most robust way to learn the material you’re going to need to better another individual’s life.

Jake Olson | Former USC Football Player, NASM CES, NASM GFS, Motivational Speaker

“

NASM has provided me with the knowledge that I need to be a confident trainer and I think that shines through when you meet new people and new clients, that you're confident in your craft.

Cornelia H. | NASM CPT

“

Empathy has a huge tie in with NASM's core values. This organization is tied to a system that's designed to help people no matter where they're coming from and where they want to go.

Ken Miller MS, Master Trainer | NASM-CPT, CES, PES, GFS Pain Free Movement Specialist

“

My dream is to reach out to as many people as I can. Inspiring them to live healthier lifestyles. I love challenging people and then seeing them overcome their challenges, that makes me so happy.

Joanne S. | NASM CPT

“

When you are training, you spend every day on your schedule, having as much fun as you want, working as hard as you want, to me that’s freedom. To me, that’s me running my own business, and doing it the way I want to do it.

Jordan T. | NASM CPT

“

The thing that makes NASM different is they really break down scientific details.

Desiree H. | NASM CPT and WLS

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CURRICULUM

Although it is not required, it is recommended that candidates have at least one of the following credentials:

• NASM-CPT Certification
• Certified Massage Therapist
• NCCA, NBFE or DETC Accredited Health/Fitness Certification
• 4-Year College Degree
• REPs Level 3 or higher (international)

Chapter 1: Rationale for Corrective Exercise
The student will understand the rationale and importance of delivering corrective exercise training to clients.

Chapter 2: Human Movement Science and Corrective Exercise
Discover the relationship between functional anatomy, the human movement system, and optimal movement and how this applies to the overall corrective exercise strategy.

• 5 Infographics
• 9 Videos
• 5 Knowledge Checks
• 2 Printable Handouts

Chapter 3: Inhibitory Techniques
Choose and implement the appropriate inhibitory strategies based on the current evidence gained from the assessments you’ve conducted.

Chapter 4: Lengthening Techniques
Learn the rationale and proper implementation of various flexibility modalities.

Chapter 5: Activation Techniques
Understand the guidelines, precautions, and contraindications for implementing isolated strengthening exercises.

Chapter 6: Integration Techniques
Understand the importance of integrated dynamic movement and how to progress these movements to reach your client’s performance goals.

• 5 Infographics
• 8 Videos
• 12 Knowledge Checks
• 4 Printable Handouts

Chapter 7: Client Intake and Assessment
Learn best practices for client intake and assessment to create the most targeted training program that addresses their specific needs.

Chapter 8: Static Assessments
Unlock the vital first step in the corrective exercise assessment process, which gives insight into the overall body alignment of the client.

Chapter 9: Movement Assessments
Movement assessments are the cornerstone of the assessment process. Work through the assessment flowchart, selecting the most relevant and targeted assessments.

Chapter 10: Mobility Assessments
Gain an understanding of how to further refine the assessment process with targeted mobility assessments.

• 7 Infographics
• 24 Videos
• 12 Knowledge Checks
• 25 Printable Handouts

Chapter 11: Corrective Strategies for the Foot and Ankle
Human movement is a complex balance of sensory stimulation, neuromuscular control, and biomechanical stabilization. At the root of human movement is the relationship between the foot and ankle. This chapter will review and explain the vital function of this aspect of the kinetic chain.

Chapter 12: Corrective Strategies for the Knee
Because the knee is so commonly injured, it is essential to know the kinetic function of this area of the body. You will learn the basic anatomy of the knee, strategies for treating it with corrective exercises, and how to identify abnormal muscle activation patterns.

Chapter 13: Corrective Strategies for the Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Complex
The lumbo-pelvic-hip complex (LPHC) is a region of the body that has a massive influence on the structures above and below it. Because of this influence on neighboring muscles and joints, it's an incredibly important region to understand. The Corrective Exercise Specialist will learn how to ensure clients' LPHC are moving efficiently and safely.

Chapter 14: Corrective Strategies for the Thoracic Spine and Shoulder
This chapter will delve into the anatomy of the thoracic spine and shoulder, the mechanisms for common injuries in this region, the influence of altered thoracic spine movements on the kinetic chain, and more.

Chapter 15: Corrective Strategies for the Wrist and Elbow
The elbow joint functions as a link between the shoulder and wrist, providing a large amount of stability and motion. Given the complexity and necessity of the wrist and elbow, dysfunction can often be debilitating to normal activities of daily living. Within this chapter of the course, you will learn how to navigate this complex interplay between the wrist and elbow.

Chapter 16: Corrective Strategies for the Cervical Spine
This chapter will show you anatomy of the cervical spine, how to determine appropriate systematic assessment strategies for the cervical spine, how to select the appropriate strategies, and common injuries found in this region of the body.

Chapter 17: Self-Care and Recovery
Intense training and life stress can place unfamiliar demands on the body. Learn recovery strategies to mitigate the effects of these stressors on the body so that your clients can perform at an optimal level.

Chapter 18: Real-World Application of Corrective Exercise Strategies
Learn how to implement corrective exercise in a variety of scenarios and environments for clients with varying goals.

• 2 Infographics
• 10 Videos
• 28 Knowledge Checks
• 22 Printable Handouts

The Premium Self-Study package includes 16 audio lectures, 6 webinars, a suggested study schedule, and exam study guide.

Audio lectures:

1. What is Regional Interdependence?
2. Why Implement Corrective Exercise? What Does the Science Say?
3. The Science Behind Flexibility and Self-Myofascial Techniques
4. Motor Control, Motor Learning and Motor Development
5. Optimal Length-Tension Relationships and Optimal Force
6. Force-Couple Relationships
7. Muscular/Movement Subsystems
8. The Science of Inhibition Techniques
9. The Science of Lengthening Techniques
10. The Science of Activation Techniques
11. The Science of Integration Techniques
12. The Rationale for Dynamic Assessments
13. Rest
14. Refuel
15. Regenerate
16. Avoid Skipping Phases: Using all four phases of the Corrective Exercise Continuum

Webinars:

1. Corrective Strategies for the Shoulder and Thoracic Spine Corrective Strategies for the LPHC
2. Corrective Strategies for the Foot and Ankle
3. Corrective Strategies for the Knee
4. Corrective Strategies for Elbow and Wrist
5. Corrective Strategies for Cervical Spine

After the completion of the course, you will take an online final exam from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you prefer to take tests, that consists of 100 questions. Each question will be multiple-choice. The exam is timed and cannot exceed 90 minutes. To pass, you need a score of 70% or higher. Don’t fret though, if you score below that, you have up to 3 attempts to pass.

Corrective Exercise Specialization FAQS

As one of the most trusted sources of fitness training certifications and credentials in the world, NASM is a distinguished name that will stand out to employers. When you choose NASM for your Corrective Exercise Specialization, you’ll get access to world-class fitness experts, your top choice of gyms to work for, and much more:

• Peer-Reviewed Content from the Brightest Minds in the Industry
• State-of-the-Art Digital Learning Platform
• Programs Designed to Meet Multiple Learning Styles
• 35+ Years Of Experience Training Fitness Professionals
• 1.5M+ Fitness Professionals Trained
• 100+ Countries with NASM Fitness and Coach Professionals
• 14K+ Health Club Partnerships

Over the course of our lives, we develop movement imbalances and compensations that lead to unhealthy movement patterns. Corrective Exercise is a series of assessment and movement techniques that address these unhealthy patterns and help improve movement quality, and therefore overall quality of life, more effective workouts, and improved function in everyday life.

As a Corrective Exercise Specialist, you'll use your knowledge and skills to assess your client's posture, joint mobility, and movement quality. You'll correct your client’s muscle imbalances and faulty movement patterns to help them gain the necessary flexibility and strength to reduce injury risk and maximize exercise performance.

Fitness professionals who should consider becoming an NASM CES include:

• Personal trainers who want to help their clients move better and increase resistance to injury
• Physical therapists who want to help improve their patients’ progress
• Chiropractors who want to help their clients achieve better results and recovery
• Fitness coaches who want to help their clients enhance their recovery and become more resistant to injury
• Massage therapists who want to learn more ways to suggest self-care recovery programming
• Strength and conditioning coaches who want to help athletes increase performance and durability with targeted warm-up protocols, flexibility, and strength work that improve movement quality

When you achieve your Corrective Exercise Specialization, you’ll be eligible to work at a wide range of gyms, health clubs, sports performance centers, recovery centers, health care offices, fitness studios, and more.

It’s not required, but we recommend having at least one of these credentials before you pursue the Corrective Exercise Specialization:

• NASM CPT certification (learn more about how to become a Certified Personal Trainer)
• Certified Massage Therapist
• NCCA, NBFE or DETC Accredited Health/Fitness Certification, or a 4-year college degree in a similar field
• REPs Level 3 or higher for international trainers

NASM CES is approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the following organizations:

1.9 CEUs
2.0 CECs
2.0 CECs
10 CIMPSA Endorsed CPD Points
10 Learning Hours

This program will provide you with a total of 1.9 CEUs. In order to complete the required 2.0 CEUs for renewal, you must apply your hands on CPR/AED card for the additional 0.1 CEU.

You will have 1 year from the day of registration to take your final exam. An extension can be purchased by calling Member Services at 1-800-460-6276.

The Corrective Exercise Specialization exam is taken online inside your student portal. This exam features:

• 100 multiple-choice questions
• 90 minutes to complete
• Open-book format
• 70% required to pass
• 3 test attempts included

Don’t worry! You’ll have 3 attempts to pass the final exam, and you can purchase additional retests by calling Member Services at 1-800-460-6276.

No. Once you pass the final exam, your Corrective Exercise Specialization with NASM will never expire.

The Survey was conducted online by Nucleus Marketing Labs on behalf of NASM in July 2021, targeting certified personal trainers. There were 1,495 CPTs who responded to the survey. Statistical data provided herein have a margin of error of +/- 2.5% with a 95% confidence.