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CORRECTIVE EXERCISE SPECIALIST
(NASM-CES)

Become an expert in human movement with NASM’s Corrective Exercise Specialization. Expand your expertise, better help your clients and start increasing your income today!

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$53 /month $25 down + 11 interest-free payments. 0% interest, no fees, penalties or credit check!

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$899

 

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What You’ll Learn

Specializing in Corrective Exercise with NASM can stretch your earning potential along with your clients’ abilities to reduce the risk of injury—helping them move, feel and live better.

Corrective exercise specialist performing resistance band workout.

By becoming a Corrective Exercise Specialist, you’ll take your fitness career and ability to help your clients to new levels. You’ll learn how to assess clients in a whole new way. It will help you better identify their movement compensations, where they are weak or strong, and hone your ability to use that knowledge to design effective and efficient programs.

You’ll take your ability to assess clients from generalized to specific, breaking assessments down into smaller, more in-depth pieces so you can identify different parts of the body in need of attention.

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From clients who spend all day at a desk to professional athletes and everyone in between, NASM’s Corrective Exercise Specialist program will help you make them move and feel better.

Corrective exercise specialization with a yoga ball

Our CES program is powered by our world-renowned Corrective Exercise Continuum (CEx). With it, you’ll learn a simple yet highly effective four-step process to help your clients improve, and ultimately, correct frequent movement compensations both pre- and post-workout. You’ll also become an expert at outlining and creating an individualized strategy for each client to help them more effectively accomplish fitness goals, have a more efficient workout, and recover from workouts faster.

We’ve taken the latest and most prominent research in functional movement and corrective exercise and developed a system that helps you, the trainer, apply it practically with a wide array of clients.

Specializing in Corrective Exercise with NASM won’t just benefit your clients. It can stretch your earning potential too. And it’s not just for personal trainers either. This program is vital for every person in the fitness and wellness field – from massage therapists to coaches, chiropractors, and more. If the NASM OPT™ Model is the way you build an effective and efficient workout program, the Corrective Exercise Continuum (CEx) is the foundation upon which you build it.

Why Become a Corrective Exercise Specialist?

  • Help clients move better in every facet of their life
  • Reach a wider group of potential clients and keep your current clients
  • Program more efficient and effective workouts
  • Help clients recover from workouts faster
  • Help clients meet their fitness and movement goals more efficiently
  • Expand your expertise while earning enough Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to recertify your Trainer Certification
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NASM-CPTs who have an NASM-CES earn 26% more than other personal trainers.1

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80% of professional basketball teams have an NASM-CES on their staff.

(Source: NBATA)

Revolutionary Digital Learning Platform

Access NASM's Corrective Exercise Specialization on a high-end, interactive digital learning platform that can be used anytime, anywhere, and on any device! Take a quick tour below to get a firsthand look at the tools and features of this revolutionary platform.

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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 (int'l)

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

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

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

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

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
  2. Corrective Strategies for the LPHC
  3. Corrective Strategies for the Foot and Ankle
  4. Corrective Strategies for the Knee
  5. Corrective Strategies for Elbow and Wrist
  6. 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.

 

FAQs

Corrective Exercise is a technique that addresses and fixes movement compensations. The goal is to improve the overall quality of movement during workouts and in everyday life. Read more about what Corrective Exercise is.

A Corrective Exercise Specialist is an expert in human movement. They accurately analyze a client's movement patterns, identify overactive and underactive muscle groups and compensations.

People who hold a Corrective Exercise Specialization can work at a wide range of fitness facilities including gyms, health clubs, sports performance centers, recovery centers, healthcare offices and fitness studios. Read more about what a Corrective Exercise Specialist does and who should become an NASM-CES.

Once you pass your final exam, your NASM-CES specialization certificate never expires and does not require you to renew.

 
While a Personal Training Certification is suggested, it is not required to take the NASM-CES course. To participate, it is recommended you hold a CPT, accredited health or fitness certification, a 4-year college degree in a similar field, or be a current Certified Massage Therapist.
NASM-CES is approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the following organizations:
NASM Provider logo

1.9 CEUs

ACE Provider Logo

2.0 CECs

NSCA Logo

2.0 CEUs

CIMPSA Provider Logo

10 CIMSPA Endorsed CPD Points

Learning Hours/EREPS Logo

10 Learning Hours

Mobile NASM Provider logo

1.9 CEUs

Mobile ACE Provider Logo

2.0 CECs

Mobile NSCA Provider Logo

2.0 CEUs

Mobile CIMPSA Provider Logo

10 CPD Points

Mobile Learning Hours/EREPS Logo

10 Learning Hours

Unfortunately, no. The CES exam is not available for a la carte purchase.
The course exam is available for 365 days from the date of enrollment.
The final exam is administered online within your student portal. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes for completion.

Who Should Become an NASM-CES?

  • kettlebell and dumbbell white outline icon

    Personal Trainers

    The NASM-CES gives personal trainers the tools and resources necessary to help their clients move better.
  • physical therapist with hands on back white outlined icon

    Physical Therapists

    Corrective exercise techniques can be used as a bridge to help patients progress from the treatment room towards accomplishing their physical movement goals.
  • person with spin white outlined icon

    Chiropractors

    Chiropractors can help clients move properly and participate in everyday life and athletic activities by utilizing corrective exercises.
  • whistle white outlined icon

    Fitness Coaches

    Fitness coaches can corrective exercise strategies to help their client’s quality, of movement, enhance recovery, and help them more resistant to injury.
  • two hands massaging one hand white outlined icon

    Massage Therapists

    Licensed Massage Therapists will learn more targeted ways to do soft tissue work as well as help them suggest self-care recovery programming.
  • white with lines going to the left white outlined icon

    Strength and Conditioning Coaches

    Strength and conditioning coaches can help clients enhance their movement and increase performance with training that targets strength and flexibility.
Profile picture of CES specialist 5 stars

"I'm very passionate about the Corrective Exercise Specialist because it's something that helped propel my career. In 2006 that's when I was exposed to the NASM corrective exercise specialization. I went through the course and it really transformed my business as a trainer. I became a lot busier because I knew I could work with a wider variety of clients. But on a personal level it helped me. I wasn't moving that great. I was in my early 30s, and I had some pain in my hip and also my shoulders from lifting heavy. And by following the protocols in the program I felt better. I became very passionate about corrective exercise, and I help teach other people how to get this as well. "

 

Mike Fantigrassi
Sr. Director Product Development, NASM

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Profile picture of CES specialist 5 stars

"I know when I first started training with the CES, that's when my business picked up and I started getting a lot more clients and a lot of people that I wouldn't have normally seen. I wanted to train a lot of the athletic folks, and it's been amazing that even with elite athletes that I've trained, I do more of corrective exercise with them than probably almost anything else."

 

Rick Richey
Co-Founder at RēCOVER, owner of Independent Training Spot
and NASM Master Instructor

Profile picture of CES specialist 5 stars

"I could probably say that I owe my career and where I'm at today to the Corrective Exercise Specialization . By implementing the assessments, programming, and solutions that I learned through the CES program, it allowed me to work with a wide variety of clients that I might not have been able to work with and help achieve their goals otherwise."

 

Tony Ambler-Wright
MS, NASM Master Instructor

Profile picture of CES specialist 5 stars

"As a Corrective Exercise Specialist, I help athletes and clients reduce movement dysfunctions. The NASM-CES helps me keep them active and doing what they love."

 

Kathy Zetter Berg
NASM Master Trainer, CPT, CES, PES, GFS

Show Fewer Testimonials

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Why Choose NASM

For more than a decade and a half, NASM’s Corrective Exercise Specialization has been the gold standard in teaching trainers how to help their clients prepare for their workouts and feel great. How long have we been preparing trainers in the field? Since the beginning. We even coined the term “Corrective Exercise”!

a plus symbol Expand Why Choose NASM

Not all Corrective Exercise Specialist programs are created equal. Unlike other functional and human movement programs on the market, an NASM-CES doesn’t just help you assess clients’ movement patterns and identify dysfunctions. It enables you to create more effective workouts, as well.

We’re excited to bring you the latest version of our Corrective Exercise Specialization! The New NASM-CES is the most complete and up-to-date program on functional movement in the industry. We’ve brought together the best practitioners and researchers in the world of human movement, including experts in the fields of clinical application, physical therapy, exercise programming, recovery and performance, flexibility research, personal training, and more to help create the most comprehensive course in the market.

A CES specialist using a tablet

This new version allows you to access your NASM-CES content wherever you are. Whether you’re at home on your tablet, at the gym on your phone, or a desk in front of your laptop, you can see everything the course has to offer. Start on one device and pick up where you left off on another. Study whenever and wherever you want with no hassle at all.

That’s not all though, we’ve also added the latest research and insight from the best experts in the industry and included new modules on Self-Care and Recovery, how to apply CES in multiple environments, communication and coaching strategies and more. Every aspect of the new NASM Corrective Exercise Specialization was created with you and your career in mind.

 

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CHOOSE A PROGRAM THAT WORKS FOR YOU

 

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SHOW FEATURES

  • CEU Value 1.9

  • NASM-CES Digital Course Content

  • Content & Learning Videos

  • Coaching Demonstrations

  • Advanced Video Animations

  • Quizzes

  • Online Practice Exam

  • Online CES Exam

  • 16 Audio Lectures

  • 6 Webinars

  • Biodigital Models

  • Suggested Study Schedule

  • Exam Study Guide

Learn More

/month

LEARN MORE
or go straight to cart to buy now

 

Premium Self-Study

/month

Interest-free payment plans

or

()

SHOW FEATURES

  • CEU Value 1.9

  • NASM-CES Digital Course Content

  • Content & Learning Videos

  • Coaching Demonstrations

  • Advanced Video Animations

  • Quizzes

  • Online Practice Exam

  • Online CES Exam

  • 16 Audio Lectures Each lecture varies in length from 15-25 minutes.

  • 6 Webinars Webinars are approximately 30 minutes in length and give students a step-by-step follow along process of how to implement the 4-step corrective process from assessment and program design to the exercise technique required to perform the workout program.

  • Biodigital Models These interactive animations display the various movement impairments observed in the overhead and single-leg squat assessments as discussed in the CES course. Overactive and underactive muscles are highlighted and labeled in each model.

  • Suggested Study Schedule

  • Exam Study Guide Reviews the key materials to study for the final exam.

Learn More

/month

LEARN MORE
or go straight to cart to buy now

To purchase a hardcopy textbook, add NASM Essentials of Corrective Exercise Training, 2nd Edition to your cart. If you're interested in attending a workshop, learn more about the Corrective Exercise Virtual Workshop taught by an NASM Master Instructor.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Talk to one of our program advisors to learn more about the NASM-CES. Fill out the form and you will be contacted within 1 business day.

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1 2018 Annual NASM-CPT survey, n=1,586

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