Male athlete pushing a practice dummy on the football field
Male NASM trainer playing basketball with male client

PES

Performance Enhancement Specialization

If you love working with elite or recreational athletes, our Performance Enhancement Specialization is for you. Learn the science of sports performance enhancement through foundational concepts of exercise physiology, performance psychology, coaching and communication, and sports nutrition to help your clients reach their peak performance in any sport.

  • Master the art of sports performance enhancement to help your clients reach peak performance

  • Supercharge your career with the advanced performance training tools and strategies to train various athletes

  • Gain the insight to improve any athlete’s speed, strength, power and injury resistance

  • Deliver superior results utilizing the scientifically-backed Optimum Performance Training® (OPT™) model

  • Self-paced online program makes it easy and convenient to launch your new career from home in as little as 2 weeks

  • CEU Value: 1.9 NASM

Starting at

$/month

$0 down + 12 payments

or

$ $

One-Time Payment

up to % off

Zero-Interest Financing with Affordable Monthly Payments Available

Choose My Program

In the NASM Performance Enhancement Specialization program, you’ll learn the latest and most advanced strength and conditioning concepts to help you train a wide array of athletes for peak sports performance. With instruction in everything from exercise physiology to Olympic lifting, injury resistance training, sports nutrition, and much more, you’ll come out of this program armed with the tools you need to train athletes of all ages and levels to perform at their best.

When you choose NASM to pursue a Performance Enhancement Specialization, you’ll get access to:

  • • World-class fitness & nutrition experts

  • • Peer-reviewed content from the leading industry experts

  • • 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 Performance Enhancement Specialization curriculum here.

NASM’s online program makes pursuing a Performance Enhancement Specialization as easy and convenient as can be. By completing the self-guided study materials at your own pace, you can achieve a Performance Enhancement Specialization and begin working with clients in as little as 2 weeks.

To achieve an NASM Performance Enhancement Specialization, you simply have to:

  1. 1) Register in the PES program.

  2. 2) Complete the self-guided online study materials in your own time from the comfort of home.

  3. 3) Pass the certification exam.

After completing the study materials, you’ll take an online exam to achieve your Performance Enhancement Specialization. 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 12,000 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.

customize your payment plan

Choose your number of monthly payments, then select your program below:

4 monthly payments 12 monthly payments 18 monthly payments

Self-Study

 

$25 down +
Monthly Payments
$$$/month
$ $ $
? 0% interest, no fees, penalties or credit check!
or
$ $
One-Time Payment
Buy Now

Benefits

  • Advanced Program in Performance Exercise
  • 100% Online & Self-Paced Program
  • State-of-the-Art Digital Learning Platform
  • 44 High-Quality Videos Across 16 In-Depth Chapters
  • 35 Lecture Videos and 34 Demo Videos
  • Exercise Library with 64 Videos
  • 1.9 NASM CEUs
  • NASM PES Digital Textbook
  • 2 Online Practice Exams and PES Final Exam
  • Syllabus and Study Guide
  • Application Videos
  • Lecture Videos
  • Exercise Libraries
  • Module Quizzes
  • Certificate Upon Passing Exam
  • 1 Year Access
Learn More

Best Value

Premium Self-Study

 

$25 down +
Monthly Payments
$$$/month
$ $ $
? 0% interest, no fees, penalties or credit check!
or
$1,079 $1,799
One-Time Payment
Buy Now

Benefits

  • Everything in Self-Study plus...
  • Weight room maintenance and management training
  • Football, baseball, and basketball lecture videos
  • 9 Sample Programs
  • Youth Programming Booklet with Assessments
  • Sample Training Programs
  • General Nutrition Tips
  • Program Generator for Creating Macrocycle Strength and Conditioning Programs
Learn More

see the reviews

placeholder
“

I started my own mobile gym business coaching, gymnastics and dance and cheer. The reason I chose NASM is because I enjoy learning all different schools of thought, ways of coaching and applying that to my own training.

Nicole Z.| NASM CPT

placeholder
“

My life has completely changed and so I want as many people to feel what I feel and do what they want, what makes them happy.

Daniela C. | NASM CPT

placeholder
“

I'm so passionate about health and training because it has been so rewarding for me both in my job and my professional life and in my personal life.

Ben N. | NASM CPT

placeholder
“

I had friends who were personal trainers and NASM carried the highest reputation as far as getting a trainer certification so that's why I chose it.

Jason L. NASM CPT, CES, WLS, MMA

placeholder
“

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

placeholder
“

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

Questions? Get guidance from our Program Experts

1-800-460-6276

Ready to start?

Choose My Program Choose My Program
Choose My Program

CURRICULUM

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

Chapter 1: Integrated Training Essentials
The student will be able to identify the principles of integrated training and explain the components, scientific rationale, and evidence.

Chapter 2: Science of Human Movement
Identify key biomechanical terminology and topics, and explain functional anatomy as it relates to integrated sports performance training.

  • • 6 Videos

Chapter 3: Testing in Sports Performance
Describe the components and function of an integrated sports performance assessment, and identify methods for determining athlete readiness to perform.

Chapter 4: Flexibility Training Concepts
Explain the scientific rationale for the use of an integrated flexibility-training program.

Chapter 5: Metabolic Energy System Training
Differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic energy systems and describe the importance of the role of the metabolic energy system training in improving sports performance.

Chapter 6: Core Training Concept
Explain the importance of the core musculature and its relationship to performance enhancement.

Chapter 7: Balance Training Concepts
Describe the role of balance training in improving sports performance and injury prevention.

Chapter 8: Plyometric Training Concepts
Describe plyometric techniques and their purpose in performance enhancement and injury prevention.

Chapter 9: Speed, Agility, and Quickness Training
Understand speed, agility, and quickness (SAQ) techniques and their purpose in performance enhancement and injury prevention.

Chapter 10: Resistance Training Concepts
Describe the role of resistance training in improving sports performance and identify the stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome.

Chapter 11: The Science of Periodization of the OPT™ Model
Identify the acute training variables within the Optimum Performance Training® (OPT™) model.

  • • 18 Videos

Chapter 12: Olympic Lifting for Performance Enhancement
Explain the rationale for the use of the Olympic lifts in improving performance.

Chapter 13: Injury Prevention for the Athlete
Identify strategies for injury prevention and common injuries related to physical activity.

  • • 12 Videos

Chapter 14: Performance Nutrition
Explain the limits of nutritional advice under the scope of practice, and describe pre- and post-exercise nutrition strategies.

Chapter 15: Ergogenic Aids
Identify common substances used to enhance performance, ergogenic foods, and analyze ethical and legal issues related to the use of ergogenic aids.

Chapter 16: Psychology in Sports Performance
Explain performance psychology and its role in achieving athletic excellence.

  • • 8 Videos

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.

Performance Enhancement
Specialization FAQs

As one of the most trusted sources of fitness training certifications in the world, NASM is a distinguished name that will stand out to fitness employers. When you choose NASM for your Performance Enhancement 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 Leading Industry Experts

  • • 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

  • • 12K+ Gym & Health Club Partnerships

You may want to consider becoming an NASM PES if you are a:

  • • Personal trainer who wants to help clients perform better

  • • Athletic trainer who wants to help athletes perform at a peak level

  • • Strength and conditioning coach who wants to gain a systematic approach to better performance

  • • Physical therapist who wants to understand how to better train and rehabilitate athletic patients

  • • Coach who would benefit from a deep understanding of performance enhancement to get the most out of your athletes

  • • Athlete or fitness enthusiast who wants to understand the keys to performance and use them to unlock your potential

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.

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

NASM’s Performance Enhancement Specialization is approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the following organizations:

  • NASM Approved

    1.9 CEUs

  • ACE Approved

    2.0 CECs

  • 10 CIMSPA CPD Points

    10 CIMSPA Endorsed CPD Points

Yes, this program will satisfy the CEU requirements for your Certified Personal Trainer recertification. You are required to earn 1.9 CEUs, in addition, you also have to earn 0.1 CEUs from the CPR/AED certification for a total of 2.0 CEUs to get the recertification.

The Performance Enhancement Specialization exam is taken online inside your student portal. You'll have 365 days from the date of purchase, to study and complete the exam. 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 Performance Enhancement Specialization with NASM will never expire.

If you have any additional questions about this course, check out the NASM FAQ page or contact us today 1-800-460-6276!