Build expertise, prepare for your exam and earn continuing education credits with online learning.
91 of 588 courses · National members receive member rates. Prices from the ACSM PathLMS catalog.
Wearable technology continues to evolve from chest straps and armbands to smart rings, watches, and patches but how much of what we measure is truly meaningful? This session bridges science and practice by exploring the validity and reliability of today’s most common wearable metrics and their…
What do we really know about menstrual cycle training, is it social media hype or science? As more programs and influencers promote “cycle syncing” for performance, strength, and recovery, it’s essential for exercise professionals to understand what the research actually supports. This session…
Power training isn’t just for athletes; it’s essential for healthy aging. This session challenges outdated beliefs that equate aging with frailty and explores the growing body of evidence supporting power training for older adults. Expert scientists and practitioners will share the latest…
When does trusting an AI algorithm cross the line from helpful insight to ethical risk? AI is reshaping the fitness industry not to replace coaches, but to redefine their role. By automating routine programming and administrative tasks, AI gives professionals more bandwidth to focus on…
Recovery nutrition is often surrounded by hype but does the science support what’s trending on social media and in marketing? This session breaks down the evidence on protein, carbohydrates, and hydration for recovery, separating fact from fiction for both high-performance athletes and everyday…
When does corrective exercise cross the line from enhancing movement to treating an injury? This session examines the science behind movement screening and corrective strategies, emphasizing how to recognize red flags that indicate the need for referral. Participants will explore the boundaries…
What if recovery wasn’t a bonus offering, but the essential framework for long-term client results? As recovery tools and technologies continue to flood the marketplace, exercise professionals must be able to think outside the box on how they can incorporate holistic recovery into their fitness…
What does current research really tell us about recovery—and how can we apply it effectively across different training goals? From cold exposure and compression to sleep and saunas, this session explores the physiological mechanisms that drive adaptation and performance across populations.…
Tactical athletes including military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and other public safety professionals have unique physical demands and training requirements. This session provides an overview of the science behind their performance needs and explores how fitness professionals can…
How can exercise professionals move from the gym floor to the frontlines of healthcare and public health policy? Any why does this matter? Exercise professionals are uniquely positioned to drive change at the intersection of health, fitness, and policy. This session explores how our field can…
How do you coach with confidence whether it’s one client, a small group, or a full class? This session explores the science and strategy behind effective group training and how these skills enhance both personal training and group exercise instruction. Participants will learn what makes small…
Exercise professionals can play a powerful role in advancing community health—but meaningful engagement requires more than hosting classes. This session explores strategies for building trusting, collaborative relationships within local communities to promote physical activity, improve public…
If women only see ‘strong’ bodies lifting weights, how can they imagine their own strength taking shape - are we missing the mark? Despite strong evidence highlighting the health and performance benefits of resistance training, participation rates among women remain low. This session explores…
Many patients successfully complete cardiac rehab, yet a gap often exists when transitioning into community or fitness settings, limiting long-term engagement and health benefits. This session examines the barriers in this referral pipeline and explores strategies for exercise professionals to…
Why does sustained behavior change remain one of the most persistent challenges in fitness and health coaching? This session takes behavior change theory off the page and into the gym, studio, and coaching session. While brief reminders of foundational theories will be covered, this session’s…
Are you leveraging the skills that actually drive career advancement in the exercise profession- or unknowingly holding yourself back? In a profession where many practitioners share similar educational preparation, exceptional career success is rarely achieved through technical knowledge alone.…
What do you do in the gap between what the behavioral theory predicts and what your clients actually do? What would coaching look like if you stopped prescribing and started responding? Fitness professionals often learn behavior change and motivational strategies through models, categories, and…
What if the secret to lasting client change isn’t motivation at all? Despite its name, Motivational Interviewing (MI) isn’t about giving pep talks—it’s about guiding meaningful conversations that uncover barriers, reduce fear, and foster self-directed change. This session takes a deeper dive…
Obesity care is evolving rapidly; are exercise professionals ready? This session explores the modern science of obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by metabolic and adipose tissue dysfunction, challenging long-held assumptions about willpower and weight control. Participants…
Learn about population health, medical fitness and opportunities to get involved and become a leader in the industry.
Approximately twice as many people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are insufficiently active compared those without. Inclusive fitness professionals are the leaders needed to reverse this trend. Learn from Special Olympics International about no-cost strategies to form community partnerships…
Cognitive impairment affects people of all ages, from children with Down syndrome to older adults with dementia, and maximizing engagement with exercise can be challenging due to difficulties with comprehension and attention. Our team, with over 75 years of experience working with people with…
This session will provide an overview of metabolic syndrome, discuss updated blood pressure guidelines and explain how resistance training can uniquely help prevent or manage metabolic syndrome. Most importantly, the session will give scientifically supported resistance training programming…
People want to know if exercising in the morning versus the evening is better for metabolic health and weight loss. It is important to recognize that the body’s response to exercise is different depending on the time of day. The purpose of this talk is to provide a brief scientific overview of…
