National Academy of Sports Medicine
Understanding Fitness Programming
National Academy of Sports Medicine

Understanding Fitness Programming

Casey DeJong

Instructor: Casey DeJong

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

27 hours to complete
3 weeks at 9 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

27 hours to complete
3 weeks at 9 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic exercises and design personalized training programs using the FITTE-VP principle.

  • Integrate flexibility and strength training to improve dynamic range of motion and stabilize force production.

  • Apply stage training principles to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and prevent overtraining.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

26 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your Basic Science expertise

This course is part of the NASM Personal Fitness Trainer Professional Certificate
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate from National Academy of Sports Medicine
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There are 5 modules in this course

Cardiorespiratory fitness is arguably the most important component of physical fitness, is the best indicator of overall health, and is necessary to sustain the energy requirements of everyday life. Effective cardiorespiratory fitness levels help maintain recommended body weight. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

What's included

6 videos9 readings6 assignments2 plugins

Flexibility training addresses the growing postural imbalances caused by sedentary lifestyles, enhancing overall musculoskeletal health. Essential for fitness professionals, flexibility training reduces low back pain, joint pain, and overuse injuries. Flexibility, defined as the normal extensibility of all soft tissue allowing full joint range of motion, is optimized through dynamic range of motion, integrating flexibility and neuromuscular control. Effective flexibility training involves various techniques, such as self-myofascial release and static and dynamic stretching, each contributing to improved neuromuscular efficiency and overall physical function. Understanding the benefits and appropriate application of these techniques is crucial for designing comprehensive fitness programs. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

What's included

6 videos8 readings6 assignments3 plugins

Core training is a vital component of fitness that goes beyond strengthening the abdominals to enhance overall body function. It plays a critical role in improving posture, performance, and resistance to injury by engaging a variety of muscles in and around the trunk region. The core, which includes the pelvis, lower back, and associated muscles, is the body’s balance point and the origin of all movement. A well-structured core training program targets both the movement and stabilization systems, ensuring optimal joint function and dynamic stability. Understanding and implementing core training principles is essential for fitness professionals to help clients achieve better physical performance and prevent injuries. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

What's included

2 videos8 readings6 assignments5 plugins

Resistance training is a fundamental component of fitness programs, crucial for helping clients achieve their performance and health goals. Effective resistance training programs are built on key principles such as adaptation, specificity, and periodization, which ensure progressive overload and proper recovery to maximize benefits and prevent injuries. Understanding these principles enables fitness professionals to design customized, efficient resistance training programs that cater to individual needs and enhance overall physical performance. This comprehensive approach helps maintain high exercise adherence and reduces the risk of injury, ultimately leading to better fitness outcomes for clients. Upon completion of this week’s lessons, the aspiring fitness professional will be able to:

What's included

5 videos10 readings7 assignments3 plugins

The final quiz is designed to assess you understanding and mastery of the key concepts covered throughout the course. It will include questions from all the major topics discussed in Weeks 1 to 4, ensuring that you have a solid grasp of the principles and practices of exercise programming. The final peer-reviewed assignment assesses your practical skills in comparing aerobic and anaerobic exercises, designing personalized workout plans, and applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. This assignment will provide hands-on experience tailoring fitness programs to individual needs, a crucial skill for personal fitness trainers. By completing it, you will demonstrate your ability to differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic exercises, use the FITTE-VP principle, and implement stage training principles to design a comprehensive cardiorespiratory training program.

What's included

1 assignment1 peer review

Instructor

Casey DeJong
National Academy of Sports Medicine
5 Courses298 learners

Offered by

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