1|Page
NASM CPT EXAM AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS LATEST 2025-
2026 VERSION ALREADY A GRADED | NEW AND
REVISED
What is involved in the preparatory step for a multiplanar step-up,
balance, curl to overhead press exercise? - ANSWER- Stand in front of a
box with feet shoulder-width apart.
A resistance training system that is a variation of circuit training and that
alternates upper body and lower body exercises throughout the circuit is
called? - ANSWER- Peripheral heart action
Which of the following is muscle that acts as the initial and main source
of motive power? - ANSWER- prime mover
Which of the following terms refers to the division of a training program
into smaller, progressive stages? - ANSWER- periodization
What is a multiplanar step-up to balance an example of? - ANSWER-
Leg-stabilization exercise
What is the best example of performing an exercise in a proprioceptively
enriched environment? - ANSWER- Dumbbell chest press on stability
ball
,2|Page
A client performs a ball squat, curl to overhead press followed by a
push-up, a standing cable row, a single-leg scaption, and a single-leg
squat in a circuit fashion. This is an example of which of the following
resistance training systems? - ANSWER- vertical loading
For which of the following populations would hypertrophy training be
most beneficial? - ANSWER- body builders
Resistance should be positioned to resist scapular depression and
retraction during which of the following exercises? - ANSWER-
Standing cable row
hich of the following should be retracted and depressed during the mid
phase of a standing cable row? - ANSWER- scapulae
A client is performing a standing cable row with her shoulders elevated.
What cue should be used to correct her form? - ANSWER- Depress the
shoulder blades to activate the scapular retractors.
Which of the following is a resistance training method that involves
performing a set with light load followed by increasing the load and
decreasing the repetitions with each continuing set? - ANSWER-
pyramid system
What exercise is considered a total-body Strength Level exercise? -
ANSWER- Squat, curl, to two-arm press
,3|Page
A woman is training to improve her running capabilities for an
upcoming marathon. She is progressively increasing the distance and
time of her runs. Which principle best explains physiological adaptions
occuring to the woman's aerobic energy system? - ANSWER-
What refers to the weight and movements placed on the body? -
ANSWER- mechanical specificity
A client exhibits knee instability while performing ball squats. Which of
the following should a fitness professional suggest to the client to reduce
the discomfort? - ANSWER- Decrease the range of motion involved in
the exercise.
Which of the following governs how the body responds and adjusts to
stress? - ANSWER- general adaptation syndrome
When performed at an appropriate tempo, which of the following
exercises would offer the best improvement of the power of a client's
pectoralis major? - ANSWER- Medicine ball rotation chest pass
A personal trainer is working with a client in Phase 5 of the OPT model.
Which of the following exercises is appropriate? - ANSWER- soccer
throw
Which term best describes the enlargement of skeletal muscle fibers in
response to overcoming force from high volumes of tension? -
ANSWER- muscular hypertrophy
, 4|Page
Which of the following is a true statement about circuit training? -
ANSWER- It involves a series of exercises that can be performed one
after another.
What is involved in the preparatory step for a multiplanar step-up,
balance, curl to overhead press exercise? - ANSWER- Stand in front of a
box with feet shoulder-width apart.
Which term refers to the ability of muscles to exert maximal power in a
minimal amount of time? - ANSWER- Rate of force production
Which of the following can be caused by low-back injuries? -
ANSWER- Decreased neural control to stabilizing muscles of the core
Which of the following assessments would be most important for a new
client who recently recovered from a shoulder injury? - ANSWER-
Pushing/pulling assessments
During a pushing and pulling assessment, the personal trainer notices
that a client demonstrates shoulder elevation. Which of the following
muscles are most likely overactive? - ANSWER- levator scapulae
Which of the following assessments is used to gauge lower-extremity
agility and neuromuscular control? - ANSWER- shark skill test
NASM CPT EXAM AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS LATEST 2025-
2026 VERSION ALREADY A GRADED | NEW AND
REVISED
What is involved in the preparatory step for a multiplanar step-up,
balance, curl to overhead press exercise? - ANSWER- Stand in front of a
box with feet shoulder-width apart.
A resistance training system that is a variation of circuit training and that
alternates upper body and lower body exercises throughout the circuit is
called? - ANSWER- Peripheral heart action
Which of the following is muscle that acts as the initial and main source
of motive power? - ANSWER- prime mover
Which of the following terms refers to the division of a training program
into smaller, progressive stages? - ANSWER- periodization
What is a multiplanar step-up to balance an example of? - ANSWER-
Leg-stabilization exercise
What is the best example of performing an exercise in a proprioceptively
enriched environment? - ANSWER- Dumbbell chest press on stability
ball
,2|Page
A client performs a ball squat, curl to overhead press followed by a
push-up, a standing cable row, a single-leg scaption, and a single-leg
squat in a circuit fashion. This is an example of which of the following
resistance training systems? - ANSWER- vertical loading
For which of the following populations would hypertrophy training be
most beneficial? - ANSWER- body builders
Resistance should be positioned to resist scapular depression and
retraction during which of the following exercises? - ANSWER-
Standing cable row
hich of the following should be retracted and depressed during the mid
phase of a standing cable row? - ANSWER- scapulae
A client is performing a standing cable row with her shoulders elevated.
What cue should be used to correct her form? - ANSWER- Depress the
shoulder blades to activate the scapular retractors.
Which of the following is a resistance training method that involves
performing a set with light load followed by increasing the load and
decreasing the repetitions with each continuing set? - ANSWER-
pyramid system
What exercise is considered a total-body Strength Level exercise? -
ANSWER- Squat, curl, to two-arm press
,3|Page
A woman is training to improve her running capabilities for an
upcoming marathon. She is progressively increasing the distance and
time of her runs. Which principle best explains physiological adaptions
occuring to the woman's aerobic energy system? - ANSWER-
What refers to the weight and movements placed on the body? -
ANSWER- mechanical specificity
A client exhibits knee instability while performing ball squats. Which of
the following should a fitness professional suggest to the client to reduce
the discomfort? - ANSWER- Decrease the range of motion involved in
the exercise.
Which of the following governs how the body responds and adjusts to
stress? - ANSWER- general adaptation syndrome
When performed at an appropriate tempo, which of the following
exercises would offer the best improvement of the power of a client's
pectoralis major? - ANSWER- Medicine ball rotation chest pass
A personal trainer is working with a client in Phase 5 of the OPT model.
Which of the following exercises is appropriate? - ANSWER- soccer
throw
Which term best describes the enlargement of skeletal muscle fibers in
response to overcoming force from high volumes of tension? -
ANSWER- muscular hypertrophy
, 4|Page
Which of the following is a true statement about circuit training? -
ANSWER- It involves a series of exercises that can be performed one
after another.
What is involved in the preparatory step for a multiplanar step-up,
balance, curl to overhead press exercise? - ANSWER- Stand in front of a
box with feet shoulder-width apart.
Which term refers to the ability of muscles to exert maximal power in a
minimal amount of time? - ANSWER- Rate of force production
Which of the following can be caused by low-back injuries? -
ANSWER- Decreased neural control to stabilizing muscles of the core
Which of the following assessments would be most important for a new
client who recently recovered from a shoulder injury? - ANSWER-
Pushing/pulling assessments
During a pushing and pulling assessment, the personal trainer notices
that a client demonstrates shoulder elevation. Which of the following
muscles are most likely overactive? - ANSWER- levator scapulae
Which of the following assessments is used to gauge lower-extremity
agility and neuromuscular control? - ANSWER- shark skill test
