2026 CanFitPro Personal Training Specialist (PTS) Certification Exam Study
Guide & Practice Questions 2026
This document is a comprehensive study resource for the CanFitPro Personal Training Specialist
(PTS) Certification Exam. It covers essential topics including anatomy and physiology, exercise
science, biomechanics, fitness assessment, program design, nutrition fundamentals, client
screening, training principles, and professional practice standards. The guide also includes
practice questions, exam preparation strategies, and key concepts to help candidates strengthen
their knowledge and improve their confidence before the certification exam.
specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time sensitive - CORRECT ANSWER the
acronym SMART represents...
QUESTION : precontemplation stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in
which people are unwilling to change their behavior
QUESTION : contemplation stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which
a person has considered changing their behaviour and have identified a course of
action
QUESTION : preparation stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which a
person is ready to take action
QUESTION : action stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which people
are actively changing a negative behavior or adopting a new, healthy behavior
QUESTION : maintenance stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which a
person has successfully adhered to an exercise program for a sustained period
QUESTION : exercise adherence - CORRECT ANSWER the act, or actions, of
consistently participating in the assigned physical training activities
QUESTION : stages of change model - CORRECT ANSWER a model which
describes behaviour change as a constantly changing process that follows specific
steps
QUESTION : cardiorespiratory capacity - CORRECT ANSWER the ability of the
body to take in O2 (respiration), deliver it to the cells (circulation), and use it at the
cellular level to create energy for physical work
QUESTION : muscular capacity - CORRECT ANSWER The full spectrum of
muscular capability, including endurance, strength, and power
,QUESTION : flexibility - CORRECT ANSWER refers to absolute ROM, or relative
ROM, or a joint as a result of muscles that cross the joint
QUESTION : body composition - CORRECT ANSWER the proportion of fat-free
mass to fat mass in the human body
QUESTION : coordination - CORRECT ANSWER a secondary component of
fitness; it involves the ability to use multiple body parts to create smooth and fluid
movement patterns
QUESTION : agility - CORRECT ANSWER a secondary component of fitness; it
involves the ability to change direction effectively and efficiently
QUESTION : reaction time - CORRECT ANSWER the time required for a person to
respond to a specific stimulus
QUESTION : speed - CORRECT ANSWER the rate of change in position of a
person
QUESTION : power - CORRECT ANSWER the product of speed and strength
expressed by the muscular or cardiorespiratory systems
QUESTION : mental capability - CORRECT ANSWER a person's ability to
concentrate during exercise to improve training effects
QUESTION : individualization - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that
suggests that program designs must be made to accommodate every client's individual
needs
QUESTION : frequency, intensity, time, type - CORRECT ANSWER the acronym
FITT represents...
QUESTION : specificity - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that suggests
that if clients want to improve an aspect of their performance, they have to train that
aspect deliberately
QUESTION : progressive overload - CORRECT ANSWER suggests that to improve,
clients must continually challenge their fitness. this occurs through gradually increasing
the volume or intensity of the program to realize ongoing adaptations.
QUESTION : recovery - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that suggests
that a post-workout recovery period must allow the client to return to the next workout at
least as fit as the previous one, if not more
QUESTION : structural tolerance - CORRECT ANSWER the principle of physical
fitness that suggests that the strengthening of tissues in and around joints will result in
,the ability to sustain subsequently greater stresses in training with greater resistance to
injury
QUESTION : all-around development - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle
that suggests that people who are well developed through all components of fitness are
less prone to injury, and more likely to have performance increases in sport and in life
QUESTION : reversibility - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that suggests
that after training ceases, the body gradually returns to its pre-training state
QUESTION : cardiorespiratory capacity, muscular capacity, flexibility and body
composition - CORRECT ANSWER the 4 primary components of fitness are...
QUESTION : balance, coordination, agility, reaction time, speed, power and mental
capability - CORRECT ANSWER the 7 secondary components of fitness include...
QUESTION : bioenergetics - CORRECT ANSWER the scientific study of how
energy is created and used in the human body
QUESTION : energy - CORRECT ANSWER the ability to do physical work
QUESTION : metabolism - CORRECT ANSWER the sum of all chemical reactions
in the body that either use or create energy
QUESTION : homeostasis - CORRECT ANSWER a state of balance and stability
within the human body. the body's ability to maintain an overall balance of metabolic
processes to adapt to the changing environment.
QUESTION : adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - CORRECT ANSWER the energy
currency of the body. a chemical compound made up of adenosine and three phosphate
molecules.
QUESTION : creatine phosphate - CORRECT ANSWER a high-energy chemical
compound stored in the muscle cell. with the aid of an enzyme called kinase, CP splits
to create ATP and provide energy.
QUESTION : lactate threshold - CORRECT ANSWER the point at which the lactic
acid begins to accumulate in the blood.
QUESTION : anaerobic glycolysis - CORRECT ANSWER the breakdown of
glycogen or glucose to form 2 or 3 ATP molecules
QUESTION : aerobic system - CORRECT ANSWER an energy system which
allows ATP to be formed in the presence of oxygen
, QUESTION : work-to-rest ratio - CORRECT ANSWER the systematic organization
of the time spent between exercise performance and rest during physical activity.
QUESTION : energy continuum - CORRECT ANSWER a bioenergetics concept that
suggests that the energy systems in the human body do not function on their own and
are constantly working in conjunction with one another.
QUESTION : oxygen deficit/debt - CORRECT ANSWER the cellular situation in
which the body does not have the required amount of oxygen to maintain homeostasis
and meet the needs of the increased level of activity.
QUESTION : excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) - CORRECT
ANSWER the process by which the body continues to take in extra oxygen post-
exercise, to recover the cell and repay the oxygen deficit that occurred while active.
QUESTION : the ATP-CP (phosphagen) system produces ________ ATP per
molecule of creatine phosphate - CORRECT ANSWER 1 ATP
QUESTION : what type of relief makes up the rest interval for developing the
anaerobic glycolytic system? - CORRECT ANSWER rest relief
QUESTION : the aerobic (oxidative) energy system is fueled by ___________ and
produced up to __________ ATP per unit of fuel - CORRECT ANSWER glucose and
fat; 100 or more
QUESTION : pulmonary circulation - CORRECT ANSWER the movement of
deoxygenated blood from the body into the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart
QUESTION : systemic circulation - CORRECT ANSWER the movement of
oxygenated blood from the left atrium and left ventricle to the body tissues
QUESTION : atria - CORRECT ANSWER The two upper chambers of the human
heart. The left atrium and the right atrium receive blood returning to the heart through
the veins.
QUESTION : ventricle - CORRECT ANSWER The two lower chambers of the
human heart, composed of the left ventricle and the right ventricle. The ventricles expel
blood to the lungs and the body.
QUESTION : blood pressure (BP) - CORRECT ANSWER The measure of the force
of blood exerted on the walls of the veins and arteries by the heart.
QUESTION : cardiac output (Q) - CORRECT ANSWER The amount of blood that
the heart ejects in one minute; the product of heart rate and stroke volume, represented
mathematically as Q = SV \x\ HR.
Guide & Practice Questions 2026
This document is a comprehensive study resource for the CanFitPro Personal Training Specialist
(PTS) Certification Exam. It covers essential topics including anatomy and physiology, exercise
science, biomechanics, fitness assessment, program design, nutrition fundamentals, client
screening, training principles, and professional practice standards. The guide also includes
practice questions, exam preparation strategies, and key concepts to help candidates strengthen
their knowledge and improve their confidence before the certification exam.
specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time sensitive - CORRECT ANSWER the
acronym SMART represents...
QUESTION : precontemplation stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in
which people are unwilling to change their behavior
QUESTION : contemplation stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which
a person has considered changing their behaviour and have identified a course of
action
QUESTION : preparation stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which a
person is ready to take action
QUESTION : action stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which people
are actively changing a negative behavior or adopting a new, healthy behavior
QUESTION : maintenance stage - CORRECT ANSWER stage of change in which a
person has successfully adhered to an exercise program for a sustained period
QUESTION : exercise adherence - CORRECT ANSWER the act, or actions, of
consistently participating in the assigned physical training activities
QUESTION : stages of change model - CORRECT ANSWER a model which
describes behaviour change as a constantly changing process that follows specific
steps
QUESTION : cardiorespiratory capacity - CORRECT ANSWER the ability of the
body to take in O2 (respiration), deliver it to the cells (circulation), and use it at the
cellular level to create energy for physical work
QUESTION : muscular capacity - CORRECT ANSWER The full spectrum of
muscular capability, including endurance, strength, and power
,QUESTION : flexibility - CORRECT ANSWER refers to absolute ROM, or relative
ROM, or a joint as a result of muscles that cross the joint
QUESTION : body composition - CORRECT ANSWER the proportion of fat-free
mass to fat mass in the human body
QUESTION : coordination - CORRECT ANSWER a secondary component of
fitness; it involves the ability to use multiple body parts to create smooth and fluid
movement patterns
QUESTION : agility - CORRECT ANSWER a secondary component of fitness; it
involves the ability to change direction effectively and efficiently
QUESTION : reaction time - CORRECT ANSWER the time required for a person to
respond to a specific stimulus
QUESTION : speed - CORRECT ANSWER the rate of change in position of a
person
QUESTION : power - CORRECT ANSWER the product of speed and strength
expressed by the muscular or cardiorespiratory systems
QUESTION : mental capability - CORRECT ANSWER a person's ability to
concentrate during exercise to improve training effects
QUESTION : individualization - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that
suggests that program designs must be made to accommodate every client's individual
needs
QUESTION : frequency, intensity, time, type - CORRECT ANSWER the acronym
FITT represents...
QUESTION : specificity - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that suggests
that if clients want to improve an aspect of their performance, they have to train that
aspect deliberately
QUESTION : progressive overload - CORRECT ANSWER suggests that to improve,
clients must continually challenge their fitness. this occurs through gradually increasing
the volume or intensity of the program to realize ongoing adaptations.
QUESTION : recovery - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that suggests
that a post-workout recovery period must allow the client to return to the next workout at
least as fit as the previous one, if not more
QUESTION : structural tolerance - CORRECT ANSWER the principle of physical
fitness that suggests that the strengthening of tissues in and around joints will result in
,the ability to sustain subsequently greater stresses in training with greater resistance to
injury
QUESTION : all-around development - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle
that suggests that people who are well developed through all components of fitness are
less prone to injury, and more likely to have performance increases in sport and in life
QUESTION : reversibility - CORRECT ANSWER the training principle that suggests
that after training ceases, the body gradually returns to its pre-training state
QUESTION : cardiorespiratory capacity, muscular capacity, flexibility and body
composition - CORRECT ANSWER the 4 primary components of fitness are...
QUESTION : balance, coordination, agility, reaction time, speed, power and mental
capability - CORRECT ANSWER the 7 secondary components of fitness include...
QUESTION : bioenergetics - CORRECT ANSWER the scientific study of how
energy is created and used in the human body
QUESTION : energy - CORRECT ANSWER the ability to do physical work
QUESTION : metabolism - CORRECT ANSWER the sum of all chemical reactions
in the body that either use or create energy
QUESTION : homeostasis - CORRECT ANSWER a state of balance and stability
within the human body. the body's ability to maintain an overall balance of metabolic
processes to adapt to the changing environment.
QUESTION : adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - CORRECT ANSWER the energy
currency of the body. a chemical compound made up of adenosine and three phosphate
molecules.
QUESTION : creatine phosphate - CORRECT ANSWER a high-energy chemical
compound stored in the muscle cell. with the aid of an enzyme called kinase, CP splits
to create ATP and provide energy.
QUESTION : lactate threshold - CORRECT ANSWER the point at which the lactic
acid begins to accumulate in the blood.
QUESTION : anaerobic glycolysis - CORRECT ANSWER the breakdown of
glycogen or glucose to form 2 or 3 ATP molecules
QUESTION : aerobic system - CORRECT ANSWER an energy system which
allows ATP to be formed in the presence of oxygen
, QUESTION : work-to-rest ratio - CORRECT ANSWER the systematic organization
of the time spent between exercise performance and rest during physical activity.
QUESTION : energy continuum - CORRECT ANSWER a bioenergetics concept that
suggests that the energy systems in the human body do not function on their own and
are constantly working in conjunction with one another.
QUESTION : oxygen deficit/debt - CORRECT ANSWER the cellular situation in
which the body does not have the required amount of oxygen to maintain homeostasis
and meet the needs of the increased level of activity.
QUESTION : excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) - CORRECT
ANSWER the process by which the body continues to take in extra oxygen post-
exercise, to recover the cell and repay the oxygen deficit that occurred while active.
QUESTION : the ATP-CP (phosphagen) system produces ________ ATP per
molecule of creatine phosphate - CORRECT ANSWER 1 ATP
QUESTION : what type of relief makes up the rest interval for developing the
anaerobic glycolytic system? - CORRECT ANSWER rest relief
QUESTION : the aerobic (oxidative) energy system is fueled by ___________ and
produced up to __________ ATP per unit of fuel - CORRECT ANSWER glucose and
fat; 100 or more
QUESTION : pulmonary circulation - CORRECT ANSWER the movement of
deoxygenated blood from the body into the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart
QUESTION : systemic circulation - CORRECT ANSWER the movement of
oxygenated blood from the left atrium and left ventricle to the body tissues
QUESTION : atria - CORRECT ANSWER The two upper chambers of the human
heart. The left atrium and the right atrium receive blood returning to the heart through
the veins.
QUESTION : ventricle - CORRECT ANSWER The two lower chambers of the
human heart, composed of the left ventricle and the right ventricle. The ventricles expel
blood to the lungs and the body.
QUESTION : blood pressure (BP) - CORRECT ANSWER The measure of the force
of blood exerted on the walls of the veins and arteries by the heart.
QUESTION : cardiac output (Q) - CORRECT ANSWER The amount of blood that
the heart ejects in one minute; the product of heart rate and stroke volume, represented
mathematically as Q = SV \x\ HR.
