NASM Personal Training Certification
Exam Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What does flexibility training primarily aim to improve?
✔✔The ability of muscles to lengthen through a full range of motion.
Which assessment is best for identifying postural deviations while standing?
✔✔Static posture assessment.
What type of balance involves maintaining stability while moving?
✔✔Dynamic balance.
Why are compound exercises emphasized in training programs?
✔✔They recruit multiple muscle groups and improve functional strength.
What does hypertrophy training primarily target?
✔✔An increase in muscle fiber size.
What role do stabilizer muscles play?
✔✔They support joints and maintain proper alignment during movement.
Which muscle is the prime mover during a push-up?
1
,✔✔Pectoralis major.
What is the primary role of the NASM Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model?
✔✔To systematically progress clients through stabilization, strength, and power phases to
improve overall performance and reduce injury risk.
Which muscle fiber type is most active during low-intensity, long-duration exercise?
✔✔Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fibers.
Why is proper breathing emphasized during resistance training?
✔✔It helps stabilize the core, regulate intra-abdominal pressure, and prevent excessive blood
pressure spikes.
What joint action occurs at the shoulder during the upward phase of a lateral raise?
✔✔Shoulder abduction.
What is the main purpose of a stabilization endurance phase workout?
✔✔To improve neuromuscular control, joint stability, and muscular endurance.
Why are rest periods shorter during muscular endurance training?
✔✔To increase fatigue resistance and enhance aerobic efficiency of muscles.
2
,What does overactive muscle mean in NASM terminology?
✔✔A muscle that is chronically tight and dominant due to altered movement patterns.
What assessment helps identify asymmetrical weight shift during squatting?
✔✔Overhead squat assessment.
Which plane of motion divides the body into left and right halves?
✔✔Sagittal plane.
What is the primary benefit of foam rolling?
✔✔To reduce muscle tension and improve tissue extensibility.
What type of contraction occurs when lowering a dumbbell slowly?
✔✔Eccentric muscle contraction.
Why is core training essential in personal training programs?
✔✔The core stabilizes the spine and transfers force between the upper and lower body.
Which energy system is dominant during a 10-second maximal sprint?
✔✔ATP-PC energy system.
What does proprioception refer to?
3
, ✔✔The body’s ability to sense joint position and movement.
What is the main goal of the strength phase in the OPT model?
✔✔To increase muscle strength through higher loads and controlled movement.
Why should beginners start with bodyweight exercises?
✔✔They allow skill development and joint control before adding external resistance.
What does muscular imbalance often result in?
✔✔Altered movement patterns and increased injury risk.
Which joint is classified as a hinge joint?
✔✔The knee joint.
What is the primary purpose of dynamic stretching?
✔✔To prepare muscles and joints for movement through active ranges of motion.
What does a neutral spine position mean?
✔✔The spine maintains its natural curves without excessive flexion or extension.
Why is progressive overload important?
✔✔It stimulates continuous adaptations in strength and performance.
4
Exam Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What does flexibility training primarily aim to improve?
✔✔The ability of muscles to lengthen through a full range of motion.
Which assessment is best for identifying postural deviations while standing?
✔✔Static posture assessment.
What type of balance involves maintaining stability while moving?
✔✔Dynamic balance.
Why are compound exercises emphasized in training programs?
✔✔They recruit multiple muscle groups and improve functional strength.
What does hypertrophy training primarily target?
✔✔An increase in muscle fiber size.
What role do stabilizer muscles play?
✔✔They support joints and maintain proper alignment during movement.
Which muscle is the prime mover during a push-up?
1
,✔✔Pectoralis major.
What is the primary role of the NASM Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model?
✔✔To systematically progress clients through stabilization, strength, and power phases to
improve overall performance and reduce injury risk.
Which muscle fiber type is most active during low-intensity, long-duration exercise?
✔✔Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fibers.
Why is proper breathing emphasized during resistance training?
✔✔It helps stabilize the core, regulate intra-abdominal pressure, and prevent excessive blood
pressure spikes.
What joint action occurs at the shoulder during the upward phase of a lateral raise?
✔✔Shoulder abduction.
What is the main purpose of a stabilization endurance phase workout?
✔✔To improve neuromuscular control, joint stability, and muscular endurance.
Why are rest periods shorter during muscular endurance training?
✔✔To increase fatigue resistance and enhance aerobic efficiency of muscles.
2
,What does overactive muscle mean in NASM terminology?
✔✔A muscle that is chronically tight and dominant due to altered movement patterns.
What assessment helps identify asymmetrical weight shift during squatting?
✔✔Overhead squat assessment.
Which plane of motion divides the body into left and right halves?
✔✔Sagittal plane.
What is the primary benefit of foam rolling?
✔✔To reduce muscle tension and improve tissue extensibility.
What type of contraction occurs when lowering a dumbbell slowly?
✔✔Eccentric muscle contraction.
Why is core training essential in personal training programs?
✔✔The core stabilizes the spine and transfers force between the upper and lower body.
Which energy system is dominant during a 10-second maximal sprint?
✔✔ATP-PC energy system.
What does proprioception refer to?
3
, ✔✔The body’s ability to sense joint position and movement.
What is the main goal of the strength phase in the OPT model?
✔✔To increase muscle strength through higher loads and controlled movement.
Why should beginners start with bodyweight exercises?
✔✔They allow skill development and joint control before adding external resistance.
What does muscular imbalance often result in?
✔✔Altered movement patterns and increased injury risk.
Which joint is classified as a hinge joint?
✔✔The knee joint.
What is the primary purpose of dynamic stretching?
✔✔To prepare muscles and joints for movement through active ranges of motion.
What does a neutral spine position mean?
✔✔The spine maintains its natural curves without excessive flexion or extension.
Why is progressive overload important?
✔✔It stimulates continuous adaptations in strength and performance.
4
