National Academy of Sports Medicine

American fitness training provider

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)Founded| 1987; 38 years ago (1987)

|

Founder| Robert M. Goldman[1]
Type| For-profit
Focus| Certifications, continuing education, professional enablement [2]
Headquarters| Gilbert, AZ[3]

Area served

| Members in 100+ countries[4]
Method| Certifications, technical assistance, trainings and seminars

CEO

| Mehul Patel

Parent organization

| Ascend Learning
Website| nasm.org

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is an organization that provides certification, education, and career development opportunities for professionals in the fitness, wellness, and sports industries. Established in 1987, NASM has gained recognition for its evidence-based approach to fitness and wellness education and has developed a range of programs aimed at enhancing the skills of personal trainers, wellness coaches, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical therapists, and other health professionals. Its headquarters is located in Gilbert, Arizona.[5] NASM is a subsidiary of Ascend Learning.[6]

## History

[edit]

NASM was founded in 1987 by Robert M. Goldman with the goal of creating standardized educational programs for the personal fitness training industry.[7][8] In 1998, Neal Spruce relocated NASM to California and integrated it with Apex Fitness. Subsequently, in 2000, Dr. Micheal Clark became the CEO of NASM, introducing the Optimum Performance Training™ (OPT™) model. This model, which emphasizes a systematic approach to training with phases of stabilization, strength, and power, aims to reduce injury risk and has become integral to NASM's educational programs.

Over the years, NASM has expanded its certification offerings and has certified over 1.4 million individuals globally. In 2015, NASM acquired the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), further broadening its educational scope to include group fitness instruction.[9] NASM expanded its active overseas market and in 2016, Taiwan Creative Training Academy (CTA) became its agent and translated it into Traditional Chinese. In 2019, NASM acquired ClubConnect, an online platform providing education and training content, as well as business development and club management tools.

## Company timeline

[edit]

* 1987: NASM is founded by Dr. Robert Goldman.
* 1998: Neal Spruce relocates NASM to California and integrates with Apex Fitness.
* 2000: Dr. Michael A. Clark joins as CEO and introduces the OPT Model.
* 2005: NASM receives NCCA Accreditation.
* 2006: Launch of Corrective Exercise Specialist and Performance Enhancement Specialist certifications.
* 2009: NASM becomes part of the Ascend Learning family of companies.
* 2012: Introduction of the Fitness Nutrition Certification.
* 2015: Acquisition of AFAA and the first Optima Conference.
* 2019: Acquisition of ClubConnect and launch of the Certified Nutrition Coach.
* 2022: Launch of the Certified Wellness Coach.

## Certificates and products

[edit]

NASM offers a variety of certification programs for fitness and wellness professionals at different stages of their careers. These programs are based on an evidence-based approach and cover areas such as human movement science, biomechanics, and client-focused programming.

### Fitness and performance certifications

[edit]

* Certified Personal Trainer (CPT): NASM's flagship certification program, which covers client assessments, program design, human movement science, and basic nutrition.
* Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES): A certification for professionals working with athletes to improve performance using exercise science and sports psychology.
* Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES): A program for fitness professionals focusing on assessing and correcting movement imbalances to prevent injury.

### Nutrition and wellness certifications

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* Nutrition Certification: The Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) program educates fitness professionals on nutrition science and behavior change techniques.
* Wellness Certification: NASM's Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) program includes courses such as the Wellness Coaching Simulation and the Wellness Coaching Business Blueprint, designed to enhance coaching skills and business growth.
* Behavior Change Specialization (BCS): A certification program that concentrates on the psychological aspects of fitness and wellness, aiming to foster long-term behavioral changes in clients.

### Professional enablement tools

[edit]

NASM provides various products, resources, and tools to support fitness and wellness professionals throughout their careers. These include NASM One, a membership platform offering ongoing support and education, and the NASM Edge app, a digital coaching tool for client management and business operations.

## Continuing education and accreditation

[edit]

NASM emphasizes continuing education through advanced certifications and specialization courses. The organization is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), ensuring that its certification processes meet high standards of fairness, validity, and reliability.

NASM's educational programs are based on scientific research and industry best practices, with a focus on human movement science, biomechanics, and corrective exercise. The organization also utilizes digital tools to enhance the learning experience for its global community of professionals.

### NASM Podcast Network

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The NASM Podcast Network features a selection of podcasts hosted by industry professionals, providing education and insights into fitness, wellness, performance, and health.

## Global impact

[edit]

NASM has certified professionals in over 100 countries and is recognized by major gym chains, health clubs, and sports organizations worldwide.

### Industry leadership and advocacy

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NASM advocates for policy and legislative changes that promote physical activity and improve public health.[10] The organization participates in initiatives such as the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition and supports military families by providing career opportunities in fitness and wellness.[11]

Supporting military families

Since 2017, NASM has been recognized as a Military Friendly School,[12] offering discounts on courses and military funding options for certifications, which enable military families to pursue rewarding careers as fitness professionals.[13]

## Publications and research

[edit]

NASM publishes resources like the textbook "NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training"[14] and contributes to industry journals,[15] sharing research and its application in fitness training.

## Notable NASM certified professionals

[edit]

* Chris Powell

## See also

[edit]

* Personal trainer
* Wellness coach

## References

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1. ^ "Biography by Baron Magazine". Dr. Robert M. Goldman. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
2. ^ Newport, Joshua. "LibGuides: Health and Physical Education: Professional Groups and Organizations". barton.libguides.com.
3. ^ "National Academy of Sports Medicine Acquires Aerobics and Fitness Association of America". clubindustry.com. 6 August 2015.
4. ^ "Marketwire.com info about NASM having members in 80+ countries". marketwired.com.
5. ^ "Next Insurance Partners with National Academy of Sports Medicine and Athletics and Fitness Association of America to Offer Tailored Coverage for Personal Trainers". www.morningstar.com. 28 February 2018.
6. ^ "About Us". NASM Website.
7. ^ "National Academy of Sports Medicine President and CEO Dr. Micheal Clark Named to Business Journal of Phoenix Forty under 40 List". Personal Fitness Professional. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
8. ^ "Biography". Dr. Robert Goldman MD, PhD DO, FAASP. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
9. ^ Sandberg, Josh (2015-08-07). "National Academy of Sports Medicine Acquires Aerobics and Fitness Association of America". Ortho Spine News. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
10. ^ "Breaking Ground: Health & Fitness Association's Debut Fly-In and…". Health & Fitness Association. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
11. ^ NWSL (2023-06-01). "NFL Expands Smart Heart Sports Coalition to Include 26 Members, Continuing to Drive CPR and AED Advocacy | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
12. ^ "Marketwired.com article about NASM being military friendly". marketwired.com.
13. ^ USVM (2022-04-29). "NASM Supports Military Families with Career Opportunities | U.S. Veterans Magazine | A US Veterans News Resource". U.S. Veterans Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
14. ^ Bıyıklı, Türker (2018-10-29). "Comparison of Physical Parameters of the Individuals Who Have Received NASM-OPT Model & EMS Training in Combination With Traditional Fitness Training Applications Regularly as Personal Training (PT) for 20 Weeks". Journal of Education and Training Studies. 6 (12): 158. doi:10.11114/jets.v6i12.3673. ISSN 2324-8068.
15. ^ Maquirriain, Javier (2010). "Epidemiological analysis of doping offences in the professional tennis circuit". Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology. 5 (1): 30. doi:10.1186/1745-6673-5-30. ISSN 1745-6673. PMC 3012045.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website