The NFPT Podcast

Simple Nutrition Question

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0300

In this episode, we do a sample question walk through on nutrition, specifically the role and calories of fat. Nutrition is a subtopic addressed on your CPT exam and knowing the right information to study will help prevent you with overwhelm on all things nutrition sciences.

VO2 Max Simplified

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0300

Although it's unlikely you'll be using equipment to accurately measure a client's VO2 Max, this concept is still important for test day. In this episode, Erin simplifies the definition of this term, how to think about it, and why it matters to clients.

Biometric Data Sample Question

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0300

Biometric data includes direct body measurements during a fitness assessment. In this episode we walk you through a sample question on biometric data, testing your knowledge around what you can expect to see happen to these measurements as a client starts a training program.

Excessive Forward Lean

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0300

When a client's torse migrates forward during a squat, beyond parallel to the lower leg, they have what's called an excessive forward lean. This movement impairment is common and also frequently answered incorrectly by students on test day. This episode gives a sample test question with a "select the best answer" approach to responding correctly with this topic.

Low Back Arch Sample Question

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

It's common for clients to have an arch in their lower back that worsens during an overhead squat assessment. More often than not, these clients may also complain of back pain. In this episode, Erin gives you a sample question walk through of what to do when the lower back arches during a squat. Then, she breaks down why this movement is ocurring in the first place and how other muscles can impact the same movement impairment.

Knees Cave in Question

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0400

When learning the overactive and underactive muscles in movement assessments, simple memorization isn't the way to go. Instead, get a better understanding of how to arrive at the correct solution by using what you already know. In this episode we walk you through a sample movement assessment question where a trainer sees the client's knees caving inward and how to correctly program the right exercises for this imbalance.

Testing Domain Strategy

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0400

You have four major testing domains to prepare for exam day. But, your strategy for how you learn the information on these domains varies. In this episode, Erin talks your through the challenges each domain has and what your goal and focus should be. For example, memorizing in program design is NOT the way to go! This section is all about application and your goal should be on contextual understanding rather than memorizing the details

Scope of Practice Question Walk Through

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Professional practice is an entire testing domain on your CPT exam. This means there will be more than one question on your test and this is important for you on day 1 as a personal trainer. Although scope of practice questions tend to be easier, you could still get tripped up. Listen in on Erin's sample question walk through for how to answer these questions correctly

Memory Tricks Part 3

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Back again by popular demand, The NFPT Podcast brings you another episode devoted to the memory tricks and tips you can use for CPT test day and when you're out there as a personal trainer. Remember, you won't be memorizing everything in your CPT studies. But a few small tricks will help you stay motivated as you progress through the course and accelerate your progress in becoming a successful certified personal trainer

Memory Tricks Part 2

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400

This is part 2 of our episode series to give you quick and easy memory tricks that will help you on CPT exam day and in your personal training career. Concepts in anatomy and physiology can seem overwhelming at first because you're up against new terms. But, the CPT tricks Erin walks you through will help you keep your study momentum be part of the NFPT CPT family faster than you think!

Memory Tricks Part 1

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400

You shouldn't have to memorize everything to pass your CPT, but you will have to do some memorization for new terms that seem foreign. In this episode Erin talks through how and when to use these memory tricks and then gives you three tricks you can use when taking your CPT exam. They're must-haves for CPT test day and will make studying to be a personal trainer easier immediately

How To Go Through Your CPT Course

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Going through a CPT course lives on a spectrum between traditional, linear learning and modern learning. In this episode we talk through how to go through your CPT study materials and course in a way that increases your chances for test day. Learn how to avoid wasting time and frustration while keeping your learning motivation high.

SAID Principle Questions Part 2

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0400

CPT test questions on the specificity principle (aka SAID principe) can show up in different ways. In this episode, part 2 of 2, we walk you through two sample test questions, including the answer options. Then, we show you where you could get tripped up on exam day and how to confidently answer these program design questions with less hesitation.

SAID Principle Questions Part 1

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0400

CPT test questions on the specificity principle (aka SAID principe) can show up in different ways. In this episode, part 1 of 2, we walk you through two sample test questions, including the answer options. Then, we show you where you could get tripped up on exam day and how to confidently answer these program design questions with less hesitation.

Principle of Specificity

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:48:22 -0400

The program design principle of specificity is straightforward--train for the results you want. But knowing the different types of specificity and how to accurately target mechanical, neuromuscular, and metabolic specificity is where some CPT students get stuck. This episode walks you through the SAID principle and how these questions show up on exam day.

Pulling Movement Patterns

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:31:24 -0400

If you want to nail questions on human anatomy, fitness assessments, and program design, then knowledge of movement patterns is critical. In this episode, Erin fouses on pulling movement patterns like a seated or bent over row and lat pull. You'll learn the muscle synergies and how to spot overactive and underactive muscles during pull movement assessments.

Symptoms of Overtraining

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Being able to recognize signs and symptoms of overtraining is part of injury prevention and reflected on your CPT exam. Additionally, this is valuable information for a practicing personal trainer to make sure they're able to differentiate between overtraining or lack of compliance.

Squat Movement Patterns

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:51:35 -0400

The movement pattern of a squat is critical for your success on a CPT exam. Nailing this information helps you with human anatomy, fitness assessments, exercise technique, and program design. In this episode we break down the roles different muscles play in a squat motion to make answering these types of questions on your exam a breeze.

Pushing Movement Patterns

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Knowing movement patterns unlocks so many questions on your CPT exam. It's part of NFPT's Core 4 learning model and in this episdoe we dive into the push movement patterns. You'll get the critical details including joint motions, muscle synergies, common movement impairments, and how vary a simple push exercise to answer test questions correctly and keep your clients seeing results.

Program Design Sample Question Walk Through

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:15:47 -0400

Program design is a big part of your CPT exam, but you likely already intuitively know most of the answers. In this episode, Erin walks you through a sample program design question and answer options. You'll see how to rule out the incorrect answers, leaving you with the only correct answer.

Identifying Overactive & Underactive Muscles

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Identifying overactive and underactive muscles during movement assessments can be difficult for CPT students and even trainers working with clients. In this episode, we give you practical tips so you can avoid rote memorization and focus on improving muscle imbalances.

Beginner Assessment Question

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0300

In this sample assessment question episode, NFPT talks through how to select the "best" answer on a CPT exam when it seems as though there could be more than one correct answer. Assessments are critical to a new personal trainer and therefore you'll see plenty of these types of questions on your personal trainer test.

Simple Muscle Fiber Question

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0300

NFPT breaksdown a sample test question in this epsidoe on muscle fiber types. Erin gives you the question and reads from a list of answer options, helping you methodically rule out the incorrect answers leaving you with only one viable correct answer.

NFPT Learning Model

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0300

In this episode, NFPT highlights their learning model and how it helps them achieve the highest pass rates in the industry. Erin explains the critical CPT content anchors that sheds light on the difference between memorizing information to pass versus having contextual understanding that gives you greater confidence in taking your personal trainer exam and working with clients.

How to Choose the Right CPT

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:07:41 -0300

Choosing the right certified personal trainer program is what kickstarts your entire career. It's a big decision and in this episode NFPT talks through what matters most and how to choose a certification company that's reputable and will get your CPT future off on the right foot.

What's on a CPT Exam?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:08:20 -0300

In this episode, NFPT walks you through the major topics that are covered on the exam and what percent of questions on the exam come from each topic. Then we explain other CPT test details like how long you have, what types of questions to expect, and prep strategies.