The National Academy of Sports Medicine, known as NASM, has launched its Performance Enhancement Specialization (PES) course. This new certification is for trainers who want to improve their coaching skills and become better leaders in the world of fitness.
The PES is an online, principle-based program that’s been updated with the latest research and best practices in exercise science and sports psychology. The overall goal of the program is to prepare fitness professionals with innovative performance strategies for athletes of all levels.
While NASM recommends participants have a previous NASM certification, the course is open to all trainers. Below is a list of the top five reasons for taking the PES course and choosing NASM.
You’ll Get Advanced Science-Backed Training Methods
PES offers advanced principles and concepts across several areas of fitness, including strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, injury resistance, and training program design. The basis of the course focuses on the connection between human movement, anatomy, and physiology to improve performance.
The course outlines the integration of performance training and physiological adaptations to sports performance training, such as figuring out and analyzing the proper conditioning and resistance training program for a given athlete.
With NASM's Performance Enhancement Specialization Program, you can learn the most effective methods for training athletes at all levels, from recreational to elite and everywhere in between.
You’ll Learn Personalized Training Plans
Athletes come to a trainer or a coach for several different reasons, and coaches need to be prepared to answer all of their questions. PES offers tailored programming plans to meet the needs of each individual athlete. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to training; however, PES provides a clear guideline to help coaches help their athletes reach specific goals.
In Section 5 of the course, the trainer goes through an extensive section on program design and models to follow. For example, the course goes over programming for injury resistance or for athletes returning to fitness after a prolonged injury. Students will learn proper strategies for each, allowing them to better understand athletes with specific needs.
You’ll Gain a Deep Network and Community
NASM has trained over 1.5 million fitness professionals around the world. By taking the PES, a coach or trainer becomes part of that growing network of fitness professionals and would join others who are dedicating their lives to fitness and excellence.
Once you’re involved in the program, you’ll find yourself around others looking to hone their craft and make continuous improvements without judgment. While the course is done individually, NASM has developed partnerships with 12,000 gyms and health clubs, which means they can help those coaches and trainers with NASM certifications make connections down the road. This could potentially open doors to new career opportunities.
It Takes a Holistic Approach to Training
Being a good trainer isn’t just about great programming or being a cheerleader. It’s also about emotional and mental wellness. The PES course takes into account techniques for managing athlete anxiety and boosting their confidence in and outside of the gym. The course helps trainers become effective communicators and learn how to connect with athletes personally and through exercise.
Several parts of the course go over the impact of emotions on athletic performance and give trainers tools to manage clients who are going through a difficult time. Resilience is key for athletes of all levels and being a trainer that understands how to tap into that part of an athlete is key to success.
It’s Affordable and Self-Paced
The PES program consists of six sections and is done completely online at a self-guided pace. Once you complete all the study material, you then proceed to take an online exam to achieve the PES. There is no pressure to rush through training material, and you can go back to review as much as needed. The test is an open-book format, and you are given three attempts to achieve a score of 70 percent or better to pass.
The course is low-stress but with high rewards. Trainers seeking new clients and leveling up their skills should consider taking the PES to better their overall knowledge of performance training techniques today. The program costs under $70 per month and can be paid for in installments.
With NASM's Performance Enhancement Specialization Program, you can learn the most effective methods for training athletes at all levels, from recreational to elite and everywhere in between.
The Bottom Line
The PES is a new and updated course for any trainer who wants to stand out in the health and fitness fields. While there are many more reasons to take NASM’s PES course, these five broadly represent the kind of returns on investment a trainer can expect from following the program.
Knowledge, education, and experience create the best trainers and increase their value beyond measure. Trainers can gain confidence and improve coaching abilities, along with learning new methods for injury resistance and helping athletes reach peak performance.
Head here to learn more.
