NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training » (1st Edition)

Roger W. Earle, MA, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, earned his master's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in exercise science. In 2008, he became the Professional Education division director at Human Kinetics. Previously, Earle was the associate executive director for National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certification, where he was responsible for developing the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) certification exams. He also previously served as the head strength and conditioning coach and a faculty member of the exercise science and athletic training department at Creighton University in Omaha.

Earle has over 25 years of experience as a personal fitness trainer for people of all age and fitness levels, and he frequently gives lectures at national and international conferences about designing personalized exercise and training programs. He coauthored the first and second editions of Fitness Weight Training and coedited both the NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training and the second and third editions of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning.

Thomas R. Baechle, EdD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, is chair of the exercise science and athletic training department at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. In his career covering more than 35 years as a fitness professional and academician, Baechle has earned numerous certifications and awards, taught at various universities, held a variety of professional and civic offices, and volunteered for many national and international associations and organizations related to fitness and personal health.

Baechle is widely published and lectures frequently. His recent honors include receiving the Outstanding Writing Achievement Award from Human Kinetics in 2007, Merit for Excellence in Education and Development of Professional Standards from the International Fitness Institute in 2006, the Distinguished Faculty Service Award from Creighton University in 2002, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NSCA in 1998.

Baechle makes his home with his wife, Susan, in Omaha.

NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training is the ideal authoritative resource for personal trainers, health and fitness instructors, exercise scientists, and other fitness professionals, as well as the primary preparation source for the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer examination.

Edited by Roger W. Earle and Thomas R. Baechle, editors of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, Second Edition, the book includes more than 250 photographs and contributions from leading personal training experts who provide the scientific principles, concepts, and theories of personal training as well as practical applications for health and fitness.

Experts in anatomy, exercise physiology, and biomechanics and other exercise scientists work with respected personal trainers, physical therapists, and sport psychologists to provide in-depth coverage of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of personal trainers. Special coverage is given to exercise technique, including teaching approaches involving free-weight and machine exercises, cardiovascular activities, flexibility, and speed training. A special feature of this text is the manner in which the program designs are offered for the typically healthy client as well as for those clients presenting unique challenges to the personal trainer.

NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training supplies comprehensive information on proper stretching, resistance training, aerobic endurance training, and plyometrics techniques. Additionally, the text covers critical information about the business aspects of personal training, including facility and equipment maintenance and legal issues that many trainers face.

The following are some of the text's features:
* More than 250 full-color photographs that clearly illustrate and accurately explain proper stretching, resistance training, aerobic endurance training, and plyometrics techniques
* Student study tools-including chapter objectives, key points, sidebars with practical applications, chapter questions, and a comprehensive glossary-that help readers prepare for the NSCA-CPT exam
* Targeted expert information that will give readers the expertise to deal with clients who have special exercise needs, such as pregnant women, older adults, athletes, and overweight clients
* Scientific and applied information geared toward personal training client consultation and evaluation, exercise technique, program design, and safety and legal issues

NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training is the most comprehensive reference available for personal trainers and other fitness professionals. As an exam preparation tool, it is unmatched in its scope and relevance to the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer examination. It is an essential reference for anyone preparing for or already working in a career as a personal trainer.

Part I. Exercise Sciences
Chapter 1. Structure and Function of the Muscular, Nervous, and Skeletal Systems, Len Kravitz
Chapter 2. Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems, Mark A. Williams
Chapter 3. Bioenergetics, Travis Triplett-McBride
Chapter 4. Biomechanics, Everett Harman
Chapter 5. Resistance Training Adaptations, Lee E. Brown, Joseph P. Weir
Chapter 6. Aerobic Training Adaptations, Lee E. Brown, Matthew J. Comeau
Chapter 7. Nutritional Considerations, Kristin J. Reimers
Chapter 8. Exercise Psychology for the Personal Trainer, Bradley Hatfield, Phil Kaplan

Part II. Initial Consultation and Evaluation
Chapter 9. Client Consultation and Health Appraisal, John A. Kordich
Chapter 10. Fitness Assessment Selection and Administration, John A. Kordich, Susan L. Heinrich
Chapter 11. Fitness Testing Protocols and Norms, Joel T. Cramer, Jared W. Coburn

Part III. Exercise Technique
Chapter 12. Flexibility, Body Weight, and Stability Ball Exercise Techniques, Allen Hedrick
Chapter 13. Resistance Training Exercise Techniques, Roger W. Earle, Thomas R. Baechle
Chapter 14. Cardiovascular Activity Techniques, J. Henry "Hank" Drought
Part IV. Program Design
Chapter 15. Resistance Training Program Design, Thomas R. Baechle, Roger W. Earle
Chapter 16. Aerobic Endurance Training Program Design, Patrick S. Hagerman
Chapter 17. Plyometric and Speed Training, David H. Potach

Part V. Clients With Unique Needs
Chapter 18. Clients Who Are Pregnant, Older, or Preadolescent, Wayne L. Westcott, Avery D. Faigenbaum
Chapter 19. Clients With Nutritional Considerations, Christine L. Vega, Carlos E. Jiménez
Chapter 20. Clients With Cardiovascular and Respiratory Conditions, Robert Watine
Chapter 21. Clients With Orthopedic, Injury, and Rehabilitation Concerns, David H. Potach, Todd Ellenbecker
Chapter 22. Clients With Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, and Cerebral Palsy, Tom LaFontaine
Chapter 23. Clients Who Are Athletes, Dave Pearson, John Graham
Part VI. Safety and Legal Issues
Chapter 24. Facility and Equipment Layout and Maintenance, Mike Greenwood
Chapter 25. Legal Issues in Personal Training, Tony Abbott, JoAnn
Eickhoff-Shemek

Appendix A. Business Management for the Personal Trainer
Appendix B. Conversion Chart
Answers to Study Questions
Suggestion Solutions for Applied Knowledge Questions