CEC Articles

Category for NFPT CEC articles (continuing education credits) containing information for NFPT-certified personal trainers to earn CECs.

Training the Basketball Athlete

All athletes understand the need for proper conditioning in order to excel in their particular sport. If their body is not in top shape they will not be able to compete at the level needed or expected. The purpose of training is to improve the performance and conditioning of the athlete in their particular sport. In the case of the basketball athlete, their integrated movement of agility, strength, explosiveness and cardio conditioning should be the major focus of their training.

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Principles of Resistance Training

Resistance training has many aspects. It can be utilized to gain muscular size, endurance, recovery of an injury or as part of an athlete’s training program. This article will cover some of the principles of resistance training and how your client can benefit from them.

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Nutrition Around Your Workouts!

When it comes to eating a pre and post-workout meal there is a lot of debate on what to eat, how long before and after exercise should you eat, and how much you should eat. This article will cover some of the basics of pre post-workout nutrition.

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Tips on Cardio Training

It is important for personal trainers to be well-rounded and well versed in variety of exercises. Every trainer should know how to train someone by means of aerobic (cardiovascular), anaerobic, flexibility, and agility-based activities.

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Exercise & Bone Health

Exercise can exhibit noticeable effects on muscle tissue, of course, but it can also affect the body’s main supporting structures – the bones.

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Calculating RMR (Without a Lab)

A person’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) represent the total amount of energy the body consumes while at rest or asleep. One of the main purposes for determining these rates with respect to fitness is to help calculate a person’s basic caloric needs each day.

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Keys to Successful Aging

One of my favorite quotes, especially now that I am in my early 50’s, goes something like this: “Growing old is mandatory; growing up, however, is optional”. With today’s Baby Boomers comprising nearly 20% of the American population, we need to recognize their presence in a variety of arenas, including the paradigm of wellness and self-care.

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Supply & Demand: Working the Muscles of the Lower Body

Many people want to build muscle in the arms, shoulders, back and chest – the ‘show’ muscles – at the expense of what are sometimes perceived as the less flashy muscles of the lower body. That’s unfortunate, because there are some very sound reasons not to neglect those muscles for the benefit of the whole body.

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Another Look at Sugar

Sugar occurs naturally in many foods and is added to many more. Whether it is used as a flavoring agent, as a preservative, or as both, it’s easy to get too much of this “sweet” thing.

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