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Free NASM-CPT Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free NASM-CPT practice test to study every exam domain.

The NASM-CPT exam has 120 questions and runs 2 hours.

These 10 free NASM-CPT questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the NASM Certified Personal Trainer blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Professional Development and Responsibility (8-15%)

Question 1

The activation of a muscle causing simultaneous relaxation of its antagonist describes:

  1. Autogenic inhibition
  2. The stretch reflex
  3. Synergistic dominance
  4. Reciprocal inhibition
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Reciprocal inhibition

Domain 2: Client Relations and Behavioral Coaching (10-15%)

Question 2

A client says: "I know I should exercise, but I'm just not sure I'm ready to commit." This client is MOST likely in which stage of change?

  1. Precontemplation
  2. Action
  3. Contemplation
  4. Maintenance
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Contemplation

Domain 3: Basic and Applied Sciences and Nutritional Concepts (15-20%)

Question 3

A client exhibits excessive forward lean during the overhead squat. Placing the client's heels on a raised surface corrects the compensation. What is the MOST likely cause?

  1. Restricted ankle dorsiflexion
  2. Tight hip flexors
  3. Weak erector spinae
  4. Overactive gluteus maximus
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Restricted ankle dorsiflexion

Question 4

During the overhead squat, a client's knees collapse inward (valgus). Which muscle is MOST likely OVERACTIVE?

  1. Gluteus medius and minimus
  2. Adductor complex
  3. Vastus medialis oblique and lateralis
  4. Gluteus maximus and piriformis
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Adductor complex

Question 5

A client demonstrates perfect form during the overhead squat but shows knee valgus during the single-leg squat. This indicates:

  1. The overhead squat assessment lacks sufficient movement complexity
  2. The client demonstrates adequate bilateral movement compensation patterns
  3. Bilateral stability masks a unilateral hip stabilizer weakness
  4. The single-leg squat requires additional proprioceptive training protocols
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Bilateral stability masks a unilateral hip stabilizer weakness

Domain 4: Assessment 15% of exam

Question 6

A trainer prescribes a superset of barbell bench press (5 reps at 85% 1RM) followed by medicine ball chest pass (10 reps at 30% 1RM). This describes which OPT phase?

  1. Phase 1: Stabilization Endurance
  2. Phase 4: Maximal Strength
  3. Phase 2: Strength Endurance
  4. Phase 5: Power
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Phase 5: Power

Question 7

Using the Karvonen formula, what is the target heart rate for a 30-year-old with a resting HR of 60 bpm training at 80% intensity?

  1. 152 bpm
  2. 164 bpm
  3. 148 bpm
  4. 172 bpm
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 164 bpm

Domain 5: Program Design 20% of exam

Question 8

The correct order of the Corrective Exercise Continuum is:

  1. Activate, Inhibit, Lengthen, Integrate
  2. Lengthen, Inhibit, Activate, Integrate
  3. Inhibit, Lengthen, Activate, Integrate
  4. Integrate, Activate, Lengthen, Inhibit
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Inhibit, Lengthen, Activate, Integrate

Question 9

A client performing squat jumps consistently lands with valgus knee collapse. The trainer should:

  1. Continue with the exercise since some valgus is normal during plyometrics
  2. Increase the jump height to improve landing mechanics and knee stability
  3. Regress the exercise and address the knee valgus through corrective exercise before progressing
  4. Add weight to the squat jump to strengthen the stabilizing muscles
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Regress the exercise and address the knee valgus through corrective exercise before progressing

Domain 6: Exercise Technique and Training Instruction 20% of exam

Question 10

A client asks their personal trainer to create a specific 2,000-calorie meal plan with exact food portions. The trainer should:

  1. Create the plan but add a disclaimer that it is not medical advice
  2. Create the meal plan since it's a reasonable request
  3. Create the plan only if the client signs a waiver
  4. Refer the client to a registered dietitian as this exceeds CPT scope
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Refer the client to a registered dietitian as this exceeds CPT scope

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