ACE Fitness / Functional Assessments

Practical & applied knowledge makes up the majority of the test questions for all CPT Exams whether it's ACE, ACSM, or NASM. They want to know you have the base knowledge to properly assess clients and then begin training them in a safe and effective manner. This post provides video links to every assessment as well as other helpful links. We recommend reading the ace fitness textbook, watch the linked videos, and then practice the movements / assessments on yourself, friends, and family members. This will help you retain the information and be able to apply the knowledge learned during the test and into your career as a fitness professional.

Become a Certified Personal Trainer 👉 ACE Study Guide from Amazon and ACE Audio Prep 🎧 from Audible contain s everything you need to pass your exam along with practice questions very similar to the actual tests!

Static Posture

Set it Straight Blog describing the common postural deviations: Lordosis, Kyphosis, Flat Back, Sway Back, and Scoliosis.

Lordosis Description Video *Make sure to know the overactive and underactive muscles involved with this deviation.

• Lordosis vs Swayback explanation

• Flat back description video

• Kyphosis description video

ACE blog on muscles that move the scapula

*Make sure to know the overactive and underactive muscles associated with scapular abduction / pronation which is also seen in the Kyphosis postural deviation.

Postural Deviations & Associated Muscle Imbalances

Movement Screens / Assessments

• Bend & Lift Screen Video

• Hurdle Step Screen Video

• Shoulder Push Stabilization Description (PDF)

ACE blogs on Posture and Movement Assessments

*This is a link to the official website of ACE where they have 5 short blogs describing all of the assessments along with tips to practice and learn them.

Flexibility Screens / Assessments

• Thoracic Spine (T-Spine Mobility Screen)

• Thomas Test Video (Test Hip Flexor Length)

• Passive Straight-Leg (PSL) Raise Video (Hamstrings)

Core Function & Balance Assessments

• Sharpened Romberg Test Video

• Stork-Stand Balance Test Video

• McGill's Torso Test Video

Common Compensations and Muscles involved

• Squat Assessment common compensations

• Knees moving inward during a Squat (Knee Valgus)

• Tight calf muscles description by @moveu_official They have great quick videos describing various compensations and muscles involved and also show the proper way to perform various movements.