NASM CPT Topic Guide
Client Assessment
Assessment questions usually test what information to collect, when to refer out, and how movement screens guide programming decisions.
What the exam tends to ask
Subjective and objective information gathered before programming.
Resting measurements, body composition, cardiorespiratory tests, postural assessment, movement assessment, and performance tests.
How overhead squat and single-leg assessments feed corrective and integrated programming choices.
Must-know concepts
Subjective data
Client history, goals, occupation, recreation, medical flags, and readiness details that shape risk and programming context.
Objective data
Measured outputs such as resting HR/BP, composition, cardio fitness, posture, movement quality, and performance baselines.
Movement assessment
A screen for altered joint motion and kinetic-chain compensation, not a diagnosis.
Practice prompts
- 01Sort common assessment findings into subjective versus objective information.
- 02Explain how a movement compensation changes exercise selection without diagnosing pathology.