Catalyst Fitness is currently offering four options to enhance your career and level of education. The first course is the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Exam Prep Course and the second is the Catalyst Fitness Practical Skills Course. Both courses take place for 12 weeks and will be held at Catalyst Fitness. Email info@fitnesscatalyst.com for a schedule of upcoming classes.

Bill Sonnemaker, MS, PES, CES, CSCS is the lead instructor for both courses. Bill is the recipient of the 2007 NASM Pursuit of Excellence Award in Health and Fitness Award, 2007 IDEA International Personal trainer of The Year Award. He was voted Atlanta's Best Personal Trainer the last three years in a row (2005, 2006, and 2007). Bill holds a Masters Degree in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention along with certifications and advanced specializations from NASM, NSCA, ACE, and ACSM.

Option #1-Catalyst Fitness NASM Exam Prep Course

The NASM-CPT certification (one of the top four preeminent certifications-NASM, NSCA, ACE and ACSM) distinguishes you from average trainers, basing all principles of fitness training upon science, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and the most advanced and established methods of exercise programming. 

Catalyst Fitness, in partnership with NASM, invites you to enroll in our NASM-CPT certification preparatory course.  In this course, veteran Catalyst Fitness trainers will prime you for success and coach you in the critical principles of training endorsed by NASM, including the Optimum Performance Training model, the essentials of Integrated Training, and the cutting-edge research and practical application of functional training

Success entails not only excelling on the NASM examination, but also the thorough application of these principles into your training repertoire.  No other certification prepares you to successfully design exercise programs for clients, providing the knowledge and understanding to select the appropriate acute variables to progress clients safely and efficiently to their goals.  NASM and Catalyst Fitness provide the education, guidance, and hands-on application you need to become an expert trainer and leader in the field of health and fitness.

Over the course of 12 weeks you will become proficient in the following topics:

•      The Scientific Rationale for Integrated Training
•      Basic Exercise Science
•      The Cardio-respiratory System
•      Human Movement Science
•      Fitness Assessments
•      Flexibility Training Concepts
•      Cardio-respiratory Training Concepts
•      Core Training Concepts
•      Balance Training Concepts
•      Reactive Training Concepts
•      Speed, Agility, and Quickness
•      Resistance Training Concepts
•      Program Design Concepts
•      Training Special Populations
•      Nutrition
•      Supplementation
•      Behavior Modification
•      Professional Development

Included in the NASM Exam Prep course are the following resources:

•      NASM Textbook, Study Guide, DVD's, and Exam
•      Hands-on tutoring and guidance
•      Dynamic and effective instruction
•     Comprehensive review materials and Power Point presentations prepared by Catalyst Fitness, Atlanta's #1 Fitness Education Team

Location: Catalyst Fitness

Time/Dates: Email info@fitnesscatalyst.com for a current class schedule.

Cost: Your investment is $999 (includes all materials and testing fees). Please Note: Class meets once per week and is considered full at 10 participants so that instruction may be most effective and individualized.

Note: For Those of You Who Live Out of Geographical Area See Option 4 For Our Correspondence Version

Option #2-Catalyst Fitness Practical Skills Course

Whether you are pursuing a personal training career or simply wanting to improve your exercise technique, this course provides the practical knowledge, skill, and foundation for success.  Crucial to learning about exercise science and the intricacies of human movement science is the accompanying hands-on instruction to solidify these principles and put your training knowledge in motion.    

This course is beneficial to professionals and fitness enthusiasts alike.  David Bagby, ACE Master Trainer, ACE Exam Review Tutor, and Director of the Athletic Club of Jacksonville Florida pronounces this to be "the most comprehensive practical skills course for new trainers that [he] has ever seen."

Practical Skills Course Objectives

Week 1:  Core Training

•     Explanation of the core
•     Anatomy and biomechanics of the core
•     Handouts and articles on core training
•     Demonstrate and perform core exercises
•     Assign Catalyst Fitness Morning Core Training Routine, an ongoing daily requirement for the entire 12 weeks
•     Distribute Catalyst Fitness Journals for students to keep track of their morning routines (teaching them accountability and putting them in the shoes of the client)

Week 2:  SMR Using Foam Rollers

•     Explanation and physiological basis for myofascial release
•     Explanation of SMR technique
•     Demonstrate and perform myofascial release using foam rollers
•     Handouts and articles of myofascial release
•     Criteria and Contraindications for implementation of myofascial release

Week 3:  Stretching 101

•     Types of stretching (Static, Active, PNF, Dynamic)
•     W ⁵ of stretching (Who, What, Where, When, Why)
•     Proper and improper stretching practices
•     Specificity regarding client needs
•     Demonstrate and perform static/active stretches and dynamic warm-up

Week 4:  Band and Tubing Training

•     Benefits and advantages of elastic resistance
•     Examples and variations of elastic resistance
•     Demonstrate and perform Catalyst Fitness Mini-Band Routine
•     Demonstrate and perform Catalyst Fitness Tubing Workouts
•     Handouts and articles on band and tubing training

Week 5:  Bodyweight Training

•     Benefits and advantages of bodyweight training
•     Limiting factors and proper progression
•    Demonstrate and perform exercises (core stabilization/mobilization and single leg progression exercises)
•     Maintaining standards and preventing injury
•     Handouts for additional practice

Week 6:  Circuit Training/Traditional Strength Training Machines

•     Discuss various systems/designs of circuit training
•     Demonstrate, perform, and apply circuit training (cardio, functional training, machines, etc.)
•     Demonstrate proper technique on traditional strength training machines
•     Importance of individual precision, Catalyst Fitness Free Motion handout

Week 7:  Medicine Ball Training

•     Benefits and advantages of medicine ball training
•     Explanation of training versatility
•     Application and program design for medicine ball training
•    Demonstration of medicine ball exercises and circuits
•     Handouts on medicine ball training

Week 8:  Stability Ball Training

•     Benefits and advantages of stability ball training
•    Improving stability for greater functionality
•     Application and program design for stability ball
•    Demonstrate and perform stability ball exercises (with and without external resistance)
•     Articles and handouts on stability ball training

Week 9:  Balance and Stabilization Training

•     Benefits and advantages of balance/stabilization training
•     Explanation of concepts relating to stabilization
•     Protocol for designing a balance training program
•     Demonstrate and perform balance and stabilization exercises

Week 10:  Power, Plyometrics, and Eccentric Training

•     Differentiation between power, plyometrics, and eccentric training
•     W ⁵  of plyometrics (Who, What, Where, When, Why)
•     Plyometrics teaching cues
•     Discuss muscular function and eccentrics
•     Demonstrate and perform power exercises
•     Discuss use of with appropriate populations

Week 11:  Program Design and Exam-Prep for ACE Test

•     Discussion of NASM-OPT phases of training
•     Instruct on and general protocols for ACE exam
•     Handouts on essential elements of program design
•     Addressing muscular imbalances and postural distortions
•     Cross-examining established/acquired knowledge

Additional Topics and Handouts:

•     Movement Assessments
•     Corrective Exercises to address muscular imbalances and postural distortion patterns
•     Warm-up/Cool-down rationale with discussion on proper order
•     Dumbbell training
•     SAQ Training (Speed, Agility, Quickness)
•     ACSM Recommended Exercise Guidelines
•     Tweakology
•    Split-Routine System
•     Phases of Healing

Location: Catalyst Fitness

Time/Dates: Email info@fitnesscatalyst.com for a current class schedule.

Cost: Your investment is $399 (includes all materials).

Please Note: Class meets once per week and is considered full at 10 participants so that instruction may be most effective and individualized.

Option #3-NASM Exam Prep Course and Practical Skills Course

Combine both the NASM Exam Prep Course and the Practical Skills Course to maximize your learning and potential career output.   Attending both courses will best prepare you for a successful and rewarding career in personal training.

Location: Catalyst Fitness

Time/Dates: Email info@fitnesscatalyst.com for a current class schedule.

Cost: Your investment is $1398 (includes all materials and testing fees).

Please Note: Class meets once per week and is considered full at 10 participants so that instruction may be most effective and individualized.

Prior to beginning the course, all students are required to attend an individual registration appointment which includes completion of Catalyst Fitness PARQ, medical history, contact information, safety requirements and expectations, and individual goals, enabling us to best accommodate their needs and ensure success.

To schedule your registration appointment or for more information call 770-499-9143 or send an email to info@fitnesscatalyst.com

Option #4-NASM Exam Prep Course (Correspondence Version)

This option was designed for those students who want to excel yet live outside our geographical area and are unable to attend our live classes and workshops.  Students who enroll in this course receive the same study materials as those students who are enrolled in the "live" version. 

Cost: Your investment is $299

CALABASAS, Cal. (January 15, 2007) - Through a collaborative effort with the California University of Pennsylvania (CUP), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) is proud to announce the two winners of the 2007 Pursuit of Excellence in Health & Fitness Scholarship.

Bill Sonnemaker of Georgia and Jason Morgan of Indiana were awarded scholarships for full, graduate-tuition funding (valued at nearly $15,000) to the CUP web-based Master of Science degree program in one of three specialty tracks: Fitness & Wellness, Performance Enhancement & Injury Prevention, or Rehabilitation Science.

NASM received nearly 60 applications from highly qualified candidates across the globe. Through a detailed selection process, Sonnemaker and Morgan were chosen based on their outstanding academic achievements, experience and professional contributions to the health & fitness industry.

"We were especially impressed with Sonnemaker's scientific approach to fitness, and Morgan’s proven ability to apply solutions to get results," said Dr. Micheal A. Clark, NASM President & CEO. "Together these qualities embody our vision to be global leaders in delivering practical, evidence-based health and fitness solutions. We are proud to have these two winners represent the NASM community through the Pursuit of Excellence Scholarships."

Highlights of their achievements include:

• Bill Sonnemaker, CPT, PES, CES - Bill is a graduate from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, former collegiate wrestler and is currently CEO for an Atlanta-based fitness center with nine years in the fitness industry. He is a long-time contributor to academic and industry publications, and a two-time recipient of "Atlanta's Best Personal Trainer' award.
  
  
• Jason Morgan, ATC, PES - Jason is a graduate of Purdue University's athletic training education program and continues to demonstrate his leadership in the Indianapolis (IN) community at St. Vincent's Hospital. His previous work with the Green Bay Packers aligns with his goal to be an athletic trainer in professional sports.