ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 7th Edition

ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)

ISBN (print): 9781975219314

ISBN (eBook): 9781975219352

Published: July 2026 (7th edition)

Format: Hardcover (670 pages) or eBook (Bookshelf)

Language: English

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

Description

ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 7th Edition, is a reference and review package for both Certified Personal Trainer candidates and practicing personal trainers. Published by the American College of Sports Medicine, it is fully aligned with the twelfth edition of ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription and covers current practice in client screening, exercise program development and work with special populations. The book moves from an introduction to the profession and the science behind it, through the building blocks of a successful exercise program, to the establishment of a personal training practice. Case studies and study features support retention for the ACSM-CPT exam.

Key Features

- Content updated to the twelfth edition of ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, including work with special populations and new guidance on brain health.
- Evidence-backed, client-centered approach that explains the reasoning behind each element of program design and gives the trainer tools to communicate it to clients, supporting comprehension and adherence.
- Practical applications drawn from the text: screening and risk classification of a new client, building a progressive exercise program, adapting training for special populations, and setting up a personal training practice.
- Student-friendly features: full-color photographs, expanded Key Points boxes, case studies with open-ended questions, chapter objectives and summaries, and icons that flag available videos.
- Publisher digital resources listed for the edition include nearly 1,400 PrepU questions (200+ new), chapter comprehension quizzes, concept videos and digital case studies; instructor resources include a test bank, PowerPoint slides and lesson plans.
- Available in two versions on this page: the hardcover and the eBook delivered through the Bookshelf platform.

Coverage

- The profession: introduction to the field and career pathways in personal training
- The science: the scientific foundations behind exercise and training
- Client work: client screening, assessment, communication and a client-centered approach
- Program design: the building blocks of a safe and effective exercise program for a variety of clients
- Special populations and brain health, in line with the twelfth edition of the ACSM Guidelines
- Practice: establishing and running a successful personal training practice

About the Authors

ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer is published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the organization behind the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT) examination and ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, with which this edition is aligned.

Table of Contents

The book is organized around the personal trainer's career path: an introduction to the field and profession of personal training; the science behind the field; the building blocks of a successful exercise program; and the establishment of a successful personal training practice. The publisher's detailed chapter list is available on request.

Why buy this book?

This is the official preparation text for the ACSM-CPT exam and, in its 7th edition, the version aligned with the current ACSM Guidelines. It serves candidates preparing for certification, working trainers who need a scientific reference for screening and program design, and exercise science and allied health programs that teach personal training. Choose the hardcover for the shelf or the eBook for on-device reading.

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Keywords

personal training, ACSM, ACSM-CPT, Certified Personal Trainer, exercise prescription, client screening, exercise program design, special populations, exercise science, health and fitness

Target Audience

Personal trainers, exercise science students, Health Professionals, University Libraries

Genre

Exercise Science, Personal Training, Health & fitness, Professional Certification, Physiology

Q&A

What does ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 7th Edition cover?
It covers the profession of personal training, the science behind it, client screening and assessment, exercise program design, special populations and the establishment of a personal training practice.

What is new in the 7th edition?
The 7th edition is aligned with the twelfth edition of ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, including updated content on special populations and new guidance on brain health.

Is it the preparation text for the ACSM-CPT exam?
It is published by the American College of Sports Medicine as a reference and review package for Certified Personal Trainer candidates, with case studies and study features to support exam preparation, and is also useful to practicing personal trainers.

Is it available as an eBook as well as in print?
Yes. Choose Hardcover or eBook above. The eBook uses the Bookshelf platform: you receive a redemption code by email within 2 business days, and we recommend downloading the eBook, since online access lasts one year while the downloaded copy does not expire.

Where can I buy ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, 7th Edition?
You can order it directly from CLNZ Books, in hardcover or eBook, with worldwide shipping included on the print edition and secure payment via credit card or PayPal.

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