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The fitness industry built a moat. We're filling it.

A complete, free education in personal training. 120+ hours, 96 lessons, 8 modules — covering anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, program design, nutrition, special populations, and the business of training. Pass the final and earn the TSC-CPT credential.

9
Modules
96
Lessons
120+
Hours
$0
Forever
Start Learning — Lesson 1 View Full Curriculum

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The Curriculum

The same body of knowledge required to sit for NASM, ACE, ISSA, NSCA, and ACSM certifications — taught in the order it makes sense, not the order they decided to organize it.

Module 1 · ANATOMY

Functional Anatomy

How the human body is put together — what moves what, where it attaches, why it matters.
11 Lessons ~14 hours 1 Exam
1. Anatomical position, planes, and directional terms Available
45 min
2. The skeletal system: bones, joints, and ranges of motion
60 min
3. Joint classifications and movement types
50 min
4. Muscular system: structure and naming conventions
55 min
5. Muscles of the upper body — origins, insertions, actions
90 min
6. Muscles of the lower body — origins, insertions, actions
90 min
7. Muscles of the core and trunk
60 min
8. Connective tissue: tendons, ligaments, fascia
40 min
9. The nervous system in movement
50 min
10. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems
60 min
11. Module 1 mastery exam · EXAM
60 min
Module 2 · KINESIOLOGY

Kinesiology & Biomechanics

The mechanics of human movement. Force, leverage, and why exercises work the way they do.
11 Lessons ~16 hours 1 Exam
1. Forces in the body: gravity, friction, ground reaction Available
50 min
2. Levers in the human body (1st, 2nd, 3rd class)
55 min
3. Force-velocity and length-tension relationships
60 min
4. Muscle contraction types: isometric, concentric, eccentric
55 min
5. Joint actions: kinetic chains, open vs closed
60 min
6. Biomechanics of the squat
70 min
7. Biomechanics of the deadlift
70 min
8. Biomechanics of pressing and pulling
70 min
9. Gait, posture, and movement screening
65 min
10. Common movement compensations and what they mean
60 min
11. Module 2 mastery exam · EXAM
60 min
Module 3 · PHYSIOLOGY

Exercise Physiology

How the body adapts to training. Energy systems, hormones, recovery, and what you're actually building.
10 Lessons ~14 hours 1 Exam
1. Bioenergetics: ATP-PC, glycolytic, oxidative systems Available
60 min
2. VO2 max, lactate threshold, and aerobic capacity
55 min
3. Muscle fiber types: Type I, IIa, IIx
50 min
4. Hormonal response to exercise
60 min
5. Cardiovascular adaptations to training
55 min
6. Muscular adaptations: hypertrophy, hyperplasia, neural
65 min
7. Principles of overload, specificity, reversibility
55 min
8. Recovery, sleep, and overtraining syndrome
60 min
9. Thermoregulation and exercise in heat/cold
50 min
10. Module 3 mastery exam · EXAM
60 min
Module 4 · ASSESSMENT

Assessment & Screening

How to find out where a client is before you start training them.
9 Lessons ~12 hours 1 Exam
1. PAR-Q and health screening Available
45 min
2. Resting measurements: HR, BP, body composition
55 min
3. Static postural assessment
60 min
4. Dynamic movement screens (FMS, overhead squat)
70 min
5. Cardiorespiratory fitness testing
55 min
6. Muscular strength and endurance testing
60 min
7. Flexibility and mobility assessment
50 min
8. Goal setting: SMART, behavior change models
50 min
9. Module 4 mastery exam · EXAM
60 min
Module 5 · PROGRAMMING

Program Design

Turning assessment data into a training plan that produces results.
12 Lessons ~18 hours 1 Exam
1. Acute training variables: reps, sets, intensity, rest Available
60 min
2. Periodization: linear, undulating, block
70 min
3. Designing for hypertrophy
65 min
4. Designing for maximal strength
65 min
5. Designing for fat loss
65 min
6. Designing for athletic performance
70 min
7. Designing for general fitness and longevity
60 min
8. Warm-up and cool-down protocols
50 min
9. Exercise selection and progression
65 min
10. Programming for limited equipment
55 min
11. Building a 12-week program: case studies
90 min
12. Module 5 mastery exam · EXAM
75 min
Module 6 · NUTRITION

Nutrition for Trainers

What you can and cannot say. Macros, micros, and how to actually move the needle on body composition.
9 Lessons ~12 hours 1 Exam
1. Scope of practice: nutrition vs medical nutrition therapy Available
45 min
2. Energy balance and the calorie
55 min
3. Macronutrients: protein, carbs, fat
70 min
4. Micronutrients: vitamins and minerals
50 min
5. Hydration and electrolytes
45 min
6. Nutrient timing and meal frequency
55 min
7. Supplements: evidence-based picks
65 min
8. Counseling clients on nutrition habits
60 min
9. Module 6 mastery exam · EXAM
60 min
Module 7 · SPECIAL-POPULATIONS

Special Populations

Training people who aren't your average 25-year-old: older adults, pregnancy, youth, chronic conditions.
9 Lessons ~14 hours 1 Exam
1. Older adults and sarcopenia Available
70 min
2. Pre and post-natal training
65 min
3. Youth and adolescent training
60 min
4. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease
65 min
5. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
65 min
6. Osteoarthritis and joint replacements
60 min
7. Low back pain protocols
70 min
8. Obesity and weight management
60 min
9. Module 7 mastery exam · EXAM
60 min
Module 8 · BUSINESS

The Business of Training

How to actually make a living. Pricing, retention, marketing, legal, insurance, and the mindset shift.
9 Lessons ~10 hours 1 Exam
1. Pricing your services without underselling Available
50 min
2. Liability insurance and legal structure
50 min
3. Client onboarding and intake systems
55 min
4. Retention: keeping clients past month 3
60 min
5. Building an audience on Instagram and TikTok
65 min
6. Referral systems that actually work
50 min
7. Building a hybrid practice (in-person + online)
55 min
8. Burnout, boundaries, and longevity in the industry
50 min
9. Module 8 mastery exam · EXAM
60 min
Module 9 · CAPSTONE

Capstone — Certification

Final examination. Pass to earn the THE SYSTEM Certified Trainer (TSC-CPT) badge.
3 Lessons ~4 hours 1 Exam
1. Comprehensive review session
90 min
2. Case study: program a real client
90 min
3. Final certification exam (200 questions, 70% to pass) · EXAM · FINAL CERTIFICATION
180 min

Why is this free?

Because the existing trainer certifications charge $700-$2,000 for the same body of knowledge that's already in textbooks. We think gatekeeping the people who could fix the country's health problem is insane. So we're not doing it.

Start Lesson 1 — Free