Core Strengthening Specialist (ISFA-CSS)

When you think about core strength, do you picture a six-pack and endless crunches? Then it’s time to shift your perspective, because having a strong core is about much more than that

Everyday activities, from tying your shoelaces and cleaning to lifting heavy weights and doing athletic exercises, require efficient core muscle function. The stronger your core, the better your performance.

Proper core training is the missing link a tennis, golf, or soccer player needs to develop the power necessary to hit the ball harder and faster. Furthermore, a strong core could be the key to a long and healthy athletic career.

What muscles make up the core?

The core muscles include the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, internal and external obliques, erector spinae, and pelvic floor muscles. These muscles form the central link between the upper and lower body and are also responsible for maintaining spinal and pelvic stability. The core muscles are fundamental for transferring energy from the larger parts of the body to the smaller ones, and therefore, as you can imagine, they play a very important role when playing sports.

The benefits of having strong core muscles

Having a strong core not only influences your appearance, but also has a positive impact on your overall physical well-being. The benefits of core training include:

Stabilizing the lower back

When you train your core muscles, your lower back also becomes stronger and more functional. This will alleviate, improve, or prevent back problems. Core strength is also very important when it comes to weightlifting. Strong core muscles protect your back, thus reducing the likelihood of injury.

Running faster

Did you know that core strength is extremely important for a runner? The core muscles keep your torso upright when running and allow your pelvis, hips, and lower back to work together smoothly. Since the arms and legs are connected to the core muscles, the stronger the torso, the stronger the limbs. A runner knows the importance of maximum leg strength.

Increase Flexibility

As mentioned above, core exercises stabilize the lower back. This can do wonders for the ligaments and muscles. With a stable back, stress and tension disappear, leading to a greater range of motion and increased flexibility.

Improve Balance, Coordination, Posture, and Brainpower

As the back and abdominal muscles become stronger, balance and coordination also improve. Core exercises stimulate a specific area of ​​the brain called the cerebellum, which influences coordination, spatial awareness, and balance. These exercises are not only a workout for the body but also for the brain. If you play sports that require hand-eye coordination, such as baseball, basketball, soccer, or tennis, it’s worth making time to work on your core muscles.

As you can see, a core strengthening program isn’t limited to just abdominal exercises. It’s much more complex, as it must include components that first work the deep core muscles so they can be activated when most needed, thus fulfilling their stabilizing function. Then, it works the superficial muscles so they act synergistically, achieving greater efficiency, strength, and power.

A core strengthening program should create an efficient transfer of force from the lower to the upper body and vice versa to improve both athletic performance and the daily activities of the participants.

Our course will teach you how to design suitable programs for different types of clients (athletes, seniors, executives, sedentary individuals, etc.). You’ll learn to conduct physical fitness assessments, obtaining the data that will serve as the basis for creating core strengthening programs tailored to each individual’s needs.

Don’t wait any longer, start studying our course today and become a Core Strengthening Specialist (ISFA-CSS)

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Gain a basic understanding of core training.
  • Learn how to teach your clients how to effectively engage their core muscles and control their lumbar spine.
  • Learn how to start with the basics and then add equipment when clients can adequately engage their internal abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.
  • Review the muscles involved and the fundamentals of core training.
  • Expand your knowledge of which core training exercises to use as preparation for dynamic movements that engage the core muscles.
  • Provide proper instruction to achieve correct exercise technique.
  • Discover how to help preserve and improve a client’s core strength and flexibility to support a more active and healthy life.
  • Enhance your understanding of the benefits of using equipment such as stability balls, resistance bands, medicine balls, kettlebells, etc., to improve core strength.
  • Understand how to perform safe core training routines. Learn useful tips to share with clients to strengthen their core.

NOTE: The course is delivered entirely online in PDF format upon purchase, allowing you to learn at home or at work, at your convenience and pace. In-depth text, charts, photographs, etc., help communicate the material in a user-friendly way for easy learning.

 

COURSE DETAILS

LEARNING FORMAT: Digital manual that you can download to your computer and study at your own pace. To view the contents of our manual, click here.

PRE-REQUISITE: Not required, but highly recommended, to have completed our Certified Personal Trainer (ISFA-CPT) course.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS: Upon completion of this course, you will receive 2.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) that you can apply toward the recertification process for our Certified Personal Trainer (ISFA-CPT) course.

RENEWAL: Not applicable; this certificate does not expire.

EXAM REQUIREMENTS: Achieve a minimum of 70% correct answers on a 50-question multiple-choice online exam. Your exam results will be provided upon completion. To access the exam, please email education@isfasite.com specifying the date and time you wish to take it. After passing your exam, you will receive your certificate by mail. International students will receive their certificates within 2-3 weeks.

RETAKE FEE: If you do not pass your exam on the first attempt, you will have another opportunity to take it completely FREE. However, if you fail the exam a second time, you will be required to pay a retake fee of $50 for each attempt after the second.

TIME TO COMPLETE THE COURSE: This course can be completed in 2-4 weeks, but you have up to one (1) year from the date of purchase to take the exam to avoid penalties.

After successfully completing this course you will earn the professional title of CORE STRENGTHENING SPECIALIST on your certificate.