Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning Certification (SMAC)

The ISSA has designed a unique solution in its fitness certification program for martial arts instructors. This program is the world's first to address the specific training needs of martial arts professionals. Fitness instructors who have mastered not only their art, but also the principles and methods of scientific sport training, will get the best results from their students.

Back in the "old days", promotion to black belt was all that was needed in terms of securing credibility in the martial arts profession. But that's all changed now. The ISSA's martial arts trainer course curriculum includes information on periodization and planning, managing acute training variables, performance nutrition and supplementation, improving joint range of motion, mastering principles of sport training, integrating conditioning and skill training, strength and speed-strength development, competition readiness, injury prevention and management, and increasing your clientele.

This program is the world's first to address the specific training needs of martial arts professionals. Fitness instructors who have mastered not only their art, but also the principles and methods of scientific sport training, will get the best results from their students.

Your course materials will also include your Home Study Section Quizzes. Once you have submitted at least 66% of your course quizzes, you will be sent your official Home Study final examination. You may also choose to complete your Section Quizzes online, if you would prefer. Should you choose to complete your quizzes online, once you have submitted at least 66% of them, you will be sent your official final examination.

Included in the Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning course (SMAC)

The ISSA’s martial arts trainer course curriculum (257 pages) includes information on periodization and planning, managing acute training variables, performance nutrition and supplementation, improving joint range of motion, mastering principles of sport training, integrating conditioning and skill training, strength and speed-strength development, competition readiness, injury prevention and management, and increasing your clientele.

20 Years of Educating and Certifying Personal Trainers

Since 1988, the ISSA has certified and provided continuing fitness education to nearly 100,000 people just like you who want to help others feel better, look better and improve the quality of their lives.

We are unconditionally committed to providing expanded access to the highest quality personal training certification and continuing fitness education programs available, advancing our industry as a whole, and developing greater access to career opportunities for those who share our vision of Creating a Stronger, Healthier World™.

Try our Career Calculator to calculate how much extra money you could earn this year by turning your passion for fitness into profit as a personal trainer with just a few clients a week.

ISSA Youth Fitness Trainer Course Study Options

It all starts with home study materials. Our course is self-paced, so you can take as much or as little time as you need to complete it, up to two years. The home study materials you receive are all that is necessary to pass your exam. We also provide one-on-one toll-free phone support Monday through Friday to our students at no additional charge.

Enhance Your Studies With Online Learning

We also provide the ability to enhance your home studies with online learning at no additional charge. ISSAtrainer.com, our exclusive members-only site, includes interactive quizzes, online educational support, as well as audio muscle and supplement glossaries (so that you know how to pronounce the new terms you learn) and a video exercise library that demonstrates proper form for some of the most common and most effective strength exercises.

You receive the home study materials, section quizzes, and online access when you enroll in ISSA.

Your certification exam is open book and untimed. We will mail your final exam once you have completed/submitted at least 66% of your course quizzes. You may choose to complete your Section Quizzes either online or via mail--whichever direction works best for you.

ISSA Youth Fitness Trainer Certification Exam

Your final examination consists of four sections:

• SECTION I: The first part of your Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning Examination is worth 50 points and consists of 50 true/false questions
• SECTION II: The second part of your examination is worth 50 points and consists of 50 multiple choice questions
• SECTION III: The third part of your Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning Examination includes five learning experiences, worth 100 points
• SECTION IV: The fourth part of your examination is worth 100 points and consists of four case studies

How long does it take to complete the certification?

You have up to two years from the date of enrollment to complete your course. However, you may complete the course as quickly or as slowly as you would like within that 2 year period.

Help us Create a Stronger, Healthier World.™

Enroll Online or call us toll free at 800-892-4772 to speak with one of our enrollment representatives.

Student Support

We are most proud of the fact that ISSA's personal training course offerings do not just begin and end with a book and a piece of paper. While we are committed to providing top-quality course materials to potential fitness trainers, our course offerings do not stop there.

We also provide unlimited one-on-one support to all ISSA students as they study for their personal training certification exam—both online and LIVE via our toll-free help line—at no additional cost.

But, best of all, the ISSA's support doesn't end once you pass your exam. Included with your course fee is unlimited access to our ISSAtrainer.com web site, where you can access hundreds of job listings, ISSA exclusive opportunities and discounts, and our online forum where you can post client or business challenges and receive guidance from members of the ISSA family worldwide.

And access to this site is available for as long as you remain an ISSA personal trainer in good standing.

Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning: Table of Contents

ISSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE: Fundamental Principles of Sport Training

CHAPTER TWO: Periodization

CHAPTER THREE: Strength: Your Athletic Foundation

CHAPTER FOUR: Performance Nutrition for Martial Artists

CHAPTER FIVE: Improving Joint Range of Motion

CHAPTER SIX: Prevention and Management of Injuries

CHAPTER SEVEN: Technical Preparation

CHAPTER EIGHT: Competition Day

RESOURCES

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Course Author

Charles Staley, B.Sc., MSS

Charles I. Staley, B.Sc., MSS, is a sports conditioning specialist and Vice President of Program Development for the International Sports Sciences Association. A former martial arts competitor and trainer, Staley is also an Olympic weightlifting coach, as well as a master’s level track and field competitor (discus event). He has coached elite athletes from many sports, including martial arts, boxing, track & field, football, Olympic weightlifting, and bodybuilding. Staley has written over 150 published articles, and has lectured extensively on the topics of human performance and sport training. He has recently authored a text on conditioning for the martial arts, and has several other books in the planning stages. Staley’s award-winning web site, (Fundamentals of Strength Training for Sport, located at www.myodynamics.com), is consistently ranked among the top 50 in the world in the health & fitness category.

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