CSCS study materials
CSCS study resources

CSCS study plan

CSCS · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Exercise Sciences (scientific foundations)

  • Explain the three energy systems and identify which one predominates at given exercise intensities and durations

  • Diagram the sliding-filament sequence and classify muscle fiber types by oxidative and glycolytic capacity

  • Apply lever, torque, and moment-arm principles to ten common free-weight and machine exercises

  • Calculate work, power, and mechanical advantage for given load, displacement, and velocity scenarios

  • Describe the acute cardiovascular and respiratory responses to a single bout of resistance exercise

Your checkpoint

Closed-book 30-question Domain 1 quiz (bioenergetics, neuromuscular, biomechanics) scored at or above 80%, with every missed item rewritten as a correct one-sentence statement.

Week 2

Exercise Sciences (scientific foundations) & Program Design

  • Compare chronic adaptations to resistance versus aerobic training across muscle, bone, connective tissue, and cardiorespiratory variables

  • Summarize endocrine responses (anabolic and catabolic) to resistance exercise and their training implications

  • Map each Domain 1 concept to a specific program-design decision such as rest interval, load, or exercise order

  • Define intensity, volume, frequency, and rest using percent-of-1RM and RPE anchors

  • Distinguish anatomical, biomechanical, and metabolic rationale for exercise selection

Your checkpoint

A two-column 'science to design decision' reference table with at least 25 rows, each pairing a scientific principle with the training variable it drives.

Week 3

Program Design

  • Design a 12-week periodized macrocycle for a hypothetical strength athlete, labeling mesocycles and loading progressions

  • Select loads, volumes, rest intervals, and progression schemes matched to hypertrophy, strength, and power goals

  • Modify a written program for a client with a stated injury history using safe exercise substitutions

  • Sequence warm-up and resistance-training exercise order to reflect stated priority goals

  • Justify each training variable with one evidence-based rationale sentence

Your checkpoint

One complete 12-week periodized program for a described hypothetical client, with a rationale sentence written next to every training variable.

Week 4

Program Design & Exercise Technique

  • Script the setup, execution, and two to three coaching cues for squat, deadlift, bench press, overhead press, and power clean

  • Identify 15 common technique faults and pair each with a corrective cue or drill

  • Apply spotting and safety rules to free-weight, machine, and Olympic-lift scenarios

  • Match exercise selection to movement pattern, joint action, and training goal

  • Explain breathing and bracing mechanics during heavy compound lifts

Your checkpoint

A technique cue card set for 10 core lifts (setup, execution, cues, three common faults each), self-checked against the fault-correction list.

Week 5

Exercise Technique & Testing and Evaluation

  • Administer and interpret field and laboratory tests including 1RM, vertical jump, agility T-test, and submaximal aerobic tests

  • Order a testing session to minimize fatigue contamination across power, strength, and endurance measures

  • Calculate and interpret reliability, validity, and typical error from given test-retest data

  • Select and justify a test battery for a described athlete using validity and reliability criteria

  • Convert raw test scores into percentile rankings using provided normative tables

Your checkpoint

A written six-test battery for one hypothetical athlete including testing-day sequence, normative interpretation table, and a justification sentence per test.

Week 6

Testing and Evaluation & Nutrition (scientific foundations)

  • Interpret descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients applied to test data

  • Calculate energy intake and macronutrient targets for a described athlete from body mass and training load

  • Evaluate the evidence and safety caveats for creatine, caffeine, and beta-alanine supplementation

  • Apply pre-, intra-, and post-training nutrition and hydration timing guidelines

  • Explain the physiological rationale for each nutrition recommendation made

Your checkpoint

A one-day nutrition plan for a described 80 kg strength athlete with calories, grams of each macronutrient, fluid target, and a timed meal and supplement schedule.

Week 7

Nutrition (scientific foundations) & Organization and Administration

  • Draft a strength facility layout and equipment list that satisfies traffic-flow and safety standards

  • Write an emergency action plan outline covering roles, communication, and equipment access

  • Specify daily, weekly, and annual equipment inspection and sanitation schedules

  • Describe staff qualification, liability, and record-keeping requirements for a training facility

Your checkpoint

A two-page package containing an emergency action plan outline and a tiered equipment inspection and sanitation checklist (daily, weekly, annual).

Week 8

Exercise Sciences (scientific foundations) & Nutrition (scientific foundations) & Exercise Technique & Program Design & Testing and Evaluation & Organization and Administration

  • Complete two full-length timed practice exams and log accuracy by domain and sub-topic

  • Re-teach the three weakest sub-topics from memory without notes

  • Rewrite every previously flagged item as a correct statement and re-quiz on them

  • Consolidate all key formulas, normative values, and guideline numbers onto one reference page

Your checkpoint

Two timed mock exams scored at or above 80% overall with no domain below 70%, plus a one-page final formula and key-numbers sheet.

Milestones

Week 2: Domain 1 self-quiz scored at or above 80% and the science-to-design table has at least 25 completed rows.

Week 4: Mixed 50-question Domain 1 plus Domain 4 set scored at or above 75%, and all Week 1 through 4 deliverables are complete.

Week 6: Domain 5 test-battery deliverable and Domain 2 nutrition plan both completed, with a 40-question Domain 2 and 5 set scored at or above 75%.

Week 8: Two timed full-length mock exams completed at or above 80% overall and 70% in every domain.