Personal Trainer Certifications

From the first hour you’ll be engrossed in hands-on SMR techniques addressing the 3 primary regions and the 20 secondary regions, otherwise known as the Fundamentals. The majority of the class is targeted at not only WHAT to do and HOW to do it, but also WHEN to choose one SMR exercise over another. How to program SMR into your training is a big part of this class, and you’ll walk away with a much deeper appreciation of how to recognize whether you need more roller or ball work, more rest between SMR sessions, or whether you really must enlist the aid of professional assistance.

You will learn how to address the first, next, and last muscles that you should be working on through your SMR homework. (Do your homework!)

Not all joint problems can be fixed through SMR, but you will learn what to look for so you know when to call for help.

Imagine 8 hours of light and deep tissue massage…it’s similar to that!

You will take a written test and review it in class to determine your comfort with the concepts of self-care in the Alexander Method of SMR.

This course will use the SMR, Compression, Stretching, Hot Therapy & Cold Therapy techniques taught in the Level 1 Certification to program recovery routines to correct muscular imbalances that affect the quality of an athlete’s movements.

You will learn how to design SMR routines to remedy common issues in the hips, shoulders, or other areas of the body. From the first hour you will be engaged in proper programming of SMR, stretching, and functional movement strategies to get the most out of your self-care efforts in a group setting. Imagine 8 hours of programming instruction and application of SMR techniques in a group setting.

This class will teach you how to combine stretches and exercises that compliment specific SMR techniques as well as which smr techniques to choose for a given problem, how many techniques to include per routine, and why to combine certain techniques in the same routine.

Not all movement dysfunctions can be fixed through SMR but you will learn what signs to look for so you know when to call for help.

You will take a written test at the end of the day and participate in practical application throughout the day taking turns presenting techniques to the group.

Additional educational materials may be available as well as products, massage stones, and other balls, blocks, and rollers we have selected as appropriate for SMR. Discounts toward available SMR gear may be offered. Selection will be limited by regional availability. Any products included with your registration can be traded toward other products available at the class.

Save time and money and take your Level 1 and Level 2 the same weekend! Available at specifically advertised host locations. Select the combo option when registering.

This course will cover the class preparation, instruction, and management necessary to independently run a Level 1 or Level 2 Alexander Method of SMR Certification. Professional liability limits will be thoroughly covered so as to define what is required, what is acceptable, and what is off limits within the framework of a Alexander Method of SMR Certification.

We will cover instruction of biomechanics, physiology, neurology, and anatomy as is relevant to teaching SMR to coaches and individuals. A strong background in anatomy is recommended. We will cover certain aspects of these subjects in review of the concepts, but a working knowledge in these subjects will assist one in passing the written and performance tests.

The class will build a group instruction class and take turns instructing portions of their class as we practice it as a group in real time. This practice will serve as a refresher for the participants in preparation for the performance test. Class participants will take turns reviewing and critiquing each other’s presentations to recognize minor differences in style versus any corrections necessary. Half of the day is spent practicing the craft of designing routines and presenting the concepts to others.

The second half of the day will primarily consist of testing, both written and performance. The written test will consist of 50 questions in multiple choice format with 2 hours to complete the test. The written test is pass or fail with a 70% correct requirement. The test is open book but not open neighbor. We want you to feel confident that you are allowed to look up information in the event that you do not know it. There is a lot to know with the Alexander Method of SMR certs and it will take time to memorize. As long as you can find the right answer when it is asked of you then we consider that a good answer.

Each student’s presentation portion of the test will be video recorded in private so that no student witnesses any other student’s presentation. Each student will present the same techniques and concepts with the same questions and substitutions required of them so that each student’s answers can be judged against the other’s — a true “apples-to-apples” comparison of each student’s knowledge and style.

The video will be reviewed and graded following the class. Results will be immediately available to the students upon completion of the performance test. Criteria graded in the video will include: command of room, comfort with addressing unusual problems, clarity with informing class participant of risks associated with specific SMR techniques, and of course knowledge of SMR techniques and substitutions. Notes will be allowed with the student, but once the presentation begins we are looking for how a presenter carries themselves without the aid of notes or time to look up an answer. If you do not know an answer that does not mean you fail this portion of the test. We want to know you can handle yourself when someone asks you something you might not know. The over-arching concern here is that you will not mislead or misinform someone just to give them an answer in the moment.

All participants receive printed copies of the Alexander Method of SMR Fundamental Master Trainer manual (Written instructions with full-color pictures and anatomical illustrations in a 315-page workbook) and complimentary full access to our online education website.

Successful completion of this course entitles the participant to certify students in Level 1 and Level 2 Alexander Method of SMR Certifications as well as entitles the gym or franchise to advertise classes, workshops, and certifications with “Alexander Method of SMR” in the name or description.

This class can be “fast tracked” as an add-on to the Level 1 & 2 Combo Certification or a standalone one-day test for knowledgeable, experienced trainers having completed the appropriate prerequisites.

(If you wish to learn all of the Alexander Method of SMR techniques without learning how to conduct the general fitness classes, you will be allowed to take the Level 3 class without taking the Level 2. However, the Level 2 class must be completed in addition to the Level 3 class to be listed in our affiliate network as a Level 3 Certified Instructor.)

From the first hour you’ll be engrossed in the 47 Extended SMR techniques that more thoroughly address the 3 primary regions and the 20 secondary regions. These 47 techniques are grouped into 5 major anatomical regions that should be addressed with 2 or 3 techniques each day for the region that has a persistent issue you would like to remedy.

You will learn how and in what order to address the first, next, and last muscles that you should be working on through your SMR homework. (Do your homework!)

Not all joint problems can be fixed through SMR, but you will learn what to look for so you know when to call for help. Through focused self-care many joint problems can be minimized and some can literally disappear just by treating the body right in a timely and consistent fashion. This class goes into the detail of how to approach the complexity of the body in simple, easy to follow terms.

Imagine 8 hours of light and deep tissue massage PLUS programming instruction for how to plug the SMR techniques into your training, its similar to that!

At the end of the day you will take a written test and review it in class to determine your comfort with the concept of self-care using the Alexander Method of SMR.

All participants receive 8 hours of hands-on instruction in advanced Alexander Method of SMR techniques, a printed copy of the Level 3 Alexander Method of SMR Certification manual (Written instructions with full-color pictures and anatomical illustrations in a 140-page workbook), and a Beastie ball with base from RumbleRoller.

Additional educational materials may be available as well as products, massage stones, and other balls, blocks, and rollers we have selected as appropriate for SMR. Discounts toward available SMR gear may be offered. Selection will be limited by regional availability. Any products included with your registration can be traded toward other products available at the class.

This course will use the SMR, Compression, Stretching, Hot Therapy & Cold Therapy techniques taught in the Level 1 through 3 Alexander Method of SMR Clinics to program corrections for specific muscular imbalances that affect the quality of an athlete’s movements.

Building on the concepts in the Level 2 General Fitness Programming and Level 3 Extended SMR Techniques certifications, you will learn how to identify which muscles your client should be working on through their SMR classwork and homework to improve their functional range of motion (ROM) and which areas they should address through strengthening and/or stretching to better maintain proper posture and ROM.

While reviewing all 70 of the SMR techniques (3 Primary, 20 Secondary, and the 47 Extended Techniques) the class breaks down the common dysfunctions of the overhead squat and develops a course of recommended action to remedy them. The class participants will take a guided tour through many common and some sport-specific movement dysfunctions that athletes will likely develop and need assistance overcoming if they wish to avoid excessive joint stress. We will break down which muscles are the first, next, then last in order of importance to restore or maintain proper ROM as an athlete continues to train. The focus is functional movement corrections, but with an eye on continued activity through the process so downtime is minimized.

Not all movement dysfunctions can be fixed through SMR but you will learn what signs to look for so you know when to call for help. Focused guidance and self-care can prevent a minor nag of an issue from turning into a season-stopping injury. We will explore the performance and recovery metrics to observe and measure to avoid the pitfalls that lead to injury.

Imagine 8 hours of programming instruction for how to plug the SMR techniques into your client’s training. It’s a crash course in scaling SMR for personal training using movement-based anatomy, physiology and biomechanics!

All participants receive 8 hours of hands-on instruction in advanced programming of the Alexander Method of SMR, a printed copy of the Level 4 Alexander Method of SMR Certification manual (Written instructions with full-color pictures and anatomical illustrations in a 100-page workbook), and a Beastie ball with base from RumbleRoller.

Additional educational materials may be available as well as products from RumbleRoller, massage-grade marble or basalt stones, and some of the other balls, blocks, and rollers we have selected as appropriate for SMR. Discounts toward available SMR gear may be offered. Selection will be limited by regional availability.

Save time and money and take your Level 3 and Level 4 the same weekend! Available at specifically advertised host locations. Select the combo option when registering.

This course will cover the class preparation, instruction, and management necessary to independently run a Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 Alexander Method of SMR Certification. Professional liability limits will be thoroughly covered so as to define what is required, what is acceptable, and what is off limits within the framework of a Alexander Method of SMR Certification.

We will cover instruction of biomechanics, physiology, neurology, and anatomy as is relevant to teaching SMR to coaches and individuals. A strong background in anatomy is recommended. We will cover certain aspects of these subjects in review of the concepts on day one, but more knowledge will be required to pass the test on day two.

The morning of day 1 the class will build a group instruction class together and take turns instructing the class as we practice it in real time. This newly created class will serve as a refresher and practice for any participants in preparation for the tests on day two. Class participants will take turns reviewing and critiquing each other’s presentations to recognize minor differences in style versus any corrections made due to inaccuracies.

The afternoon of day 1 the class will break down several individual’s and athlete’s SMR needs and build corrective programs together and take turns instructing portions of each program as we practice it in real time. This newly created class will serve as a refresher and practice for any participants in preparation for the tests on day two. Class participants will take turns reviewing and critiquing each other’s presentations to recognize minor differences in style versus any corrections made due to inaccuracies.

All of day one and half of day two is spent practicing the craft of building SMR classes, individualized programs, and presenting the concepts to others.

The second half of day two will primarily consist of testing, both written and presentation. The written test will consist of 100 questions in multiple choice format with 2 hours to complete the test. The written test is pass or fail with a 70% correct requirement.The test is open book but not open neighbor. We want you to feel confident that you are allowed to look up information in the event that you do not know it. There is a lot to know with the Alexander Method of SMR certs and it will take time to memorize. As long as you can find the right answer when it is asked of you then we consider that a good answer.

Each student’s presentation portion of the test will be video recorded in private so that no student witnesses any other student’s presentation. Each student will present the same techniques and concepts with the same questions and substitutions required of them so that each student’s answers can be judged against the other’s — a true “apples-to-apples” comparison of each student’s knowledge and style.

The video will be reviewed and graded following the class. Results will be made available to the students immediately following the test. Criteria graded in the video will include: command of room, comfort with addressing unusual problems, clarity with informing class participant of risks associated with specific SMR techniques, and of course knowledge of SMR techniques and substitutions. Notes will be allowed with the student, but once the presentation begins we are looking for how a presenter carries themselves without the aid of notes or time to look up an answer. If you do not know an answer that does not mean you fail this portion of the test. We want to know you can handle yourself when someone asks you something you might not know. The over-arching concern here is that you will not mislead or misinform someone just to give them an answer.

All participants receive a printed copy of the Alexander Method of SMR Advanced Master Trainer manual (Written instructions with full-color pictures and anatomical illustrations in a 515-page workbook) and complimentary full access to our online education website.

Successful completion of this course entitles the participant to certify students in Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 Alexander Method of SMR Certifications as well as entitles the gym or franchise to advertise classes, workshops, and certifications with “Alexander Method of SMR” in the name or description.