FULL CURRICULUM

Everything you need to pass the ACSM-EP

Five courses. Four exam domains. One integrated preparation system. From foundational physiology to advanced clinical decision-making — structured in the order that builds real competence.

I · Assessment II · Prescription III · Counseling IV · Legal & Pro V · Integration
DOMAIN I

Health & Fitness Assessment

33% of the ACSM-EP Exam

Master the screening, testing, and interpretation decisions that form the foundation of exercise physiology practice. From pre-participation clearance to cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal assessment.

20
Engrams
17
Lessons
3
QDD Batteries
12–18h
Duration
Guided Lessons
L01Oxygen Transport & Delivery Fundamentals
L02VO₂ Kinetics: From Rest to Steady State
L03Ventilatory Control & Gas Exchange Basics
L04Lactate Physiology & Threshold Concepts
L05Cardiac Output, Stroke Volume & HR Responses
L06METs, Energy Systems & Substrate Utilization
L07Submaximal Testing Principles & Assumptions
L08HR & BP Physiology for Testing
L09RPE: Physiology & Practical Application
L10ECG Basics for the Exercise Physiologist
L11Sensitivity, Specificity & Predictive Value
L12Field Walking Tests: Protocols & Norms
L13Muscle Fiber Types & Adaptations
L14Strength vs Endurance vs Power: Concepts
L15DOMS, Recovery & Adaptation
L16Flexibility & ROM: Physiological Basis
L17Biomechanical Principles for Exercise
Decision Engrams
#1
Preparticipation Screening & Clearance Logic
FLOW
#2
Red Flags at Rest vs During Exercise
ENG-B
#3
Medication Effects on Testing Interpretation
SPOT
#4
Risk Stratification Application
ENG-I
#5
VO₂max Testing Interpretation
ENG-I
#6
Submaximal Aerobic Test Interpretation
ENG-B
#7
Ventilatory Thresholds Interpretation
ENG-I
#8
Blood Pressure Response to Exercise
SPOT
#9
Abnormal HR Response
ENG-I
#10
Test Termination Criteria
FLOW
#11
ECG Abnormalities: Interpret vs Refer
ENG-B
#12
Gas Exchange Anomalies
ENG-A
#13
Diagnostic Value of Exercise Testing
LES+QDD
#14
Field Walking Tests Interpretation (6MWT)
ENG-B
#15
Strength Testing: 1RM vs Estimates
COMP
#16
Muscular Endurance Test Interpretation
ENG-B
#17
Flexibility Assessment Interpretation
ENG-B
#18
Balance & Neuromotor Test Interpretation
ENG-B
#19
Body Composition Method Selection
COMP
#20
Body Fat Distribution & Health Risk
ENG-B
Prerequisites

None — this is the recommended starting point. The foundational lessons build the physiology knowledge needed for the Engrams.

DOMAIN II

Exercise Prescription & Programming

40% of the ACSM-EP Exam

The largest exam domain. Prescribe exercise across the FITT framework, manage progression and regression, and adapt programs for healthy populations, clinical conditions, and environmental constraints.

31
Engrams
13
Lessons
1
QDD Battery
15–22h
Duration
Guided Lessons
L18Energy Balance & Weight Management
L19Hydration & Thermoregulation
L20Common Medications & Exercise Effects
L21Beta-Blockers, Antihypertensives & Testing
L22Psychotropic Medications & Exercise Response
L23Pathophysiology of Common CV Conditions
L24Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Conditions
L25Pathophysiology of Metabolic Conditions
L26Basics of Neurologic Conditions & Exercise
L27Physiological Changes in Pregnancy & Exercise
L28Age-Related Physiological Changes
L29Sex Differences in Exercise Physiology
L30Transgender & Gender Diverse: Considerations
Decision Engrams
#21
FITT Principle Decision Logic
FLOW
#22
Aerobic Intensity Prescription (HRR vs VO₂R vs RPE)
COMP
#23
Resistance Training Prescription
ENG-I
#24
Concurrent Training Conflicts
SPOT
#25
Progression vs Regression Decisions
ENG-I
#26
Overreaching vs Overtraining Recognition
SPOT
#27
Neuromotor Exercise Prescription
ENG-B
#28
Sex Difference Considerations in Rx
LES+QDD
#29
Exercise Rx Across the Lifespan
CASE
#30
Environmental Constraints: Heat
ENG-I
#31
Environmental Constraints: Cold
ENG-B
#32
Environmental Constraints: Altitude
ENG-I
#33
Low Back Pain: Testing + Prescription
ENG-I
#34
Transgender & Gender Diverse Individuals
LES
#35
Exercise Rx with Coronary Heart Disease
ENG-A
#36
Cardiac Rehab Decision Logic
FLOW
#37
Chronic Heart Failure Prescription
ENG-I
#38
Peripheral Arterial Disease (Claudication)
ENG-I
#39
Stroke — Return to Exercise
ENG-I
#40
Asthma — Exercise Prescription
ENG-B
#41
COPD — Exercise Prescription
ENG-I
#42
Diabetes — Exercise Prescription
ENG-A
#43
Hypertension — Exercise Rx & Monitoring
ENG-I
#44
Obesity — Exercise Prescription
ENG-I
#45
Metabolic Syndrome — Rx Specifics
COMP
#46
Post-Bariatric Surgery Considerations
ENG-B
#47
Cancer — Evaluation + Prescription
ENG-I
#48
Osteoporosis — Safe Exercise Decisions
SPOT
#49
Kidney Disease — Rx Under Constraints
ENG-B
#50
Anxiety & Depression — Exercise Rx
ENG-B
#51
Neurodegenerative Diseases — Adaptation
COMP
Prerequisites

Course 1 (Health & Fitness Assessment) recommended. Many Engrams build on the testing and interpretation skills from Domain I.

DOMAIN III

Exercise Counseling & Behavioral Strategies

20% of the ACSM-EP Exam

The human side of exercise physiology. Behavior change models, motivational interviewing, adherence strategies, and the critical skill of knowing when to refer.

5
Engrams
3
Lessons
1
QDD Battery
4–6h
Duration
Guided Lessons
L31Behavior Change Models Overview
L32Motivational Interviewing: Principles & Skills
L33Barriers to Adherence & Relapse Prevention
Decision Engrams
#52
Behavior Change Readiness Assessment (TTM)
FLOW
#53
Motivational Interviewing Decision Logic
ENG-I
#54
Adherence Failure Analysis
SPOT
#55
When to Refer (Mental Health / Nutrition)
ENG-B
#56
Client-Centered Conversations
LES+QDD
Prerequisites

None required, but some Engrams reference clinical conditions from Course 2. Can be taken in parallel with Courses 1–2.

DOMAIN IV

Legal, Management & Professional

7% of the ACSM-EP Exam

The smallest domain by weight — but the one where a single wrong answer can end a career. Emergency response, scope of practice, documentation, and the legal framework every EP must operate within.

4
Engrams
2
Lessons
3–4h
Duration
Guided Lessons
L34Emergency Action Plans: Components & Procedures
L35Legal Foundations for the EP
Decision Engrams
#57
Emergency Action Decision Making
FLOW
#58
Acute Adverse Event Response
ENG-I
#59
Legal & Ethical Boundary Decisions
SPOT
#60
Documentation & Reporting Decisions
ENG-B
Prerequisites

None required. Often recommended early — emergency procedures and scope of practice apply to all other domains.

TRANSVERSAL

Integration & Exam Prep

Cross-Domain Integration

Where everything comes together. Multi-domain case studies, advanced masterclasses, a complete reference library, and a full-length mock exam simulating the real ACSM-EP experience.

5
Case Studies
12
Masterclasses
1
Mock Exam (125 Q)
16–22h
Duration
Integrated Case Studies
CS01
The Cardiac Rehab Patient
Integrated Case Study
CS02
The Diabetic Runner
Integrated Case Study
CS03
The Deconditioned Older Adult
Integrated Case Study
CS04
The Anxious New Client
Integrated Case Study
CS05
Emergency in the Gym
Integrated Case Study
Advanced Masterclasses
M01
Metabolic Equations Mastery
Masterclass
M02
VO₂ Kinetics: Advanced Interpretation
Masterclass
M03
Load Progression Logic
Masterclass
M04
Concurrent Training Conflicts: Advanced
Masterclass
M05
Program Design Under Constraints
Masterclass
M06
Interpreting Noisy Physiological Data
Masterclass
M07
Clinical Myths & Traps
Masterclass
M08
Medication-Exercise Interactions: Complex Cases
Masterclass
M09
Multi-Morbidity Programming
Masterclass
M10
The Neurologic Patient: Exercise as Medicine
Masterclass
M11
The ACSM Screening Algorithm: Deep Dive
Masterclass
M12
ECG Interpretation for the EP
Masterclass
Prerequisites

Courses 1–4 recommended before starting. This is the final preparation phase before the exam.

60
Decision Engrams
35
Guided Lessons
12
Masterclasses
5
Case Studies
50–80h
Total Study Time

All five courses. One price.

Lifetime access to the complete curriculum — including all future content and updates.

Start Your Prep — $99 →
ENGRAM KINETICS
Train the decisions. Not just the content.
© 2026 Engram Kinetics. All rights reserved.
Created with