CPT NASM Certified Personal Trainer Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

NASM defines relative flexibility as the phenomenon where the kinetic chain seeks the path of least resistance during movement. This occurs when one joint or muscle is restricted, causing movement to occur at an alternative joint that has more mobility, often leading to compensations. The CPT7 guide explains that this can result from muscle imbalances, poor flexibility, or faulty movement patterns, and it often appears in functional movement assessments as compensatory motions.

When instructing side lunges, NASM emphasizes using specific, safety-focused cues to maintain proper posture and joint alignment. The CPT7 Study Guide notes that spinal alignment should be maintained in a neutral position during all exercises to prevent excessive shear or compressive forces on the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.

For side lunges, the neutral spine cue ensures that the client maintains proper core engagement and avoids lumbar rounding or hyperextension, which can cause undue stress on the back. While “Start by standing with your feet together” (Option B) is an accurate setup detail, it’s more of a positional cue rather than an ongoing form-maintenance cue. “Land with your foot pointed in the direction you are stepping” (Option C) could help in some multi-planar movements, but for lateral lunges, the lead foot should typically remain pointed forward to emphasize frontal-plane loading. “Lunge as far as possible” (Option A) risks compromising alignment and safety. Thus, the most appropriate auditory cue is “Keep your spine neutral.”

The NASM CPT7 Study Guide specifies that training for muscular hypertrophy—the increase in the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers—requires moderate to heavy loads with a training intensity between 75% and 85% of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM). This loading range typically corresponds to about 6–12 repetitions per set, which has been shown in research and practice to optimize mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage—three key factors in hypertrophic adaptations.

Lower intensities (50%–70% of 1RM) are generally used for muscular endurance, while very light loads (30%–45% of 1RM) are employed in certain power or speed-strength training contexts for specific populations. Extremely high intensities (90%–100% of 1RM) are targeted toward maximal strength development, not hypertrophy.

Hypertrophy training within the OPT model often takes place in Phase 3: Muscular Development Training and uses moderate tempo, relatively short rest periods (0–60 seconds), and multiple sets to increase total training volume—critical for stimulating muscle growth. Therefore, for the specific goal of increasing muscle fiber size, 75%–85% of 1RM is the most appropriate choice.