An exercise physiologist uses exercise as medicine: you screen people, test their fitness, write safe individualized programs, and track results. Many work in cardiac and pulmonary rehab, hospital wellness, or clinics. You'll build in three stages: the science (anatomy, physiology, how the body responds to exercise), the job skills (testing, EKG basics, prescription, communication), then clinical specialization. Most jobs want a bachelor's degree in exercise science plus CPR/AED certification, and clinical roles prefer the ACSM-EP or ACSM-CEP credential, so we plan for those. You can do this,
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Every stage from beginner to expert, with lessons, practice drills, projects, interview questions and free resources. Free with a Rolearch account.
Stage 1 of 3 · about 12 weeks
Understand how the body works and responds to exercise, and be able to explain it in plain words.
Anatomy and physiology
Every program you write rests on knowing which muscles, joints, and organ systems you are loading and how they adapt.
Exercise physiology basics
You need to know why heart rate, VO2, lactate, and blood pressure change with effort, so you can spot normal versus worrying responses.
Basic nutrition and behavior change
Clients succeed when habits stick. Knowing motivation basics helps you coach, not just instruct.
Physical activity guidelines
These are the standard dose of exercise you prescribe from and compare your clients to.
Then 2 more stages (about 48 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 6 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.