Hi everyone! My name is Chris and I live in Long Island, New York. I am currently in an online graduate program at Logan University for Strength & Conditioning! I am so excited to meet new people who work in the same field and learn different ideas/perspectives on different topics

Hi everyone, my name’s Eric. I’m a licensed athletic trainer working at the high school level in El Paso, Texas. I took the CSCS exam a few years ago and came up short on both sections. I stepped away for a bit, but now I’m back with a renewed mindset and fully locked in on earning my CSCS. I’m passionate about helping people move better, get stronger, and live healthier lives. Excited to learn from this group, share the journey, and connect with like-minded professionals along the way. Fun fact: I laugh at my own jokes… because someone has to 😝 Training space: Homemade tuff shed gym 🏋️‍♂️

Glad you're here! This community is built for coaches, CSCS candidates, and performance-minded professionals who take their craft seriously. 👉 In your first post, tell us: - Who you are and what you do - Where you're at in your CSCS journey (or if you're already certified, what you're working on now) - A fun fact—either about your coaching, your training, or just something that makes you you - And post a photo of your training space—whether it’s a garage gym, college weight room, or the local fitness club. We want to see it! This is your space to level up, get real answers, and connect with others who are serious about performance—let’s raise the standard together.

Back in the summer of 2025, the CSCS exam got a major update. This may be old news to some of you but I thought I'd share it because it isn’t just a minor tweak. It’s a shift in what the NSCA believes entry-level competence actually looks like. The exam is now less about memorization and more about application.Fewer trivia questions. More “what would you do with this athlete, in this context?” This is GREAT for coaches with an exercise science background and plenty of in the trenches experience. It's difficult for the textbook jockeys who want the letters without the sweat, or the coaches without a formal exercise science background. Some big themes I’m seeing in the new DCO: - Nutrition questions dropped, but the remaining ones are more applied and performance-focused - Exercise technique matters, but program design and decision-making matter more - Coaches are expected to explain why they do things, not just spot bad lifts - Research literacy is now a real requirement - Mental health and athlete well-being are being addressed - Data collection is secondary to data implementation The bottom line is that the exam is moving away from “can you recall this?” and toward “can you actually coach?” Curious how others see it—does this better reflect the real job of a strength coach, or does it raise the bar too high for entry-level candidates? Here is a link to the CSCS handbook in case you want to read the DCO for yourself.

Hi everyone! My name is Katherine, and I am currently in the MS Kinesiology Program at PLNU. I’m also a pole vaulter on the PLNU Track and Field Team, and collegiate athletics is where I’ve gained the most firsthand experience in strength and conditioning. As far as career aspirations, I hope to coach youth track and field athletes and contribute to a high school strength and conditioning program. I am hoping to take (and pass, thanks to Dr. Goodin) the CSCS exam this May. I am super blessed to train at the coolest and prettiest track and weight room in the world, and I don't think anywhere will top this place.