Course Description
The Primal Fitness Expert Certification Course provides the most in-depth and up-to-date ancestral exercise and fitness education in the world. You will graduate with a deep understanding of how to incorporate more movement into your everyday life and why it matters, how to improve your posture, breathing and flexibility, how train effectively while avoiding injury and burnout, and so much more.
This course is comprised of 14 comprehensive chapters containing text, video, and audio, to accommodate all learning types. It is the first of three courses that make up the Primal Fitness Coach Certification path.
To learn more about the Primal Fitness Expert Certification or the more comprehensive Primal Fitness Coach Certification Course, including how to enroll, click here to book a call with our Admissions Director.
Course Instructors

Instructor
Brad Kearns

Co-Founder and Instructor
Mark Sisson

Instructor
Chloe Maleski
Course Curriculum
-
1
Welcome
-
Course Overview
-
Meet Your Faculty and Staff
-
-
2
Legal and Support
-
Legal: Important Matters
-
Disclaimer and Copyright Notice
-
Support
-
-
3
Announcements
-
Introduction
-
Announcements
-
Upcoming Webinars
-
-
4
Educational Resources
-
Introduction
-
Ebooks
-
Audiobooks
-
Archived Webinars
-
The Council of Holistic Health Educators
-
Peer and Faculty Support & Connection via Facebook
-
-
5
An Introduction to Primal Fitness
-
The “Primal” Approach to Fitness and a Healthy, Happy, Active Lifestyle
-
The Idea of a "Fitness Coach"
-
Walking the Talk
-
-
6
Chapter 1: Fitness For Health
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
The Critical Distinction Between Health and Fitness
-
HIIT and Steady-State Cardio: Rethinking Popular but Flawed Training Modalities
-
Play!
-
Aging Gracefully: Adaptations and Evolving Goals
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 1 Exam
-
-
7
Chapter 2: Everyday Movement
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Benefits of Increasing Everyday Movement
-
Walking: The Centerpiece of an Active Lifestyle
-
Formal Movement Practices
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 2 Exam
-
-
8
Chapter 3: Human Posture And Movement Fundamentals
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Spinal Fundamentals
-
Standing, Sitting, Lying, Bending, and Extending
-
Creating a Dynamic Workstation
-
Ancestral Resting Positions
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 3 Exam
-
-
9
Chapter 4: Breathing
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
How to Breathe Correctly
-
Tracking Progress with Breathing Tests
-
Exercises to Improve Breathing Competency
-
Advanced Breathing Techniques for Peak Performance
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 4 Exam
-
-
10
Chapter 5: Stretching, Mobility, Flexibility, Balance, and Injury Prevention
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Rationale, Benefits, and Contraindications Of Stretching
-
Static Stretching
-
Dynamic Stretching
-
Hip Flexor Stretching and Strengthening
-
The Circadian and "Whole Health" Benefits of a Morning Flexibility/Mobility/Balance Routine
-
Mobility, Flexibility, and Balance
-
Fascial Restructuring and Reawakening
-
Functional Movement Assessments and Corrective Exercises
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 5 Exam
-
-
11
Chapter 6: Cardiovascular Fitness and Endurance Training
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Fuel Substrate Utilization at Varying Exercise Intensities
-
Maximum Aerobic Function and the Aerobic Threshold
-
Monitoring Your Heart Rate During Exercise
-
Maximum Aerobic Function Test
-
Re-evaluating and Redefining Cardio
-
Jogging 2.0: Evolving from Steady-State Cardio to More Varied and Challenging Workouts
-
Cardio and Fat Loss Frustration
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 6 Exam
-
-
12
Chapter 7: Benefits, Principles, and Strategies for High-intensity Exercise
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Functional Muscle Mass: The Preeminent Fitness Objective
-
Healthspan and High-intensity Exercise
-
Optimal Workout Design, Rest and Recovery, and Work/Rest Ratios
-
Resistance Training Concepts and Fundamentals
-
Microworkouts
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 7 Exam
-
-
13
Chapter 8: Resistance Exercise – Deadlift And Squat
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
The Deadlift
-
The Squat
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 8 Exam
-
-
14
Chapter 9: Resistance Exercise – Free Weight, Bodyweight, Machine, And Kettlebell Exercises
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Popular Functional Fitness Resistance Exercises
-
Bodyweight Exercises - Upper Body
-
Bodyweight Exercises - Lower Body
-
Free Weight Exercises - Upper Body Pushing
-
Free Weight Exercises – Upper Body Pulling
-
Machine Exercises – Upper Body
-
Machine Exercises – Lower Body
-
Kettlebell Exercises
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 9 Exam
-
-
15
Chapter 10: Sprinting and Jumping
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Physiological Benefits of Sprinting and Jumping
-
Optimal Duration, Repetitions, and Recovery Intervals
-
Elements of an Effective Sprint Workout
-
Sprinting Technique
-
Suggested Sprint Workouts
-
Jumping: The Ultimate Explosive Exercise
-
Suggested Jumping Workouts
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 10 Exam
-
-
16
Chapter 11: Mindset and Peak Performance
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Understanding the Endorphin Response
-
The Central Governor Theory
-
The Central Cooling System
-
A Kinder, Gentler Approach to Peak Performance – The Secret Strategies of Elite Athletes
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 11 Exam
-
-
17
Chapter 12: Overreaching, Overtraining, and Burnout
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Overreaching: A Temporarily Adaptive State from Inappropriate Fight-or-Flight Stimulation
-
Overreaching Symptoms
-
How to Remedy Overreaching
-
Overtraining/Burnout Symptoms
-
Recovering from Overreaching/Overtraining
-
Journaling to Support Health and Fitness
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 12 Exam
-
-
18
Chapter 13: Rest, Recovery, Down Time, and Sleep
-
Quick Facts
-
Introduction
-
Optimizing Sleep Habits and Sleep Environment
-
Emphasizing Recovery in Training
-
Walking for Recovery
-
Hydration
-
Conducting a Recovery-based Workout
-
Rest, Down Time, and Disconnecting
-
Heart Rate Variability to Track Recovery
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 13 Exam
-
-
19
Chapter 14: Primal Fitness Programming
-
Introduction: The Primal Fitness Pyramid
-
Coaching Your Clients to Move Frequently
-
Designing a Strength Training Plan (Lift Heavy Things)
-
Programming Short, Infrequent, Explosive Efforts (Sprint)
-
Programming Recovery
-
Client-Led Programming: The Primal Fitness Coach Approach
-
Chapter Summary and References
-
Chapter 14 exam
-
-
20
FINAL EXAM
-
Primal Fitness Final Exam
-