RACE Rx Academy Certificate Courses
Welcome to RACE Rx Academy of Exercise Sciences education division! It is our mission to provide unique, innovative, and useful continuing education to exercise and fitness professionals. We offer a variety of continuing education courses, available for continuing education credits with some of the leading fitness organizations, containing information gathered from both scientific sources and professional experience. Our courses are designed to provide evidence-based information in an applied and useful way. Courses begin each month. SEE ALL OF OUR COURES AND BEGIN THE REGISTRATION PROCESS BY EMAILING US AT registration@racerxacademy.org.
Sample Courses: See an entire list of courses at www.racerxacademy.org
CSCS Preparation Course-
This course is designed to assist fitness professionals in preparing for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification exam.Vibration Exercise-
This course is designed to introduce exercise professionals to the concepts, methodologies, and programming details of vibration as a form of exercise. The course covers a variety of physiological mechanisms connected to vibration as an exercise stimulus, reviews published research examining the safety and effectiveness of vibration, and correct applications of this stimulus to a variety of exercise populations..Youth Exercise-
This course covers the physiological aspects of exercise among youth including exercise readiness, age-appropriate exercise selection and progression, safety, and exercise programming. Exercise professionals will develop the knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively promote physical fitness among young exercisers.FreeMotion Fitness Trainer-
This is the first course in the FreeMotion Fitness series. This course introduces students to the FreeMotion modalities of cable-based resistance, cardiovascular, and vibration exercise.FreeMotion Master Trainer-
This is the second course in the FreeMotion Fitness series. Students must complete the FreeMotion Fitness Trainer course prior to enrolling in this course. This course presents the advanced training concept of MC2, combining the FreeMotion modalities for a muscular, cardiovascular, and caloric workout.FreeMotion Premier Trainer-
This is the third of the FreeMotion Fitness series courses and may only be completed following the successful completion of the first two series courses. This course is designed to expand the trainers’ knowledge of exercise science principles while enhancing his/her ability to apply those principles in the field. Exercise physiology and biomechanics topics are presented in an applied format to enhance the trainers’ ability to design optimal exercise programs and foster optimal fitness development.Firefighter Fitness-
This course is designed to provide firefighters, and exercise professionals working with the fire service, with knowledge and strategies for enhancing fitness, job performance, health, and safety among first responders.Metabolic Training-
This course covers the concepts of energy production and utilization by the body during exercise and presents advanced strategies for prescribing effective and efficient energy-system specific training programs.Sport-Specific Training Courses-
These courses present specific training strategies and methodologies for a variety of different sports.
RACE Rx Academy Instructors:
Matt Rhea, PhD, CSCS*D Director, RACE Rx Academy
Dr. Rhea completed a PhD at Arizona State University focusing his research on exercise prescription and sports/occupational performance. He has completed over 50 studies on a variety of exercise and sport science topics. He has presented at national and international conferences, including at the National Strength and Conditioning Association conferences, the International Olympic Committee's World Congress on Sport Sciences, and the International Conference on Strength Training. He was awarded the Outstanding Young Investigator award by the NSCA in 2008. His research has been highlighted in Men’s Health, Muscle Media, Athletic Management, PFP Magazine, Shape, and Flex Magazine. Dr. Rhea has worked with many leading exercise and sport science organizations including the Phoenix Suns, Athletes Performance, San Francisco Giants, Arizona State University football, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, National Academy of Sports Medicine, and Phoenix Fire Department. He is on the editorial staff for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Strength and Conditioning Journal, and the NSCA Performance Training Journal. He also serves as an Associate Professor in the Human Movement online Master’s degree program at A.T. Still University.Jeff Blair, MS, JD
Mr. Blair currently serves as an adjunct faculty for A.T. Still University and a Functional Training Expert for a University of North Carolina Sports Medicine/National Academy of Sports Medicine research analysis project. He works in Los Angeles as an athletic performance specialist. His undergraduate degree is from Centre College of Kentucky and he earned a Master of Science degree in Human Movement from A.T. Still University. His academic interests include strength and power production, football and exercise regulatory and legal issues.Derek Bunker, MS, CSCS
Mr. Bunker completed a master’s degree in Human Movement at A.T. Still University before joining their faculty. A former college baseball player, he continues to examine injury risks and prevention strategies for baseball players. He presented findings regarding shoulder injuries at the 2008 NSCA sport-specific conference and at the national conference. He also has interests in sports performance enhancement and has consulted athletes and performance coaches in golf, baseball, and basketball.Danielle Green, MS, CSCS
Ms. Lavigne currently obtains a masters degree in Human Movement from ATSU. She has earned a CSCS certification through the NSCA and she works in the community college setting as a fitness instructor and strength & conditioning coach.
Tracy Hultgren, MS
Mr. Hultgren earned his Bachelor’s degree in acting from the Goodman School of Drama, DePaul University and Master of Science in Human Movement from A.T. Still University. He holds an International Diploma and Teaching Certificate in Speed, Agility and Quickness/Exercise Studies from SAQ International and was the first SAQ Advanced Trainer to be licensed and certified in the United States. In addition, he holds certifications through U.S. Soccer, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, and the American Youth Soccer Organization. He is the owner of Advanced Fitness Training, a youth-centric fitness and sports training company that focuses primarily on helping children and youth athletes develop fundamental movement skills that can be integrated into sports and fitness activities.Joe Kenn, MS, CSCS*D
Nineteen-year coaching veteran Joe Kenn was named the strength and conditioning coach at the University of Louisville on January 4, 2008 after serving seven seasons at Arizona State University, including five as the head coach of ASU's Sports Performance program. A member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and American Football Coaches Association, Kenn was named the College Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year in 2002 and has been a finalist for the award four times during his career. He also earned conference recognition in 1998 (Big West Conference) and again in 2000 (Mountain West Conference). Kenn earned his Bachelor of Science degree in health and sports science from Wake Forest in 1988 and his strength and conditioning specialist certification in 1990. He then earned his Master of Arts degree in curriculum and instruction from Boise State in 1993. As a football player at Wake Forest, Kenn was a two-year letterman, named a NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete award winner as well as Wake Forest's Weightlifter of the Year and the Bill George Award as Linemen of the Year.Shannan Lynch, MS, CSCS, HFS
Shannan completed a Bachelor's degree at Penn State University and a Master of Science in Human Movement at A.T. Still University. She has worked for many years in the fitness industry, now serving as the Health and Fitness Program Manager for Aquila Health and Fitness Solutions where she oversees and directs the day-to-day operations for several L.A. Metropolitan corporate health clubs.
Pedro Marin, PhD
Dr. Marin completed a PhD at the European University of Madrid in Exercise Science. He has completed numerous studies in the area of sports performance enhancement, injury prevention, and overall fitness development. In Spain, Dr. Marin teaches at the European University Miguel de Cervantes and continues his work in physical therapy and rehabilitation as well as consulting major occupational and fitness companies.
Drew Massey, MS, CPT
Mr. Massey received his Bachelors degree from Bethel College in Kinesiology and his Masters from California University in Pennsylvania in Exercise Science, with a specialty in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention. He is currently a District Wellness Director for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee, as well a Faculty for the YMCA of the USA. He also serves as a Master Trainer for FreeMotion Fitness. He holds certifications from the NSCA as a CPT, NASM as a Performance Enhancement Specialist, and USA Weightlifting as a Sport Performance Coach.