What Exercise Professional Education does

Exercise Professional Education (ExerciseProEd) is a private Columbus, Ohio-based continuing education company founded in 1991 by Greg Mack that provides specialized certification and training for exercise professionals. The company operates the Muscle System Specialist (MSS) program, a proprietary methodology built around the SENSATION-CONTROL-MATERIALS Decision Process Paradigm, Qualitative Manual Assessment of Motor Control (QMAMC), and the Mobility Profiling Method of pre-exercise physical assessment. These frameworks deliver a bio-motor configurationalism approach that distinguishes EPE's curriculum from mainstream fitness paradigms like the Fabric Paradigm and Functionalism.

Name

Exercise Professional Education

Legal name

Exercise Professional Education, LLC

Website

https://exerciseproed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Exercise Professional Education is a Columbus, Ohio-based continuing education company founded in 1991 that offers the proprietary Muscle System Specialist (MSS) certification program and related advanced courses to personal trainers, physical therapists, massage therapists, and athletic trainers across the U.S., Canada, and UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Education and Professional Certification for Exercise Professionals

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility) (EDAAAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Coaching & Lifestyle Coaching Education (EDAAAHAG), Corrective Exercise, Movement Screening & Biomechanics (HSADAIAM), Corrective Exercise & Posture Training (HSADAAAE)

Keywords

• Continuing education courses
• Personal trainer certification
• Muscle system assessment
• Motor control training
• Exercise rehabilitation education

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Certification Courses: One-time fees for comprehensive certification programs including the Muscle System Specialist Program ($4,000), live courses, and advanced specialty courses. Revenue generated from course enrollment fees, with cohort-based online delivery and in-person intensive formats.
2. Monthly Subscription - Exercise Professionals Club: $20/month subscription providing access to research reviews, video library, PDF downloads covering neuroscience, bio-materials, bio-motor control, pathology, physiology, anatomy, decision making, and special discounts on courses. Recurring monthly revenue with first month free using code Club100.
3. Certification Examinations: Fees for practical examination ($350), written examination ($150), and pre-examination study/review course ($45). Students must pass both written and practical exams to receive MSS certification.
4. Continuing Education Units (CEUs): CEU accreditation partnerships with ACE (10.8 CEUs for MSS program, 2.8 CEUs for Ethical Selling course) and NASM (1.9 CEUs for MSS program). Revenue derived from course fees that include CEU certification.
5. Course Hosting: Host facilities provide free tuition in exchange for hosting courses. Revenue indirectly generated through expanded geographic reach and new student enrollment opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Exercise Professional Education provides continuing education and certification training for exercise professionals, anchored by its proprietary Muscle System Specialist (MSS) program that teaches systematic motor-control assessment (QMAMC), exercise prescription, and the SENSATION-CONTROL-MATERIALS decision process. It sells online and live versions of the MSS course, advanced specialty courses, an Ethical Selling course, certification examinations, one-day CEU workshops, and a $20/month subscription community, all accredited by ACE, NASM, BOC, NSCA, Canfitpro, and NCBTMB.

Product overview

Exercise Professional Education operates as a course-based educational platform offering a unified curriculum centered on the Muscle System Specialist (MSS) certification program. The core product is the Muscle System Specialist Program, available both as an online cohort course ($4,000, 108 hours) and an in-person LIVE course, which provides comprehensive training in muscle assessment, motor control, and exercise prescription. The platform supplements the core program with five advanced graduate-level courses (Advanced Courses 1-5, each $750) covering specialized topics such as QMAMC interpretation, kinematic synergies, and breathing techniques. Ethics and business skills are addressed through separate Ethical Selling courses (online and live, $600 each, 2.8 ACE CEUs). A monthly subscription called the Exercise Professionals Club ($20/month) provides ongoing access to research reviews and video content. Certification requires passing both written ($150) and practical ($350) examinations, with optional pre-examination review ($45) and practical experience sessions (free with online course). All courses carry CEU approvals from ACE, NASM, BOC, NSCA, Canfitpro, and NCBTMB.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Muscle System Specialist (MSS): Core certification program and methodology for exercise professionals focusing on motor control assessment and exercise prescription
• Exercise Professionals Club
• Physicians Fitness

Products and services

• Muscle System Specialist Program - Online Course The foundational 108-hour online course delivered as a 20-week cohort covering the complete client relationship building process from initial contact through lifespan exercise programming, awarding 10.8 CEUs from ACE and 1.9 CEUs from NASM. Priced at $4,000 (or 5 installments of $800).
• Muscle System Specialist Course - LIVE! In-person intensive version of the foundational Muscle System Specialist course delivered over multiple weekend sessions, covering client intake, assessment, decision-making, and program planning. Held in Columbus, OH and other cities.
• Muscle System Specialist Advanced Course 1 - Executing and Interpreting The QMAMC Graduate-level course covering the philosophy and scientific basis for performing and interpreting the Qualitative Manual Assessment of Motor Control (QMAMC) across all major bodily configurations. Priced at $750.
• Muscle System Specialist Advanced Course 2 - Observing and Understanding Individual Motricity Graduate-level course exploring the relationship between subjective sensation reporting, bio-motor control, and bodily materials under various kinetic conditions. Priced at $750.
• Muscle System Specialist Advanced Course 3 - Philosophy and Methodologies: Review and New - Kinematic Synergies and Advanced Screen Procedures Advanced course exploring kinematic synergies, QMAMC applications, SARS, and new screening procedures including TMJ and Glossus. Priced at $750.
• Muscle System Specialist Advanced Course 5 - Muscles of the Head/Face and Advanced Breathing Techniques Graduate-level course exploring head and face muscle function's influence on bio-motor output and advanced breathing exercises. Priced at $750.
• Ethical Selling (Interviewing) for Exercise Professionals Course - ONLINE Self-paced online course on sales and interviewing methodology for exercise professionals, featuring 28 hours of video content and a complete workbook. Approved for 2.8 CEUs by ACE. Priced at $600.
• Ethical Selling (Interviewing) for Exercise Professionals Course - LIVE! Live 20-hour immersive version of the ethical selling course available for hosting at facilities. Priced at $600.
• Exercise Professionals Club Monthly subscription membership at $20/month providing access to research reviews, video library, PDF downloads on neuroscience, bio-materials, motor control, anatomy, and decision-making topics, plus special discounts on courses. Use code Club100 for first month free.
• Practical Experience for MSS Program Online Students Free one-day practical session for online course graduates to review assessment processes, perform SARS and QMAMCs, execute various screens, and practice contraction modes.
• Muscle System Specialist Certification - Practical Examination 3.5-hour practical examination covering consultation, assessment, analysis, decision-making, and field screens. Requires bringing two completed client case files. Priced at $350.
• Muscle System Specialist Certification - On Line Written Examination Online written examination with 1 hour 30 minute time limit, covering Weekend 1-4 content. Requires 70% passing score with three attempts allowed. Priced at $150.
• Muscle System Specialist Certification Pre-Examination Study/Review Course Four-module written and video review course covering the first four weekends of course content to prepare for the MSS certification exams. Priced at $45.
• One-Day Courses Various one-day ACE, NASM, CANFITPRO, and ATC-BOC approved CEU courses offering 8 CEUs each, available in cities across the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Includes topics such as Exercise and Pain: A New Perspective and Exercise and Physics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10.8 ACE CEUs and 1.9 NASM CEUs awarded for completing MSS certification program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Medical Fitness NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical Fitness Network is a registry of fitness and allied health professionals, offering community resources as well as exclusive discounts and free educational webinars. Partnership supports connection and promotional opportunities for exercise professionals.
• Muscle System ConsortiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization presenting research, literature, educational products, and consumer products aimed at increasing understanding of the human muscle system. Supports development of muscle system research and education.
• The Muscle ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner focused on muscle system understanding and professional development in the fitness industry.
• Striation 6 Exercise and Performance CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorToronto-based fitness facility where Director of Professional Development Lance White is employed. Provides MSS course facilitation and practical examination services in the Toronto area.
• Symmetry Exercise CliniccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNaples, FL-based clinic founded by Jason Weitzner, Co-founder of Symmetry Muscle Health. Provides MSS course facilitation and practical examination services.
• Curtis Clay TrainingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWoodinville, WA-based training facility owned by Curtis Van Wyck. Provides MSS course facilitation and practical examination services in the Pacific Northwest.
• Muscle Dynamics LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlendale, WI-based facility owned by Andrew Hoppert, LAT, ATC, CMSS, ACE-CPT. Provides MSS course facilitation and practical examination services in Wisconsin.
• LivFitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShelton, CT-based facility owned by Tim Livingston, CMSS, RTSm. Only recognized Muscle System Specialist in New England. Provides MSS course facilitation and practical examination services.
• Austin Muscle RestorationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustin, TX-based facility founded by Brandon O'Connor. Provides MSS course facilitation and practical examination services in Texas.
• Motion MechanixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCleveland, OH-based education company founded by Dominick Nusdeu. Director and Lead Instructor for NPTI Cleveland Campus. Provides MSS course facilitation in Ohio.
• Strength Thrive CollectiveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization supporting strength and conditioning professionals and fitness education.
• MyFitness ButlerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFitness industry partner providing promotional and educational resources for fitness professionals.
• IFR (Institute for Fitness and Research)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInstitute focused on fitness education and research, providing connection and promotional opportunities.
• ACE (American Council on Exercise)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved CEU provider. MSS program awards 10.8 CEUs, Ethical Selling course awards 2.8 CEUs. ACE-CPT, ACE-CMES certifications recognized.
• NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved CEU provider. MSS program awards 1.9 CEUs. NASM-certified professionals can earn CEUs through EPE courses.
• BOC (Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved CEU provider for athletic trainers. One-day courses offer 8 CEUs approved by ATC-BOC.
• NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved CEU provider for strength and conditioning specialists. CSCS certifications recognized.
• CanfitprocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved CEU provider for Canadian fitness professionals. One-day courses offer 8 CEUs approved by CANFITPRO.
• NCBTM (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved CEU provider for massage therapists and bodyworkers.
• Ohio Physical Therapy AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerApproved CEU provider for physical therapists in Ohio.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Council on Exercise (ACE): One of the largest US fitness certification organizations (ACE-CPT, ACE-CMES) and EPE's primary CEU accreditor. Directly comparable in serving certified exercise professionals with continuing education pathways and specialty certifications.
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA): Issues CSCS and other strength and conditioning certifications, providing CEU programming for trainers EPE directly targets. Comparable in scope, professional membership model, and target segments (athletic trainers, strength coaches).
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM): Major US personal trainer certification body issuing NASM-CPT credentials and CEU programming. Directly comparable to EPE as a fitness certification/CEU provider serving the same trainer population, with overlapping CEU recognition and curriculum product lines.
• International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA): Online-first personal trainer certification body with continuing education and specialty credentials. Comparable to EPE in offering self-paced certification with CEU-eligible advanced courses for the same trainer persona.
• CHEK Institute: Provides holistic corrective high-performance exercise coaching certification (CHEK Practitioner) with proprietary methodology. Comparable to EPE in offering premium, methodology-driven certification for trainers seeking specialization beyond mainstream certs.
• Gray Institute: Specialty continuing education provider focused on Applied Functional Science and movement assessment for fitness and rehab professionals. Directly comparable to EPE in serving trainers/PTs with proprietary movement-assessment methodologies priced at premium levels.
• Canfitpro: Canadian fitness certification and CEU provider serving the same trainer population EPE reaches through its Canadian facilitators. Comparable in operating as a multi-product certification and CEU body; EPE is also a Canfitpro-approved CEU provider.

Emerging players

• Dr. Joel Seedman / Athletic Anatomy: Smaller specialty education provider offering advanced training courses with proprietary methodologies in the corrective/motor control space. Comparable to EPE's niche but served by a different founder-led expert brand.
• Titleist Performance Institute (TPI): Specialty certification provider offering methodology-driven training (golf-focused fitness) and CEU credits to fitness professionals. Comparable to EPE in operating a premium, niche Certification funnel paired with specialty methodology.
• Stronger U: Subscription-based fitness education platform providing CEU-eligible content for trainers. Comparable to EPE's Exercise Professionals Club in offering low-cost recurring CEU content for the same trainer segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gtmack01maccom1
• Facebookfacebook.com/musclesystemspecialist
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exercise-professional-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Exercise Professional Education