The Advanced MES Manual, whether you choose the hard copy or digital edition, is the ultimate resource for medical exercise professionals (MedExPROs). This manual offers a comprehensive and in-depth look at various aspects of medical exercise training (MET), making it an indispensable tool for any MedXPRO seeking to elevate their practice and deliver exceptional client care.

What Makes the AMES Manual Unique?

• Constantly Updated: Unlike static resources, the digital version of the AMES Manual is periodically updated with cutting-edge information, techniques, and best practices in MET.
• Multimedia Resources: Dive deeper into complex topics with video demonstrations and audio resources available through the MES Network, accessible with your eManual purchase.
• Standard Setting: This manual works towards establishing professional standards and guidelines for medical exercise professionals worldwide, raising the credibility of the profession.

Key Areas Covered:

The AMES Manual is a...

Medical Exercise Training is the new frontier for the fitness industry. For the fitness professional ready to jump into managing medical conditions using exercise, here is a path medical exercise training for the newbie. These steps are based on 30 years of educating and certifying fitness professionals and 40 years as a physical therapy. 

The healthcare and fitness industries are increasingly recognizing the role Medical Exercise Training (MET) plays in supporting clients with medical conditions. For fitness professionals looking to specialize in this transformative field, building a bridge between healthcare and fitness requires a blend of education, practice management, and collaboration with medical professionals. Here are the best steps to evolve your practice and become a trusted medical exercise professional.

1. Obtain the Proper Certification and Education

To establish credibility and build a strong foundation, prioritize obtaining certifications recognized in the...

Take Your MET Expertise to the Next Level with the AMES eManual!

Are you a fitness professional passionate about helping clients with medical conditions achieve their health and wellness goals? Do you dream of building a thriving, referral-based practice where you're recognized as a trusted member of the healthcare team? The AMES eManual is your key to unlocking that success! This isn't just another training manual; it's your comprehensive guide to becoming a highly sought-after Medical Exercise Specialist. Use the link at the bottom of the page to order your AMES eManual. 

Here's what makes the AMES Manual a game-changer:

• Master the 6-Point MET Client Management System: This revolutionary system empowers you to provide exceptional care for clients with medical conditions. Move beyond simply prescribing exercises and embrace a holistic approach focused on delivering tangible results! The 6-Point System guides you through each step of client management, from initial...

Medical Exercise Training offers the possibility of helping clients reach full functional capacity after surgery and physical therapy. This case study examines the application of Medical Exercise Training (MET). Mrs. Jacobs, a 79-year-old retired schoolteacher, highlights the complexity and potential of Medical Exercise Training (MET) in addressing post-surgical rehabilitation for clients with multiple co-morbidities. Four months post-left hip arthroplasty (LTHA), Mrs. Jacobs is fully weight-bearing and independent with stair climbing, signaling substantial recovery progress. She completed a course of physical therapy and is now discharged. However, she still relies on a walker for ambulation and experiences shortness of breath with prolonged standing and walking. Get the session guide here: AMES Manual Case Study

Adding to the complexity, Mrs. Jacobs has a history of congestive heart failure (CHF), essential hypertension, a past meniscus tear, and persistent knee pain. These...

Running a successful medical exercise (ME) practice takes more than just certifications and knowledge. It requires a set of habits that ensure you deliver top-quality services while building strong relationships with clients and medical professionals. In MET101 Tip 34, Dr. Mike shares eight key habits that all successful ME professionals possess:

• Define Your Role: Make it clear to medical professionals and clients what your role is in the healthcare continuum.
• Document and Report: Consistently document your findings and report to healthcare providers to ensure a professional approach.
• Follow Up: Regularly check in with clients and healthcare providers to monitor progress and address any concerns.
• Assess and Reassess: Continuously assess clients to ensure they are progressing towards their goals.

• Progress Clients: Set new goals and avoid stagnation. Once clients plateau, consider shifting them to personal training.
• Motivate Clients: Help clients push through discomfort while...

As a Medical Exercise Specialist (MES), you’re dedicated to helping clients achieve better health and function through exercise. But to build a truly successful practice, technical skills alone aren’t enough. One of the most critical components of your success is effective marketing. In a competitive industry, marketing helps you reach the clients who need your services most, communicate your unique expertise, and establish a reputation that attracts referrals from healthcare providers. When done right, marketing creates a solid foundation for long-term growth and success.

1. Attracting Your Ideal Clients

The clients who will benefit most from medical exercise services may not know you exist—or even know what a Medical Exercise Specialist does! Marketing bridges this gap by raising awareness about your specialized services. Whether through social media, a website, or local outreach, marketing helps you communicate who you are, what you offer, and how you can...

In the field of medical exercise, it’s tempting to think that offering a wide range of services to as many clients as possible will ensure success. Many fitness professionals believe that being a “generalist” increases their appeal and attracts more clients. But in reality, this approach often leads to scattered efforts, lackluster results, and a diluted reputation. Specialization, on the other hand, is what allows Medical Exercise Professionals (MedExPROs) to develop expertise, stand out in a crowded market, and produce real, positive outcomes for clients.

The Drawbacks of a Generalist Approach

When medical exercise professionals try to serve a broad range of clients with diverse needs, they face two primary challenges. First, they struggle to develop deep expertise in any one area. Without a specific focus, it’s difficult to fully understand the unique needs and challenges of clients with certain medical conditions, which can result in generic programs that...

Gait Analysis: A Cornerstone of Medical Exercise Training

This segment on gait analysis is drawn from the Advanced Medical Exercise Specialist Manual, a vital resource for fitness professionals aiming to offer specialized training to clients with medical conditions or injuries. By providing a structured approach to exercise prescription—including assessments, program design, and tailored progression strategies—the manual equips professionals to meet each client’s unique needs.

This post delves into the essential role of gait analysis as a skill for medical exercise specialists. Through systematic observation of a client’s walking patterns, gait analysis uncovers deviations that often reveal underlying musculoskeletal or neurological impairments. With this understanding, professionals can craft targeted exercise interventions that address specific limitations, fostering improved mobility, reducing discomfort, and enhancing clients’ overall quality of...

In the world of medical exercise training, it’s easy to believe that serving as many clients as possible is the path to success. After all, more clients should mean more growth, right? However, this mindset often leads to a lack of focus and, ultimately, mediocre outcomes. In the field of medical exercise, clarity is key to building a successful, impactful practice that not only serves clients effectively but also sets you apart in the crowded fitness and health markets.

The Problem with Being a Generalist

Without clarity, Medical Exercise Professionals (MedExPROs) can find themselves “all over the map,” offering services to any client who walks through the door, without a clear strategy. This approach often leads to inconsistent results and leaves both clients and practitioners feeling frustrated. Many clients who seek medical exercise training have complex health conditions, and they need a specialist who can offer tailored programs that meet their unique needs.

Medical exercise professionals play a crucial role in helping clients with medical conditions improve their health through exercise. However, before offering these services, it’s important to master certain key skills that ensure safe and effective programming. In MET101 Tip 33, Michael Jones highlights five essential skills that every medical exercise professional should develop:

• Blood Pressure Assessment: Learn to use a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope to manually check blood pressure rather than relying on electronic devices, which can be inaccurate.
• Heart Rate Measurement: Understand how to manually check a client’s radial or carotid pulse, as relying on heart rate monitors isn’t always feasible.
• Balance Assessment: Accurately evaluate a client’s balance, starting with their sitting balance, before progressing to more advanced standing balance assessments.
• Identifying Red Flags: Be aware of red flags in both new and existing clients. Referring clients...