Congratulations to the 2020 NSCA Award Winners!

Learn what it takes to become a strength and conditioning coach. Explore what strength coaches do, work environments, average salaries, and how to get started.

This award is a recognition given to NSCA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and effectiveness in Equity, Leadership, Empowerment, Visibility, Access, Training, and Excellence within Strength and Conditioning.

Colorado Springs, CO – The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is proud to announce that Coach Joel Raether has been selected as the NSCA’s Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year for 2020. Coach Raether becomes the sixth recipient of the award, which has been handed out since 2014. Award winners are selected by a volunteer committee, the NSCA’s Coaching Task Force, who determine the winner based on their contributions to the NSCA, their community, and the coaching profession.

On April 24, 2014, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) adopted a standard of certification for Division I strength and conditioning coaches. The article provides information and answers to frequently asked questions about the standard.

In this session from the 2023 NSCA Personal Trainers Virtual Conference, Quincy Johnson, Assistant Professor of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas, discusses how to develop an organized and systematic approach for testing, assessing, and setting realistic goals for personal training clients and how to develop an exercise programming framework that can be utilized to enhance fitness outcomes.

Erica Suter provides insights that help drive optimal performance in female athletes though research behind the menstrual cycle, the functions of female hormones, and application to the female athlete at the 2024 NSCA’s Coaches Conference.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has announced that it is working to elevate and advance the strength and conditioning profession by developing a quality assurance process that ensures all future professionals are capable and well-prepared. This process establishes a qualified workforce that has the professional knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to meet industry standards and be successful in the strength and conditioning industry. To achieve this, the NSCA is taking forward-thinking steps by modifying the requirements to attain the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certification. These requirements are targeted to take effect in the year 2030.

Colorado Springs, CO - NSCA National Awards will be handed out at the 39th Annual NSCA National Conference on Friday, July 8 in New Orleans, LA.