The Poliquin International Certification Program was first designed to internationally recognize strength coaches who demonstrate the knowledge and skills to effectively train athletes worldwide.
P.I.C.P now takes distinction in giving strength coaches and personal trainers the highest quality of education. The program provides our coaches and trainers with unsurpassed skills in teaching methodology, client assessments and program design.
It is the mission of the Poliquin International Certification Program to globally foster and educate our strength coaches and personal trainers. Providing them with superior education and practical application, in turn will raise the level of sport performance and healthy lifestyle ideas. Poliquin Performance was founded on this philosophy and continues to be our driving force to help us remain the world leader in strength and conditioning education.
The certifications range from Regional to International levels.
Regional and National Competition
Levels 1 to 3 are designed for strength coaches who work with developing athletes going from regional level to national level. Each one of these levels has a theory, technical and practical component. There is a diploma issued when each Level is fully completed.
International Competition
Levels 4 to 5 are for well-established strength coaches interested in coaching at the International or the professional sports level. They are geared for highly qualified strength coaches. By the end of level 5, the strength coach has completed 12 tasks. The P.I.C.P. is the only certification program that requires strength coaches to produce results in the athletic realm to fully qualify.
Program Overview
PICP Level 1: Regional Coach
Upper Body Structural Balance
At the conclusion of the P.I.C.P. Level 1 Course, coaches and trainers will:
- Understand all Theory 1 Principles
- Understand the concept of Structural Balance
- Be able to perform the Upper Body Structural Balance Assessment
- Understand Upper Body Exercise Progressions and Variations
- Be able to differentiate strength programs and have an introduction to Program Design
- Have an introduction to stretching techniques
THEORY
The Theory component is the Level 1 Theory Manual. In the Theory 1 Manual, coaches and trainers will learn to differentiate strength qualities and know the scientific basis of the following training loading parameters: Manipulation of Reps, Manipulation of Sets, Rest Intervals and Science of Tempo.
Upon completion of the Theory 1 Manual, the Theory 1 Exam (50-question, Multiple Choice) will need to be submitted. The passing grade is 92% and must be passed before attending the course.
TECHNICAL
The Technical component consists of an in-class lecture/presentation based on designing effective strength programs. By the end of the course, a written exam will be given. The passing grade is 92%.
PRACTICAL
To complete the Practical component, the coach or trainer will administer an Upper Body Structural Balance Assessment. Grades will be based on a Pass/Fail System.
View PICP Level 1 Course Outline
PICP Level 2: State/Provincial Coach
Lower Body Structural Balance
At the conclusion of the course, coaches and trainers will:
- Understand all Theory 2 Principles
- Understand the concept of Structural Balance
- Be able to perform the Lower Body Structural Balance Assessment
- Understand important Lower Body Exercise Progressions
- Have an introduction to Short Term Periodization
- Have an introduction to Rehabilitation Principles
THEORY
The Theory component is the Level 2 Theory Manual. In the Theory 2 Manual, coaches and trainers will learn Principles of Safe and Effective Training, Exercise Selection, Number of Exercises, Rate of Exercise Exchange, Exercise Order, and Training Frequency.
Upon completion of the Theory 2 Manual, the Theory 2 Exam (50-question, Multiple Choice) will need to be submitted. The passing grade is 92% and must be passed before attending the course.
TECHNICAL
The Technical component consists of an in-class lecture/presentation. The technical exam is designing a lower body program with a given case study. Grades will be based on a Pass/Fail System.
PRACTICAL
To complete the Practical component, the coach or trainer will administer a Lower Body Structural Balance Assessment. Grades will be based on a Pass/Fail System.
View PICP Level 2 Course Outline
PICP Level 3: National Coach
9 Tasks (7 of 9 Tasks must be completed to fulfill PICP Level 3 Requirements)
At the conclusion of the course, coaches and trainers will:
- Understand Principles of Nutrition
- Know how to design effective Nutritional Plans
- Understand factors influencing Energy System Prescription
- Understand Principles of Energy Systems
- Know how to help Prevent and Rehabilitate Upper and Lower Body Injuries
- Understand Supplementation for effective Training and Athletic Performance
- Understand Exercises and Variations for Applied Functional Strength
- Know how to design an effective Short-Term Periodization program
- Understand the fundamentals of Olympic Lifting
- Understand new techniques for instant muscle strengthening
Click here for P.I.C.P. Level 3 Tasks
THEORY
The Theory component is the Nutrition Manual. In the Nutrition Manual, coaches and trainers will learn the principles of Macronutrients, Calories, Hormones, Diet Programs and Medication and Supplements
Upon completion of the Nutrition Manual, the Nutrition Exam (72-question, Multiple Choice) will need to be submitted. The passing grade is 92% and must be passed before attending the course.
TECHNICAL
The technical component consists of 14 gym-hours and 14 hours of in-class lecture throughout the duration of the course.
PRACTICAL
The practical component is designed to provide coaches with feedback on their effectiveness when coaching in the weight room.
At this level, there is a specific criterion the PICP will need to grant you in this component. You will have to prove that you have at least one athlete who followed your program and has participated in a national championship and finished at a performance level representing 90% of the average of the first 3 competitors. For example, if the average throw is 20 meters, the athlete will need to throw 18 meters.
Click on the
Registration Form to reserve your spot in a P.I.C.P Level 3 Course!
PICP Level 4:
6 Tasks
At the conclusion of the course, coaches and trainers will:
- Understand Principles of Long Term Periodization
- Know Training Recovery Methods
- Learn How to Increase Your Revenue
- Know Advanced Strength Training Techniques
- Learn Stretching Techniques
- Understand the Fundamentals of Plyometrics and Speed Progressions
Click here for P.I.C.P. Level 4 Tasks
P.I.C.P. Level 4 represents one of the final steps of the PICP for coaches and is designed for those working with high performance athletes and for those interested in pursuing a successful career in coaching. Level 4 consists of Six Tasks. Coaches will learn new tools that assist in the training of national caliber athletes. They need to successfully complete the tasks
Only active coaches qualify for this level. You need to complete the six tasks and have two of the 5 criteria to obtain the ICC qualification:
- Participate officially as a coach or an athlete at the Olympic Games
- Participate officially as a coach or an athlete at the World Championships
- Participate officially as a coach on the World Cup circuit
- Coach an athlete to the Senior World Championships
- Coach an athlete to the Olympic Games
- Coach an athlete on the World Cup circuit
Click on the
Registration Form to reserve your spot in a P.I.C.P Level 4 Course!
PICP Level 5: Master Strength Coach
The highest goal in the Poliquin International Certification Program is to reach the International Master Course Conductor (IMCC) level. This level falls under jurisdiction of the Poliquin Strength Institute with the collaboration of the National Sport Governing Organization (NSGO). The identification of an IMCC needs the approval of both organizations.
This level is competency-based according to the coach’s experience and his form of education. The coaches who desire this level of certification have to submit their curriculum to the Poliquin Strength Institute. All curriculums are based on the achievement of the candidate.
Only active coaches can qualify for this level. You need to meet four of the seven following criteria to obtain the IMCC qualification:
- Train a medalist at the Olympic Games
- Train a medalist at the Senior World Championships
- Participate officially as a coach or athlete at the Olympic Games or World Championships
- Train a World Record Holder in a recognized discipline
- Train an athlete who wins a distinguished award in the professional league: i.e. Norris (NHL), Cy Young (MLB)
- Develop course material for the PICP
- Work as a National Coach for 5 years
* Note: World Championships are for recognized disciplines where coaching is a factor: i.e. track and field, alpine skiing, volleyball, etc... Examples of sports not recognized are: ice dancing, speed skiing.
View PICP Level 5 Course Outline