Downloadable Session Guide
Structured lesson-by-lesson notes and reference materials that follow the MES training.
All The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Online Business
Original certification • Established 1994Medical Exercise Specialist (MES)
The original post-rehabilitation / medical exercise certification · Since 1994
Medical Exercise Specialist
Not simply a certificate to hang on the wall. MES is a comprehensive professional preparation pathway designed to help you develop the knowledge, practical skills, and professional reasoning to manage exercise programs for appropriate clients with medical conditions, communicate with medical providers, and build a successful practice.
Not just a certification. The beginning of your new profession.
Every lesson: downloadable Session Guide • exercise protocols/guidelines • quiz
No additional manual purchase required.
No additional manual purchase required.
Founded in 1994 · Designed for qualified fitness and allied-health professionals · Explore the curriculum · Compare enrollment options
1994First MES Certification 1994
50 + 4Core lessons + bonus lessons
60+Conditions addressed in training
The materials are part of your tuition
Everything you need to study is included.
Each MES lesson includes downloadable learning materials designed for study, application, and future reference. Your Session Guides and exercise protocols serve as your working reference library—you do not have to purchase a separate manual at an additional price.
INCLUDEDNo Extra
Manual Fee
Manual Fee
Medical Exercise Protocols
Downloadable exercise protocols and guidelines connecting the lesson concepts to practical exercise planning.
Lesson Quiz
Check your understanding and reinforce important concepts as you progress through the series.
Practical Application
Build the reasoning needed to assess function, select exercises, document progress, and communicate with providers.
These are not optional add-ons. They are part of the learning experience for enrolled MES students.
Explore the complete curriculum →The first post-rehabilitation / medical exercise education and certification program · 1994
The goal is competence.
Not another certificate on the wall.
Since 1994, METI has focused on developing professionals—not merely issuing certificates. The depth of the MES program is designed to build medical exercise knowledge, sound exercise-management decisions, credible communication with medical providers, and the foundations of a sustainable medical exercise practice.
01
Develop knowledge, skill & thinking
Learn applicable anatomy, pathology, exercise precautions, functional assessment, exercise planning, safe implementation, monitoring, and the reasoning behind your decisions.
02
Work effectively with medical providers
Use professional terminology, exercise-only scope boundaries, structured documentation, functional outcomes, and timely progress reports to support appropriate referral relationships.
03
Establish a successful practice
Learn the systems needed to organize client management, communicate value, build referrals, document results, and develop an ethical and sustainable medical exercise business.
The MES distinction: A detailed educational pathway for delivering responsible medical exercise services—not a license to diagnose or treat, and not a guarantee of referrals, or income.
Professional boundaries matter
Medical Exercise Specialists provide exercise and conditioning services—not medical diagnosis, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, or rehabilitation services reserved for licensed professionals. When new symptoms, red flags, or needs outside the exercise professional's scope emerge, refer clients back to an appropriate licensed provider.
Medical Exercise Specialist Training Series (MEST)
What you will learn
An extensive, detailed curriculum covering clinical-exercise knowledge, anatomy and pathology literacy, functional assessment, condition-specific exercise guidelines, exercise program design, documentation, provider communication, and practice growth—with downloadable learning materials and a quiz for each lesson.
Medical exercise principles & scope
Foundations, professional roles, contraindications, exercise program design, and the essential distinctions between exercise and licensed medical treatment.
Regional anatomy, pathology & applications
Shoulder; elbow, wrist and hand; cervical/lumbar spine; hip; knee; ankle and foot—with screening considerations, exercise guidelines and case examples.
Neurological, metabolic & systemic conditions
Condition-specific exercise considerations including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia.
Functional measures, records & referrals
Functional outcome measurement, case application, clinical communication, session documentation, referral development, and business systems.
Included with the MES lessons: video module, downloadable Session Guides, exercise protocols or guidelines, and lesson quizzes. No separate manual purchase is necessary.
View the detailed 50-lesson curriculum and four bonus lessons
- Medical Exercise Opportunities, Income and the Future
- Scope of Practice and Role of the MES and PRCS
- Medical Exercise Foundations — Part I
- Medical Exercise Foundations — Part II
- Six Keys to Medical Exercise Program Design
- Clinical Anatomy and Pathology of the Shoulder
- Shoulder Medical Exercise Protocols — Part I
- Shoulder Medical Exercise Protocols — Part II
- Medical Exercise Screening of the Shoulder
- Medical Exercise Case Studies of the Shoulder
- Medical Exercise Techniques for the Shoulder
- Clinical Anatomy and Pathology of the Elbow, Wrist and Hand
- Elbow, Wrist and Hand Exercise Protocols
- Medical Exercise Screening of the Elbow, Wrist and Hand
- Medical Exercise Techniques for the Elbow, Wrist and Hand
- Case Studies: Elbow, Wrist and Hand
- Clinical Anatomy and Pathology of the Lumbar Spine
- Lumbar and Cervical Spine Exercise Guidelines (includes supplemental spine lessons)
- Medical Exercise Screening of the Lumbar Spine
- Medical Exercise Techniques for the Lumbar Spine
- Medical Exercise Case Studies for the Lumbar Spine
- Clinical Anatomy and Pathology of the Hip
- Medical Exercise Protocols for the Hip
- Medical Exercise Screening for the Hip
- Medical Exercise Techniques for the Hip
- Medical Exercise Case Studies for the Hip
- Clinical Anatomy and Pathology of the Knee
- Medical Exercise Protocols for the Knee
- Medical Exercise Screening for the Knee
- Medical Exercise Techniques for the Knee
- Medical Exercise Case Studies for the Knee
- Clinical Anatomy and Pathology of the Ankle/Foot
- Medical Exercise Protocols for the Ankle/Foot
- Medical Exercise Techniques for the Ankle/Foot
- Medical Exercise Screening of the Foot/Ankle
- Medical Exercise Case Studies of the Foot/Ankle
- Medical Exercise Considerations for Diabetes
- Medical Exercise Considerations for Hypertension
- Medical Exercise Considerations for Stroke, MS and Parkinson's Disease
- Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Fibromyalgia
- Medical Communication, Report Writing and Terminology
- Musculoskeletal Screening
- Functional Assessment Scales
- Medical Exercise Skills Checklist
- Equipment, Staffing and Education
- Building a Successful Post-Rehabilitation Exercise Practice
- Marketing Your Medical Exercise Practice
- Medical Exercise Referrals, Fees and Reimbursement Literacy
- Multiple Streams of Medical Exercise Practice Income
- MES/PRCS Examination Review and Procedures
Four bonus lessons: MET Pre-Exercise Checklist · Post-Rehabilitation Exercise Techniques · PNF Techniques · Spinal Stabilization Assessment and Exercise Techniques.
Choose your learning format
One certification. Multiple ways to prepare.
Start with the MES online curriculum, then choose the level of structured instruction and practical support that meets your learning needs.
MES Online Training
Work through MES lessons with downloadable Session Guides, exercise protocols or guidelines, and quizzes. Your study materials are included—no separate manual is required.
Review online tuition →MES Study Group
Reinforce the online curriculum through 12 topic-based group sessions covering major anatomical regions, medical conditions, practical skills, and final-exam preparation.
Explore the Study Group →MES On-site Workshops
Apply the knowledge with practical exercises, case examples, and direct demonstration during METI workshop experiences.
View workshop information →12-session structured review
Study with the MES founder.
The Medical Exercise Specialist Study Group complements the MEST lessons with a guided review led by Michael K. Jones, PhD, PT. It is designed for professionals who want a learning schedule, discussion of clinical-exercise applications, and focused written/practical examination preparation.
View MES Study Group & schedule →See the linked page for registration options. Confirm current session dates with METI before enrolling.
- Medical Exercise Foundations
- Shoulder and upper-extremity applications
- Cervical and lumbar spine
- Hip, knee, ankle and foot
- Managing medical exercise considerations
- Practical skills, practice management and exam review
Your certification pathway
From enrollment to professional competence
The credential requires more than watching lessons. Progress is demonstrated through education, supervised exposure to clinical environments, and formal examination.
01 /
Meet an entry prerequisite
Qualify through an accepted fitness certification, related degree, relevant clinical experience, or recognized allied professional credential.
02 /
Complete MES preparation
Study the prescribed lessons and quizzes through the online training, Study Group or workshop pathway.
03 /
Complete clinical observation
Document 10 observation hours in an appropriate physical therapy, chiropractic, sports medicine, or rehabilitation environment before the exam.
04 /
Pass the MES final exam
Pass the written examination (80% minimum) and demonstrate competency in the practical case-study examination.
Who may apply?
Only one eligible prerequisite is required: a nationally recognized personal training credential; a degree in a health or fitness field; at least one year of relevant rehab/exercise technician work; or an accepted allied-health, Pilates, corrective exercise or massage credential. Certification holders must follow METI's current renewal requirements.
Begin your MES training
Choose your enrollment option
Select the full-payment or monthly-payment button below to go directly to the corresponding Kajabi checkout.
MES Training — Pay in Full
$995 USD
One-time payment
- Accelerated online study format
- Downloadable Session Guides, exercise protocols/guidelines and quizzes included
- No additional manual purchase required
- MES curriculum and examination preparation
- Follow the training pathway toward MES certification
- Optional Study Group support available separately
Opens the Kajabi full-payment checkout
MES Training — Payment Plan
$99 / month
10 scheduled payments · $990 total
- Lower initial monthly payment
- Downloadable Session Guides, exercise protocols/guidelines and quizzes included
- No additional manual purchase required
- Online MES training on the standard plan
- Learn the MES foundations and exercise applications
- Access and billing timing follow the checkout terms
Opens the Kajabi monthly-payment checkout
Questions answered
Medical Exercise Specialist FAQs
Do I need to purchase an additional MES manual?
No. The MES lessons include downloadable Session Guides, medical exercise protocols or exercise guidelines, lesson quizzes, and supporting materials. These materials provide a working reference library, so a separate manual purchase is not required to follow the training.
Is MES only about earning a certification?
No. The credential marks a professional milestone, but the program emphasizes the knowledge, practical skills, and professional reasoning necessary to manage appropriate medical exercise clients within an exercise-only scope, build communication and referral relationships with medical professionals, and organize a sustainable practice. Certification itself does not grant clinical licensure or guarantee business success.
What can an MES do after becoming certified?
An MES develops and monitors exercise-only conditioning programs for appropriate clients with medical conditions, using functional assessment, relevant precautions, exercise progression, documentation, and clear communication with referring healthcare professionals. MES certification does not provide a license to diagnose or treat medical conditions.
Do I need to be a physical therapist to enroll?
No. METI recognizes several entry routes, including qualified fitness professionals, graduates in relevant health/fitness fields, experienced rehab/exercise technicians, and selected allied professionals. Only one accepted prerequisite is needed.
What does the MES final examination require?
The exam includes a proctored written component and a practical case-study component. The written passing requirement is at least 80%; practical cases are evaluated for sufficient exercise programming and related professional knowledge. Ten clinical observation hours are required before the exam.
Is the MES Study Group included automatically?
The Study Group is a distinct guided training option. Review the MES Study Group schedule and its enrollment terms to determine whether its live-review format is right for you. The two checkout links above are the existing MES online certification offers.
Does MES training authorize medical treatment or insurance reimbursement?
No. MES is a professional certification for medical exercise training, not a clinical license or reimbursement guarantee. Practitioners must follow applicable laws, payer rules, referral conditions, and METI's professional scope standards.
Additional METI information
Helpful MES links
Review guided preparation options or contact METI with questions before you register.
Meet the founder
Four Decades of Experience. A Vision That Began in 1994.
With more than four decades of experience in physical therapy, rehabilitation, healthcare administration, and professional education, Dr. Mike brings a distinctive combination of clinical knowledge, practical instruction, and business leadership to medical exercise training.
Since helping establish the Medical Exercise Specialist certification in 1994, his mission has been to prepare exercise professionals to make sound exercise decisions within their scope, document meaningful functional outcomes, communicate effectively with medical providers, and build sustainable medical exercise practices.
The original MES program · Established 1994
Not just a certification.
The beginning of your new profession.
Develop the knowledge. Practice the skills. Learn to think through exercise decisions. Build referral relationships. Create a sustainable medical exercise practice—with the lesson materials included in your tuition.
Need guided preparation? View the MES Study Group schedule.