Getting people moving:
Our work and impact in 2020
An overwhelming body of evidence indicates that even a moderate amount of physical activity every day enhances health, prevents costly inactivity-related diseases and contributes to a more joyful life. For more than 35 years, ACE has been committed to translating that evidence into tangible action.
Certification
The foundation of our approach to getting people moving is the certification of well-qualified exercise professionals and health coaches. With every professional we certify, the impact of science-based physical-activity and behavior-change content that ACE provides becomes more widespread. Since 2003, our four primary certifications have been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and the ACE Personal Trainer and ACE Group Fitness Certification Programs were also recognized by the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPS) and the Europe Active/European Registry of Exercise Professionals (EREPS). The recognition of ACE certification programs is truly global.
Since our founding in 1985, ACE has been an enthusiastic supporter and leader of certified exercise professionals and health coaches who inspire communities around the world in getting and staying physically active. As ACE has grown over the decade, so has the number of current ACE Certified Professionals and the number of ACE Certifications they hold:
49.2 million
Estimated number of client sessions conducted by ACE Certified Personal Trainers in 2020*
6.3 million
Estimated number of classes led by ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructors in 2020.*
2.8 million
Estimated number of coaching sessions conducted by ACE Certified Health Coaches in 2020.*
*Figures based on number of personal trainers, group fitness instructors and health coaches and the average number of client sessions and classes per week. Averages are based on survey data collected from ACE Certified Professionals.
Since 1985, ACE has been on a journey to evolve and help shape the fitness industry. From our early focus on group fitness and dance aerobics to the current, comprehensive approach centered on behavior change and health coaching, we are proud to support our family of more than 90,000 ACE Certified exercise professionals and health coaches to get millions of people moving worldwide.
Scott Goudeseune
Chief Executive Officer, American Council on Exercise
Education
ACE offers a wide array of evidence-based educational resources to equip ACE Certified Professionals and others with the knowledge and skills to reach more clients and grow their careers. In 2020, ACE developed and updated nearly 30 education programs and courses including:
ACE Personal Trainer Study Program
The Personal Trainer Study Program highlights ACE's commitment to innovation in user experience and online education design. The integrated learning experience features synchronous and asynchronous studying opportunities, activities for practical application and an all-new textbook. The study curriculum includes the addition of the ACE Mover Method philosophy plus an evolution of the ACE IFT Model, both of which guide aspiring professionals to apply exercise science in their work with clients.
ACE Mover Academy Online
The ACE Mover Academy Online, our first full day, live online event, provided exercise professionals and health coaches a series of dynamic, thought-provoking sessions, which were delivered virtually by health and exercise experts from around the world. The free, interactive one-day event featured live sessions on coaching, cueing, orthopedic exercise, cardiovascular programming, all of which were rooted in behavior change. More than 6,000 individuals registered.
Special Olympics Inclusive Fitness Training
ACE collaborated with Special Olympics on a new course, "Special Olympics Inclusive Fitness Training." This course is designed to provide exercise professionals with a better understanding of how to coach individuals with intellectual disabilities, and it is offered for free on the Special Olympics and ACE websites.
ACE Live Webinars
ACE's monthly live webinars took on renewed vigor during the first phase of COVID-19-related shutdowns in early 2020. In an effort to best support ACE Certified Professionals, ACE convened experts from across the globe to discuss ways to maintain contact with clients and members virtually, how to share relevant information about mask-wearing and exercise, as well as how to create an ideal virtual training experience. These webinars were highly attended and remain available free of charge on YouTube.
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ACE Personal Trainer Study Program
ACE Personal Trainer Study Program
The Personal Trainer Study Program highlights ACE's commitment to innovation in user experience and online education design. The integrated learning experience features synchronous and asynchronous studying opportunities, activities for practical application and an all-new textbook. The study curriculum includes the addition of the ACE Mover Method philosophy plus an evolution of the ACE IFT Model, both of which guide aspiring professionals to apply exercise science in their work with clients.
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ACE Mover Academy Online
ACE Mover Academy Online
The ACE Mover Academy Online, our first full day, live online event, provided exercise professionals and health coaches a series of dynamic, thought-provoking sessions, which were delivered virtually by health and exercise experts from around the world. The free, interactive one-day event featured live sessions on coaching, cueing, orthopedic exercise, cardiovascular programming, all of which were rooted in behavior change. More than 6,000 individuals registered.
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Special Olympics Inclusive Fitness Training
Special Olympics Inclusive Fitness Training
ACE collaborated with Special Olympics on a new course, "Special Olympics Inclusive Fitness Training." This course is designed to provide exercise professionals with a better understanding of how to coach individuals with intellectual disabilities, and it is offered for free on the Special Olympics and ACE websites.
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ACE Live Webinars
ACE Live Webinars
ACE's monthly live webinars took on renewed vigor during the first phase of COVID-19-related shutdowns in early 2020. In an effort to best support ACE Certified Professionals, ACE convened experts from across the globe to discuss ways to maintain contact with clients and members virtually, how to share relevant information about mask-wearing and exercise, as well as how to create an ideal virtual training experience. These webinars were highly attended and remain available free of charge on YouTube.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered the landscape of exercise in the United States and around the world. As the world began to adapt to the reality of a global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, many traditional health clubs, fitness facilities and fitness studios were forced to close for the sake of public health and safety. This left health and fitness businesses and the exercise professionals who work in them without work or income.
Throughout this difficult time, ACE did our best to help support our exam candidates (individuals planning on taking a certification exam for one of our NCCA-accredited programs), certified exercise professionals and health coaches, and the public by providing timely information to help them stay safe and adjust to a new normal.
How ACE Supports...
Population Health Improvement
In 2020, ACE continued to cultivate partnerships across sectors to help support and inspire individuals worldwide to reach recommended physical-activity levels and stave off chronic disease.
Key Partnerships
ACE leaders served on numerous advisory panels and forged collaborative relationships with leaders in the realm of population-health improvement, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and others:
One of ACE's core values is collaboration and connection, and we are proud to practice this every day though our work with diverse partners who help us advance our mission of encouraging people from all walks of life to make healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes.
Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM
President & Chief Science Officer, American Council on Exercise
Science and Research
ACE invested tens of thousands of dollars into research conducted by universities. ACE funds research that investigates the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends, and the efficacy of behavior-change interventions.
Examples of ACE-sponsored studies include:
- Effectiveness of the American Council on Exercise Integrated Fitness Training (ACE IFT) Model: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
- Effectiveness of the ACE Mover Method to Elicit Positive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Changes
- A Comparison of Energy Expenditure When Exercising on 10 Indoor Exercise Machines
- Can Foam Rolling Improve Sports Performance?
Most popular ACE Certified publication articles in 2020:
- The Relative Intensity and Energy Expenditure of Battle Rope Exercise
- Do Instructors and Trainers Age Out of the Fitness Industry?
- Multisport Agility – An ACE Integrated Fitness Training Model Workout
#ACEScienceSaturday
In 2020, ACE launched #ACEScienceSaturday, a series of reoccurring social media posts that provide ACE Instagram and ACE Facebook audiences with information and tips drawn from recently published research articles and evidence-based ACE initiatives.
International Partnerships
In 2020, there were more than 17,000 ACE Certified Professionals in 115 countries outside of the U.S.
Through strategic partnerships with vocational schools, institutions of higher learning and major health-club chains spanning from China to Finland, ACE expanded the global footprint of ACE Certified Professionals.
Professionals
of the U.S.
San Diego, California
ACE headquarters
Finland
ACE is proud to be partnered with the Nordic Health Academy in Helsinki.
Lebanon
ACE supported Inspire Fitness Academy in the launch of their first conference by providing speakers and event sponsorship.
China
ACE is proud to partner with 3HFIT and Xinchun Fitness in mainland China. In 2020, the ACE Chinese website was launched to better support our partners, engage with the Chinese fitness industry and create a direct connection with ACE Certified Professionals in China and Taiwan China. The site is available in Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
Taiwan China
Through ACE partnerships, Fit Taiwan and 3HFIT use ACE curriculum and study materials to instruct the growing body of exercise professionals, which increased by more than 20% from 2018 to 2019.
Thailand
ACE supported FIT Thailand, an ACE partner for more than 10 years, with planning for the annual Asia Fitness Conference & Expo and provided FIT Thailand with ACE education materials. ACE also presented to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
India
ACE has been partnered with Classic Fitness for over 10 years and RB Academy for over 5 years.
Zimbabwe
ACE partnered with Innovate Sport & Health, an ACE educational partner for more than 10 years, which provided certification preparation courses and continuing education workshops to fitness professionals in Harare.
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China
China
ACE is proud to partner with 3HFIT and Xinchun Fitness in mainland China. In 2020, the ACE Chinese website was launched to better support our partners, engage with the Chinese fitness industry and create a direct connection with ACE Certified Professionals in China and Taiwan China. The site is available in Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
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San Diego, California
San Diego, California
ACE headquarters
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India
India
ACE has been partnered with Classic Fitness for over 10 years and RB Academy for over 5 years.
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Lebanon
Lebanon
ACE has been partnered with Inspire Fitness Academy in Beirut for nearly 5 years.
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Taiwan China
Taiwan China
In Taiwan, ACE is proud to have been partnered with Fit Taiwan and 3HFIT for more than 5 years.
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Thailand
Thailand
ACE is honored have been partnered with Fitness Innovations Thailand (FIT Thailand) for more than 10 years. FIT Thailand offers ACE Personal Trainer in English and Chinese. They also offer the longest running fitness conference in the region.
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Finland
Finland
ACE is proud to be partnered with the Nordic Health Academy in Helsinki.
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Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
ACE is honored to have been partnered with Innovate Sport & Health for more than 10 years.
Collaboration and Advocacy
Like-minded collaborators
Physical Activity Alliance
As an active partner in the Physical Activity Alliance, ACE works alongside other leading health nonprofits in the United States whose goal is to make physical-activity opportunities safe and accessible for all Americans. By combining forces, the Physical Activity Alliance advocates for specific policies to make this goal a reality and acts as expert advisory group to state and federal legislators.
Active People, Healthy Nation
ACE is a proud supporter of Active People, Healthy NationSM, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Initiative that seeks to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027 by promoting effective strategies that work. Through a series of blog posts directed to exercise professionals and health coaches, ACE equips this audience to recognize the importance of Active People, Healthy Nation and how their work is critical in reaching this goal.
Advancing standards for the profession
ACE is among the most vocal advocates for consistent standards of professionalism within the fitness industry. In 2020, ACE served on boards and committees that improve the quality of education, credentialing and workplaces for the exercise professional, including:
Standards Subcommittee
Facility Certification Committee
Standards Revision Main Committee
Nominating Committee
Committee on Accreditation for Education Programs for Kinesiotherapy (CoA-KT)
U.S. policy and engagement
In 2020, ACE advocated with allies including the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act Coalition and provided timely information to support exercise professionals and health coaches across the nation.
Covid-19-Related Legislation
ACE tracked and provided updates to certified exercise professionals and health coaches about COVID-19-related legislation that may benefit them.
The CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, a federal COVID-19 relief package was signed into law by the U.S. Congress. This legislation contained important information that could assist exercise professionals and health coaches during this unprecedented time. To help exercise professionals understand what this legislation meant for them and their livelihood, ACE drafted a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document to help decode and apply this policy language.
Health Club Recovery Fund Act
On October 1, 2020, a federal legislation was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives aimed to assist fitness studios and facilities who have been adversely affected by COVID-19. This bill would provide 30 billion dollars of relief funds to fitness studios and facilities until December 31, 2020. ACE monitored the progress of this bill closely and updated exercise professionals when new information became available.
Shared-Use Agreements
In 2020, indoor gym activity was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ACE advocates for increased use of accessible public spaces like parks that are optimal for safe, structured physical activity programming facilitated by certified exercise professionals when there is limited access to indoor fitness facilities. ACE believes that the use of accessible public spaces like parks and green spaces in cities and towns across the country is more important than ever. To support exercise professionals and health coaches, ACE developed its Guide to Offering Outdoor Classes and Workouts and shared additional resources with tips to provide in-person client sessions safely and with community support.
Spreading the Word
ACE spreads the message for increased physical activity by providing evidence-based, publicly available content and engaging the news media. In 2020, ACE generated more than 340 unique stories that generated more than 26 billion impressions globally.
Media Placements in 2020 Included:
"What is a health coach and should you hire one?"
March 5, 2020
"Building a home workout toolbox"
May 29, 2020
"Exercising while wearing a mask"
June 17, 2020
"Experts are worried about covid-19's effect on childhood obesity."
October 6, 2020
Encouraging Physical Activity Through Quality Content
ACE continued to provide the public with educational, science-based content to encourage people from all walks of life to achieve sustainable healthy lifestyle changes.
8.3 million
More than 8.3 million unique
ACE website visitors
2.8 million
More than 2.8 million unique
ACE Healthy Living Blog visitors
1.9 million
More than 1.9 million unique
ACE Insights Blog visitors
Learn more
ACE Mission and Efforts
See all of what ACE does beyond certification of exercise professionals and health coaches.
ACE Mission Blog
Stay apprised of ACE's work in pursuit of our mission.
ACE Covid-19 Updates
View information and tools to help ACE Certified Professionals, candidates for certification and others during the COVID-19 pandemic.