Our EDI Statement
As the American Council on Exercise (ACE), we actively pursue and promote equity, diversity and inclusion within our organization and the health and fitness industry.
We proudly commit to bringing equity to the health and fitness landscape by working to ensure that everyone has equal access and opportunity to participate in the activities necessary to live an active, healthy life.
We celebrate the diversity of the inspiring individuals and communities we serve and have made it our mission to get ALL people moving and enjoying the benefits of an active, healthy life.
We champion inclusivity by encouraging and creating environments in which everyone—every age, race, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, faith, socioeconomic status, education level, size, or physical or intellectual ability—feels welcome and accepted.
At ACE, we commit. We celebrate. We champion.
How we're putting our EDI efforts to work
We Commit to Equity
Sponsoring research that investigates the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends, and the efficacy of behavior-change interventions
Partnering with community-based organizations who directly impact communities with limited physical activity opportunities
Investing in historically underrepresented populations in health and fitness
- ACE supported 3 WINS Fitness, a community organization who provided free group exercise sessions in predominantly low income, Latino neighborhoods.
- ACE supported the Sports Backers' Fitness Warriors program, which provides free fitness classes to residents who may otherwise lack access to or may be unable to afford exercise opportunities.
Providing increased website accessibility functionality, which helps individuals of varying abilities easily navigate ACEfitness.org
Utilizing inclusive language, including gender neutral pronouns, throughout ACE materials
We Celebrate Diversity
Elevating diverse voices in the media
Showcasing the diversity of our ACE Certified Professionals on social media and in blog posts
Hosting unique conversations that share actionable insights for ACE Certified Professionals and those in the health and fitness industry
Publishing content that shows diversity and unique voices
- Is Body Love Realistic? By Christine DeFilippis, owner of a weight inclusive fitness studio.
- Black History Month: Focus on Black Fitness Professionals By Aida Johnson-Rapp, owner of Aspire to Harmony.
We Champion Inclusivity
Hosting multiple webinars and Facebook Live events covering EDI-related topics. Past dialogues include:
Partnering with like-minded education partners to further distribute equity, diversity and inclusion materials to aspiring and current ACE Certified Professionals
Administering the IDEA World Convention Scholarship Program, which offers health and exercise professionals to attend the Convention when they may not have the financial means to do so otherwise
ACE wins gold award for Best Advance in Diversity and Inclusion Innovation
ACE wins gold award for Best Advance in Diversity and Inclusion Innovation
In 2022, ACE won a coveted Brandon Hall Group Gold award for excellence in the Best Advance in Diversity and Inclusion Innovation category in partnership with LearnUpon LMS.
ACE's flagship course, Taking Action with ACE: Practicing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as a Health and Exercise Professional, provides actionable steps that can be applied every day to address equity, diversity and inclusion in the health and fitness industry. Through practice scenarios pulled from real-life experiences of diverse clients and health and exercise professionals, course participants are given an opportunity to learn from an alternate perspective.
ACE Courses committed to EDI Education
ACE provides multiple EDI-related courses, including our flagship course, Taking Action with ACE: Practicing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as a Health and Exercise Professional. Additional courses related to equity, diversity and inclusion can be found here. Many of ACE's educational materials and presentations are available with closed captioning and audio-only options.
To learn about upcoming events, please subscribe to the ACE eNewsletter or follow ACE on social media:
Have specific questions or comments about ACE's EDI efforts?
Please email us at corpcomms@acefitness.org