Press Room

ACE Continues to Grow with Addition of Personal Training and Group Fitness Experts

Posted: Nov 01, 2011 in

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (October 31, 2011)—Fitness industry experts Jonathan Ross and Lawrence Biscontini, M.A. have joined the team of fitness experts at the American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s leading authority on fitness and the world’s largest nonprofit fitness and personal trainer certification, continuing education and training organization. Ross and Biscontini will join ACE as part of the organization’s ongoing growth strategy. “We are rapidly expanding ACE to meet the increasing demand from fitness professionals for continued fitness education, tools for business development and thought leadership from the best sources in the industry,” said ACE CEO Scott Goudeseune. With decades of experience in the fitness industry, Ross and Biscontini share a strong background in developing innovative programming for fitness professionals, as well as individual clients and group fitness participants. Ross, who joins ACE as Senior Consultant Personal Training, is a recognized speaker, author and thought leader in the field of personal training. He also served as a Discovery Health Fitness Expert and is a master trainer for TRX. He has presented at numerous industry conferences, including the ACE Fitness Symposium, and is the two-time recipient of the Personal Trainer of the Year Award from IDEA in 2010 and ACE in 2006. In his new role, Ross will help meet the growing demand for fitness education spurred by the launch of the proprietary ACE Integrated Fitness Training® Model, the first personal training progression model to span the health-fitness-performance continuum, enabling personal trainers to provide comprehensive training solutions for clients of every fitness level, from those who have been sedentary to elite athletes. This model is built on the foundation of rapport, and integrates functional movement, resistance, and cardio training while also addressing the interpersonal skills and personal motivators that help create lasting behavior change. A recognized leader and advocate of the ACE IFT® model, Ross will equip industry leaders and fitness professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to be on the forefront of fitness, focusing on the current needs of the industry and anticipating the consumer needs of the future. Biscontini, who will serve as Senior Consultant Group Fitness to ACE, is known for creating award-winning group fitness and personal training programming for clubs and spas internationally. His original programs have earned him consistent accolades throughout his career, including IDEA Group Fitness Instructor of the Year in 2004 and ACE Group Fitness Instructor of the Year in 2002. Biscontini has served on the Advisory and Steering Committees for ACE, IDEA and ECA, and he regularly contributes to leading industry publications such as ACE Certified News and IDEA Fitness Journal. Biscontini will be instrumental in the development and expansion of ACE’s industry-leading group fitness instructor certification and support continuing education. He will also develop key strategies to enhance ACE’s offerings to its growing base of professionals to address evolving consumer demands. “We understand the importance of building a strong knowledge base from which we can continuously draw the expertise, insight, and innovative thinking to help provide industry members with the skills and tools to address their clients’ needs,” said Goudeseune. “Jonathan and Lawrence will serve as important representatives for ACE in the community, as they help us spread the message about the invaluable resources we provide for fitness professionals, consumers, and the industry as a whole.” Ross received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland and has had an ACE personal trainer certification for more than a decade. Biscontini received his Bachelor of Science from Bucknell University and a Master of Arts from the University of Kansas. He has been a gold-certified ACE group fitness instructor for more than twenty years, and is also an ACE-certified personal trainer, among other certifications. “Our vision at ACE is to fight the obesity epidemic by educating Americans on how to become more active in their daily lives, and this can only be accomplished by addressing not only consumers, but also the fitness professionals who are tasked with engaging their local communities to participate in various forms of physical activity,” said American Council on Exercise’s Chief Science Officer, Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D. “With Jonathan and Lawrence’s combined expertise, we are enhancing our offerings to the personal trainer and group fitness communities, and providing fitness professionals with the tools to help them change the way Americans view and access fitness in an effort to reverse the disturbing obesity trend.” For more information on ACE or to learn about the creation of the ACE IFT Model, please visit www.acefitness.org. About ACE The American Council on Exercise® (ACE®), America’s premier fitness and personal trainer certification, continuing education, and training organization, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting Americans against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. ACE sponsors university-based fitness and exercise science research studies and is the world’s largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or visit the ACE website at www.acefitness.org/.