Press Room

San Diego, Calif., January 13, 2025 — The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a global leader in health and fitness education and certification, has partnered with Coursera, one of the largest online learning platforms, to present the “Intro to Personal Training: A Career Starter Certificate.”

This foundational, self-paced, three-course Specialization is designed to help individuals take their first step into the fitness industry. It provides aspiring fitness professionals with essential knowledge, practical skills, and an understanding of the personal training career path. Through expert instruction and real-world insights, the course equips learners to feel confident and job-ready. It also features video interviews with gym owners and industry leaders, offering firsthand advice and highlighting the qualities employers seek in new trainers.

“For nearly 40 years, ACE has been dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based education for exercise professionals and health coaches,” said Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, ACE President and CEO. “This partnership with Coursera reflects our mission to empower individuals to begin their journey into the fitness profession with accessible, foundational resources that make career entry achievable in a relatively short amount of time.”

"With the growing demand for health and wellness professionals, more learners are eager to break into this rapidly expanding field," said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera. “Our partnership with the American Council on Exercise brings their trusted education and certifications, which are highly respected within the fitness industry, to learners worldwide. Their first Specialization helps anyone interested in fitness explore whether personal training is the right career for them, while teaching the skills needed to drive meaningful change in others' lives.” 

The course covers key introductory aspects of personal training, including:

• Sales, Client Retention, and Communication: Build essential skills for engaging and retaining clients, including sales strategies and long-term relationship-building techniques.

• Program Design Fundamentals: Learn the principles of exercise program design using the ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) Model to create customized exercise plans based on rapport and connection.

• Behavior-Change Coaching: Discover the ACE Mover Method™ and ACE ABC Approach™, equipping trainers to guide clients toward lasting lifestyle changes.

• Creating an Inclusive Environment: Gain insights into fostering a welcoming, supportive atmosphere that motivates clients of all backgrounds to achieve their goals.

The program also offers an overview of the personal training career path and explores the significant, positive impact that health and fitness professionals have on individuals and communities. This course is an accessible pathway for anyone considering a career in fitness, whether they are seeking to explore the basics or build the confidence needed to take the next steps toward professional certification.

To learn more about ACE’s full catalog of courses and certifications, visit www.acefitness.org.

About the American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been the leading non-profit education and certification provider for health coaches and exercise professionals in the United States and around the world. 

With more than 90,000 highly respected certified health coaches and exercise professionals, ACE Certified Professionals are on the ground daily helping people move, stay active and make lasting lifestyle behavior changes to build healthier communities.

Headquartered in San Diego, ACE collaborates with public health partners to educate people of all backgrounds about the importance of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors; advocates for public policies to increase physical activity opportunities; and supports scientific research that investigates the efficacy of behavior-change interventions and the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends. Learn more at acefitness.org.  

About Coursera

Coursera was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. It is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 162 million registered learners as of September 30, 2024. Coursera partners with over 350 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Institutions around the world use Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students in fields such as data science, technology, and business. Coursera became a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp in February 2021.