ACE Impact Report 2011

The first line of our mission statement at the American Council on Exercise^® (ACE^®) speaks to our commitment to enriching quality of life through exercise and physical activity. Whether we are certifying fitness professionals, conducting research on the effectiveness of the latest fitness trends, or finding ways to help families be more active, our ultimate goal is to help people be healthier, feel better and get more enjoyment out of life. This year our staff, partners and network of ACE-certified professionals made huge strides toward meeting that objective.

Our many initiatives in fiscal year 2010–2011 continue to reinforce our position as a fitness thought leader and bridge-builder. One of these initiatives involves expanding education to all fitness professionals is the ACE® Integrated Fitness Training^TM (ACE IFT^TM) Model. The launch of this new approach to personal training in 2010 revolutionized the field and the response has been exceptional. Trainers are hungry for a way to develop comprehensive, truly personalized programs for their clients and this model delivers it. Now we’re focusing on providing additional ACE IFT Model–powered tools, further taking the guesswork out of training and leveraging technology to drive results. This is personal training at its best. It’s Personal Training Reinvented^TM.

Certifying effective fitness professionals helps ensure that consumers will have a more positive exercise experience —and ultimately that’s what will enable us to deliver on our mission and end the obesity epidemic that plagues our country today. But since the majority of Americans do not work with a trainer or belong to a gym, ACE has made it a priority to reach them directly. Every collaboration we enter into—be it the National Physical Activity Plan or partnerships with the American Heart Association or the International Council on Active Aging—is focused on finding ways for people to be more active and integrate movement into their daily lives. Our ACE Get Fit^TM online platform is an excellent starting point for trustworthy fitness resources to help guide the public through a sea of overwhelming and often conflicting information.

With the heightened national focus on healthcare, the staggering statistics on obesity and the importance of integrating fitness with medical solutions, we are also developing relationships with the allied health industry. Connecting with allied health workers will increase public access to wellness information and resources and enhance our impact in creating a more active nation.

A public outreach endeavor we are particularly excited about this year is Joining Forces. This initiative, led by the White House and First Lady Michelle Obama, calls attention to our active duty National Guard and Reserve members and their immediate families. ACE is proud to give back by securing pledges for one million fitness training hours from organizations across the industry. We were also recently honored as one of the most Military Friendly Schools in the nation, placing ACE in the top 15% of secondary schools.

Did we see obesity rates go down this year? No. The news is still challenging on that front, but we are starting to make inroads into all corners of the country. Through our various partnerships, educational programs and outreach initiatives—from the national level to local community events—we are spreading the message about exercise and wellness and giving people resources they can use to start living healthier today. From living rooms to boardrooms to the White House, we’re building a bridge to a fitter, healthier future for everyone.


Scott Goudeseune
President & Chief Executive Officer