

I Tried This Viral Walking Hack for Weeks — Here’s Why I Think Everyone Should Do It (Good Housekeeping)

“Research on deconditioned individuals shows a vest can increase overall energy expenditure when worn throughout the day, especially for those who move frequently—think landscapers, teachers on their feet, or warehouse workers,” says Lauren Shroyer, MS, ATC, vice president of product and innovation at the American Council on Exercise. “However, if you’re already active and conditioned, the impact is likely minimal.”
Read MoreHow to Decide Whether to Do Cardio Before or After Weights, According to Trainers (Women’s Health UK)

The advice below is recommended by the American Council on Exercise. - If your goal is better endurance, do cardio before weights. - If your goal is burning fat and losing weight, do cardio after weights. - If you want to get stronger, do cardio after weights. - On upper-body strength training days, you can do either first. - On lower-body strength training days, do cardio after weights. - If your goal is just general fitness, do either first, but maybe start with the one you like less.
Read MoreA Mobility Routine for Your Next Active Recovery Day (Outside)

An ACE-certified trainer shares exercises to keep your muscles moving on the days you're not doing (or don't feel like doing) a high-intensity workout
Read MoreDo Weighted Hula Hoops Work? Trainers Explain All Of The Potential Benefits (Women's Health)

Hula hooping isn’t just fun—it can torch a surprising number of calories. The average person burns approximately 210 calories in a 30-minute hula hoop workout, according to a study from the American Council on Exercise (ACE). That’s comparable to brisk walking at a 4 mph pace or moderate cycling.
Read MoreTop 7 Tips for Mountain Biking in Hot Weather (Bike Magazine)

Starting your ride hydrated is as important as staying hydrated during it. To begin your ride properly hydrated, the American Council on Exercise recommends drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water a few hours before your ride and then 8 ounces (1 cup) of water 30 minutes before you start.
Read MoreDoes Walking for Weigh Loss Really Work? How to Burn More Calories (Today)

Walking for weight loss is effective and has many benefits, including reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Even a few thousand steps a day can help you shed pounds if you’re consistent. Walking can also help you develop lean muscle, says Cedric Bryant, Ph.D., the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise...
Read MoreThe 10 Golden Rules of Exercise for Middle-Aged People! (AOL)

It is very easy to tear cold muscles. A 5–10 minute warm-up with dynamic movements like leg swings and arm circles loosens joints and improves workout efficiency. The American Council on Exercise warns that skipping warm-ups raises injury risk and reduces flexibility.
Read MoreACE Welcomes Pam Watts to its Board of Directors
New ACE Board member brings expertise and experience in executive leadership and physical activity advocacy
Read MorePlogging Tips From an Expert: How to Get the Most out of Your Workout (The Manual)

As the American Council on Exercise points out, jogging is an efficient way to burn calories, which can help promote weight loss. If you’re looking to shed several pounds, jogging gets your heart rate up, your muscles moving, and calories burning. You’ll also continue torching those calories after you stop plogging.
Read MoreBoogie Boarding is Hannah Waddingham's Secret to Staying Fit at 50 - Here's How to do it (Women's Health)

As you paddle, you work your cardiovascular health and endurance, while balancing and controlling the board simultaneously strengthens your arms, legs, back and core. It requires mobility as you stretch and twist to catch the waves, too, and according to the American Council on Exercise, a 150lb (or 68kg) person can burn up to 400 calories per hour while bodyboarding.
Read MoreThe Ozempic Workout? How Gyms and Trainers are catering to a New Group of Exercisers (The Los Angeles Times)

The trend has had a ripple effect on organizations that administer certification programs for fitness trainers. The National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise are now offering GLP-1 education. The National Exercise & Sports Trainers Assn. debuted a “GLP-1 Exercise Specialist Certificate” in January that it touts as a “passport to success” for trainers.
Read MoreZone 2 Cardio: Pros, Cons and Tips From Experts (CNET)

"Zone 2 training is effective for improving mitochondria function as well as increasing the number of mitochondria in the cells. This is why zone 2 training has become so popular, especially when discussing longevity. The health of the mitochondria will have a direct impact on the effects of aging on the body," says Mike Deibler, an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise.
Read MoreThe 12 Best Exercises for Men to Stay Fit After 50 (Eat This, Not That!)

"Functional movement becomes critical as we age. The best advice I can give men over 50 years of age is to stay mobile and continue strength training multiple times a week. Like a car, we want to warm up the body thoroughly the older it gets," says Nico Gonzalez, Balanced Body Educator and Global Movement Trainer & Educator, certified through ACE (the American Council on Exercise).
Read MorePhysical Activity Benefits for Women: Closing the Gender Gap

Researchers investigated whether there are sex differences in exercise benefits in terms of reducing cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality. They found that the physical activity benefits for women are greater than those for men and are hopeful that this evidence helps close the gender gap in physical activity.
Read MoreMenstrual Cycle and Resistance Training: What the Latest Research Says

Explore the latest research on how the menstrual cycle impacts muscle growth and strength training. This article breaks down common myths around cycle-based programming and offers clear, evidence-based guidance for helping female clients train confidently and effectively at any point in their menstrual cycle. Learn how to prioritize consistency, flexibility and individualized coaching over rigid cycle-syncing approaches.
Read MoreCEO Corner: ACE’s Cedric X. Bryant on Fitness, Healthcare & GLP-1s (Athletech News)

Many fitness executives talk a good game about the importance of physical activity and healthy living. Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, lives it. Named president and CEO of the American Council on Exercise (ACE) last year, Bryant has held various leadership positions within the fitness education and certification provider since joining ACE in 2001.
Read MoreThe 5 Best Foods to Eat Before Running, According to a Dietitian (Purewow)

If you find it hard to eat right after exercising, the American Council on Exercise suggests trying liquid foods instead of solids. Chocolate milk is a particularly great choice, thanks to its tasty mix of carbs, protein and water. (Just go easy on the sugar.)
Read MoreAmerican Council on Exercise and Coach360 Announce Partnership
ACE aims to empower health and fitness professionals through this strategic collaboration.
Read More6 Medicine Ball Exercise You Should Try, According to a Personal Trainer (Yahoo!)

"If your goal is to improve muscular fitness, then strength training equipment can be essential," says ACE-certified personal trainer Chris Gagliardi. He shared six fresh, effective medicine ball exercise recommendations. I tried all of these workouts, and yes, some are much more challenging than others (glaring at you, medicine ball push-ups), but there are modifications you can take to ease in.
Read MoreIs Apple Fitness+ Worth It? (Consumer Reports)

Erin Nitschke, a certified personal trainer and scientific adviser for the American Council on Exercise, explains that home workout videos—which typically rely solely on bodyweight exercises or else light dumbbells and resistance bands—may not be the best option for someone looking to build significant muscle.
Read MoreThe Science of Habit Formation: A Guide for Health and Exercise Professionals

Think you need only 21 days to form a new habit? Think again, according to new research that systematically reviewed the time required to develop health habits and identified key factors that influence habit formation. Read on to learn how you and your clients can use evidence-based practices to develop and maintain healthy habits.
Read MoreHeard of STOTT Pilates? It's the Latest Trending Low-Impact Workout Promising to Boost Tone, Strength and More (Marie Claire)

It is. Since this method of Pilates was first developed by Moira and her husband, Lindsay Merrithew, in the 80s in Canada, STOTT Pilates has become an internationally respected program. So much so, it’s recognized by industry accreditation bodies like The Register of Exercise Professionals and the American Council on Exercise.
Read More7 Things To Know About Increasing Your Body’s Energy Levels (Health)

Exercise can actually increase your energy, even if a session leaves you sweaty and out of breath. "When you exercise, you release hormones like adrenaline," Sabrena Jo, a senior director of science and research at the American Council on Exercise (ACE), told Health. "This hormone actually tells our bodies to ignore feelings of pain and fatigue while enhancing blood flow to large muscles."
Read MorePrioritizing Heart Health in the Black Community: A Call to Action

February is American Heart Month and Black History Month—the perfect time to discuss health disparities in the Black community. These practical self-care strategies may help improve your heart health.
Read MoreNew Study Confirms Health Benefits of the 12-3-30 Workout
The study provides scientific evidence supporting the physiological and health benefits of the viral workout.
Read MoreThe Top 7 Expert-Backed Ways to Treat Sore Muscles (Men's Health)

So, make sure you're intaking enough both before and after your workouts. The American Council on Exercise recommends drinking 17- to 20 ounces of water two- to three hours before exercise, then another eight ounces of water 20- to 30 minutes before the workout.
Read MoreHerniated Discs Are a Common Cycling Injury—Here’s Everything You Need to Know (Bicycling)

The American Council of Exercise recommends performing three sets for each using a reverse pyramid rep/set scheme. Start with a higher number of repetitions for the first set, then decrease by 2 to 6 reps, then decrease by another 2 to 4 reps on the last set. So you might start with 8-6-4 reps and work your way up to 12-10-8 reps as you get stronger and build endurance. Hold each exercise for no more than 8 to 10 seconds.
Read MoreJustice For the Middle-Aged Woman Workout (PopSugar Fitness)

Why the "Middle-Aged Woman Workout" Still Matters For starters, it matters because it works. Christopher Gagliardi, ACE-certified personal trainer and health coach, shares that the American Council on Exercise has done research that supports some of these workouts as effective forms of exercise. Cardio drumming has been proved effective in terms of enjoyment, caloric expenditure, and producing an elevated heart rate for cardiorespiratory benefits.
Read MoreOptimizing Healthspan and Quality of Life: A Global Consensus on the Evidence

This blog explores recent research into the connections between longevity and exercise and provides key takeaways and practical strategies. Gain a better understanding of the role of exercise in healthspan and quality of life.
Read MoreHow Many Sets Should You Do Per Workout? Your Complete Guide (The Manual)

Research shows performing more weekly sets results in more muscle hypertrophy, which refers to an increase in muscle size. You can increase your weekly sets over time as you get stronger and more experienced with strength training and weight lifting. Here are some general guidelines for specific fitness goals from the American Council on Exercise.
Read MoreExercising Outdoors When Air Quality Is Poor

Knowing how to exercise safely when air quality is bad is important for your overall health. The strategies presented here will help you make informed decisions that will allow you to head outdoors and stay active, even when pollution or allergens are an issue.
Read MoreA Simple 10-Minute Workout to Improve Mobility (New York Times)

“When we think of mobility, we think about movement,” said Cedric Bryant, the president of the American Council on Exercise. This means focusing on dynamic moves, like lunges, that work groups of muscles, rather than individual ones.
Read MoreStrength Training the Glutes: An Evidence-based Approach

This blog provides an evidence-based approach to strength training the glutes. Based on ACE-sponsored research, the workout provided can be added to your clients’ routines or serve as a quick, on-the-go workout when time is limited.
Read MoreAmerican Council on Exercise Named a 2024 Winner of Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation
New Research: How to Enhance Cognitive and Sleep Health With Physical Activity

As a health and exercise professional, you know the wide-reaching physical benefits of exercise and physical activity. Now, emerging research is illuminating how movement can also positively impact cognitive and sleep health, particularly in older adults. This article examines findings from two groundbreaking studies to provide actionable insights for enhancing your clients’ overall well-being.
Read MoreAmerican Council on Exercise Partners with Coursera to Offer Foundational Course for Aspiring Personal Trainers
The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a global leader in health and fitness education and certification, has partnered with Coursera to present the “Intro to Personal Training: A Career Starter Certificate.”
Read MoreYour ’Max Heart Rate’ Is Probably Wrong (Life Hacker)

Because of the problems above, reputable organizations have mostly backed away from the idea of “calculating” your max heart rate. Runner’s World took down its target heart rate calculator. The American Council on Exercise, one of the major organizations that issues personal training certifications, instructs trainers not to use max heart rate calculations, but to do real-world tests to help clients match their own heart rates to appropriate intensities of exercise...
Read MoreACE and Mental Wellbeing Association Introduce New Certification (American Spa)

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Mental Wellbeing Association have announced the launch of the Mental Well-Being Certification. This first-of-its-kind program focuses on mental health and wellbeing through established self-care practices in exercise, nutrition, mindfulness, and social connection.
Read MoreHow To Maintain—And Build—Muscle On Ozempic (Women's Health)

Because strength training is one of the best ways to preserve and prevent muscle loss, it tracks that a slew of workout and wellness companies (including Equinox and the workout streaming platform Obé) are launching exercise programs specifically marketed toward people on these medications. What’s more, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) just launched a new course around supporting clients who are using anti-obesity medication for trainers and health coaches.
Read MoreHow Many Calories You Actually Burn Walking 10,000 Steps Each Day (Verywell Health)

You can also use a calorie counting tool, such as one from the American Council on Exercise. With it, you can select your weight, activity, and time spent doing the activity to figure out how many calories you burned.
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