Give your career a boost

Gain a major edge over your competition as BOTH a group fitness instructor and size inclusive fitness specialist, making a greater impact on even more people.

Impact every body

Guide a vastly underserved population using a fitness approach that empowers larger bodied individuals to feel welcomed and embrace movement for the long-term.

Get ongoing career support

As an ACE Certified Pro, you get exclusive access to tools and resources that will help you succeed in your career, from day one, and beyond.

What you'll learn

The ability to coach people of various body sizes and types creates a group fitness environment where everyone feels included and celebrated regardless of what their starting point is.

With the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Basic Study Program, you will learn how to lead memorable classes, create exercise programming, motivation techniques, music selection and safety considerations for group settings. And with CPR/AED Smart Certification, you’ll meet the requirements to take the ACE Certification Exam.

After becoming an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, the Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist Program will prepare you to engage in group classes with people of various body types in an inclusive and supporting way. This creates an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to move their bodies.

With the knowledge garnered through these two programs, you’ll be equipped to help individuals reach their goals and to feel safe and confident in your care.

Plus, make a more positive impact on lives with our very own equity, diversity and inclusion course filled with actionable steps you can apply to your everyday practice.

What's in your bundle?

Certification

ACE Group Fitness Instructor Basic Study Program

Be prepared to lead and instruct memorable group fitness classes across a variety of opportunities including dance fitness, strength training, cardio, HIIT and more.

The learning experience is 100% online and self-paced, and takes at least 3-6 months to complete. You will then take a multiple-choice exam from home or a testing site near you. Once you pass your exam, you will be an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor ready to lead classes!

What's included:

  • ACE University
    x

    The core of your study program where you will receive step-by-step guidance from start to finish, moving from learning to applying. With an intuitive learning platform, compatible on any device, learning is at your fingertips. ACE U helps you plan, manage and track your course syllabus and offers engaging videos, chapter summaries, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and a special exam prep module.

  • ACE Certification Exam
    Available to take from home
  • Practice Test
    x

    Prepare for your ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam with ease by taking one (1) untimed practice test. The practice test has 50 multiple choice questions, which you can take as many times as you like. After the practice test, you'll know exactly what you need to spend more time reviewing by receiving a breakdown of your score based on categories covered on the exam. You'll be prepped and exam-ready!

  • ACE Group Fitness Instructor Digital Textbook
    x

    Updated with the latest research and packed with time-tested strategies, The Exercise Professional's Guide to Group Fitness Instruction delivers everything you'll need to create a dynamic class environment that is full of highly engaged participants—no matter the setting or type of class.

*Digital eBooks compatible with desktops (Mac & PC), tablets and smartphones (iOS & Android) only. Cannot be printed.

1.5
CECs

Course

Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist Program

As a Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist, you will have the ability to make movement enjoyable and sustainable for the long-term for all individuals regardless of their starting point. This program offers in-depth, highly specialized training to remove barriers and help get your larger bodied class participants moving in a sustainable way.

You must first be ACE Certified before completing this online course to earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs).

What's included:

  • Size Inclusive Fitness Learning Activity
  • Size Inclusive Fitness Online Content
  • Size Inclusive Fitness Recorded Video
  • Size Inclusive Fitness Online Quiz
0.4
CECs

Course

CPR/AED Smart Certification

Fulfill all CPR/AED requirements needed for ACE Certification anywhere, anytime in just 90 minutes or less.

CPR/AED Certification is required to take the ACE Certification Exam.

0.3
CECs

Ethics Course

Taking Action With ACE: Practicing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as a Health and Exercise Professional

Be better equipped to support traditionally marginalized groups and create an inviting environment that enhances engagement and retention.

You must first be ACE Certified before completing this online course to earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs).

Join a family that helps you thrive throughout your career!

ACE is a leading non-profit with 90,000+ certified exercise professionals and health coaches who share a mission to get people moving. We promise to support you beyond certification and through the different stages of your career. As an ACE Certified Pro, you'll get access to exclusive networks, resources, tools and discounts, including:

  • ACE® Pro Compass
  • ACE Job Board
  • ACE Pro Connect™ App
  • ACE Talks Podcast
  • Digital Credentials
  • Profile in the USREPS national registry
  • CERTIFIED™ Magazine, a free monthly digital publication
  • Discounted liability insurance
  • Discounts and special offers on clothing, equipment, memberships and more
  • Voice in Washington and state capitals

Jumpstart your group fitness career and make movement enjoyable for people of all sizes!

Get certified online with Live Remote Proctoring

Take your exam from the comfort of your home! We are pleased to offer you the option to take your ACE Certification Exam through a Live Remote Proctor.

  • Exams are proctored through Meazure Learning/Proctor U, the pioneer of live remote proctoring
  • Remote proctored exams are available for Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach, and Medical Exercise Specialist certifications
  • Remote proctored exams are conducted in English only
  • Upon completing your exam registration with ACE, you will have 60 days to take your remote proctored exam
  • Upon completing your exam registration with ACE, you will receive an email from Meazure Learning with the simple steps to choose your exam date and time
  • Anyone with current exam vouchers or exams that have been cancelled may register for a remote exam at no extra cost
  • Anyone without an exam voucher may register for a remote exam at our standard exam fee rate
  • To register for a remote proctored exam, simply select that option at time of registration
  • iPads, Chromebooks and other tablets are NOT accepted testing devices

American Council on Exercise reserves the right to discontinue the sale or support of any product at any time, to remove, correct, or update content based on current industry standards, guidelines, or technological advances. Notification will be given to those who have purchased such products six months prior to expiration. No refund will be given for expiring products.