American Council on Exercise

Explore what drives behavior change and how to bridge the gap between education and real-world implementation. Learn behavior coaching skills that bring your expertise to life.

Cameil Ross, a group fitness instructor certified by the American Council on Exercise, said that “adding a weighted vest to your workout routine [increases] the resistance and cardiovascular output, which may result in higher caloric burn. It forces your muscles to work harder, which can build muscular strength as well.”

The 2026 Certification Advisory Board will enhance integrity and oversight of the ACE credentialing process.

Peptides are marketed as the next big thing for fat loss, muscle recovery and “anti-aging,” often promising faster results with less effort, but it’s important to consider the evidence about their safety and effectiveness.

Two of the industry’s leading authorities unite to deliver an unmatched in-person learning experience for exercise professionals

Beyond improving physical appearance, muscles help maintain posture, stabilize joints and allow us to move, says Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., chief executive officer at the American Council on Exercise. “(Muscle) helps regulate blood sugar, supports metabolic function, protects joints and bones, and contributes to longevity and independence as we age,” Bryant tells TODAY.com. “In many ways, muscle is one of the body’s most important organs for both performance and health.”

Today the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a national organization that confers fitness certifications to personal and group fitness instructors and health coaches, launched a dedicated program to educate exercise and health professionals on the specific needs of menopausal women so they can better support them...

Evidence-based, holistic strategies help trainers meet the needs of a rapidly growing client population.

Dr. Rogers, who has been working with the American Council on Exercise to educate exercise professionals about the medications, is wary of these programs, since it isn’t clear what evidence they are based on.

Overall, the more you move with intention, the more of a difference you'll see, says Sariya. You can also slowly increase your weights for an additional burn, as long as they’re not too heavy. (The American Council on Exercise suggests one to three pounds max for joint safety.)

Getting a good night’s sleep is a powerful recovery tool. Learn practical sleep strategies that will help your clients improve their sleep hygiene and better support their physical activity and exercise.

How to do these exercises: 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.

A new analysis points to aerobic exercise as the most consistently effective option for reducing pain and improving function, gait and quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis. Here, we explain how to use this evidence to simplify program design, build client confidence and layer in complementary training when needed.

McEown bring his deep expertise in finance and public accounting to help guide ACE’s strategic and financial stewardship.

Properly training the deltoids requires a variety of carefully chosen exercises. This evidence-based workout features shoulder exercises to develop strength and function.

Jolene Noel can hardly remember a time when fitness wasn’t part of her life. In first grade, a visiting instructor led a fitness demonstration and later pulled her aside to tell her how great she did. That brief moment of encouragement planted a seed—one that would shape her future in powerful ways.

You’ve always been a gym rat, and you have every intention of taking that into retirement. Why not consider taking your fondness for exercise into a second-act career as a fitness coach? You’ll want to spend a little to get more. If you want a sanctioned job at a fitness facility, get your certification. That could come from the American Council on Exercise.

The Scientific Advisory Panel provides ACE with expert insight for emerging and trending health and exercise topics.

Personalized programming is the key to smarter program design that optimizes results for each client. Learn strategies that promote proper recovery, inclusive fitness and better results.

"High price points, intimidating studio aesthetics, lack of language access, and narrow marketing imagery all quietly signal, ’This isn’t for you,’" Araceli De Leon, a content and education manager at the American Council on Exercise, tells Axios.

Collaboration aims to expand resources that empower exercise professionals to better serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This new philosophy serves as a guide to help health and exercise professionals, as well as the public, prioritize overall well-being.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) announces the ACE 7 Core Drivers of Healthy Living, a new, evidence-based philosophy designed to help health and exercise professionals more effectively support individuals in building sustainable, whole-person focused health.

The ACE 7 Core Drivers of Healthy Living is a framework to help health and fitness pros and their clients better understand those lifestyle behaviors that support overall health and well-being. Read on for practical strategies and resources.

"Stretching is arguably one of the most misunderstood aspects of exercise," says Cedric X. Bryant, a physiologist and chief executive officer at the American Council on Exercise. "Myths persist because so many people are stuck in the past with old gym science that gets passed down."

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been named the exclusive beginner-level certification partner for Inspire360 Club, providing foundational education for entry-level trainers. Additional partners include TRX, Exos, Eleiko, Certified Functional Strength Coach (Mike Boyle), Oxygen Advantage, Gray Institute, ProNatal, Human Motion Associates, Jim LaValle and the Mental Wellbeing Association, among others.

The American Council of Exercise recently announced a new Sleep & Recovery Coach Course with sleep educator Nick Lambe, designed for personal trainers and fitness pros who want to add sleep and recovery science to their offerings.

Inspire360, the education technology that powers the world’s top fitness companies and health clubs, and the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the leading nonprofit education and certification organization in the fitness industry, announced today a strategic partnership. Inspire360 has selected ACE as the exclusive beginner-level qualification and certification partner of Inspire360 Club, the new club education platform recently launched by Inspire360.

Inspire360 has selected ACE as the exclusive beginner-level qualification and certification partner of Inspire360 Club, the new club education platform recently launched by Inspire360.

Performing a variety of movements may be the secret to building stronger glutes. This evidence-based workout features glute exercises to develop both strength and function.

Maintaining cardiovascular fitness also has a “profound effect” on independence and quality of life — without it, “activities of daily living can become more of a burden,” adds Anthony Wall, senior director of global business development and professional education at the American Council on Exercise. People may also stay at home more often and avoid socializing. “This leads to greater feelings of isolation and increased likelihood of depression,” he says.

Cameil Ross, a group fitness instructor certified by the American Council on Exercise, said that “[a]dding a weighted vest to your workout routine [increases] the resistance and cardiovascular output, which may result in higher caloric burn. It forces your muscles to work harder, which can build muscular strength as well.”

Midlife clients often insist they’re doing “everything right,” yet workouts may start to feel harder to recover from and progress becomes less predictable. A new study of highly trained endurance athletes offers a useful window into what may be driving that experience—and why it’s not simply a motivation issue.

A 10-minute, all-out workout doesn’t just raise the heart rate—it changes what’s circulating in the bloodstream in ways that may influence how cancer cells behave. This article examines new research on the anti-cancer benefits of exercise, and shows you how to translate it into practical, evidence-based coaching conversations that resonate with clients.

New Year’s fitness resolutions often mean crowded gyms and eager clients. Take advantage of peak motivation levels to set clients up for long-term success and sustainable fitness habits.

Overall eating patterns mean more than individual foods or nutrients in isolation. Read on for an evidence-based exploration of how good nutrition supports a healthy and active lifestyle.

Sleep is at the cornerstone of health and wellness, ensuring better cognitive and physical performance, recovery, immune health and longevity, which is why the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has developed the Sleep & Recovery Coach Course in collaboration with Nick Lambe, known as “the online sleep coach.”

The misconception that muscle can be lean or bulky lies in its appearance. “When people (say ‘lean’), they’re usually describing a look — muscle that appears more defined because there is less body fat covering it,” Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., chief executive officer at the American Council on Exercise, tells TODAY.com.

If you’re on the hunt for an effective tool to help you achieve your fitness goals, it could be just a click away on your smartphone. A wide range of workout and fitness apps make it simple to work up a sweat, build strength and stay motivated in any place at any time.

At its core, successful weight loss requires a calorie deficit, which can be achieved in one of three ways: reducing calorie intake, increasing calorie expenditure via exercise, or a combination of both. Here's a cheat-sheet of the best calorie-burning exercises to help you optimize your time and effort, according to the American Council on Exercise. (FYI: the range of calories burned used for this list is estimated for a 125- to 185-pound person.)