Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been committed to providing fitness education and certification to professionals and practitioners alike. ACE is the largest nonprofit fitness education organization in the world, with over 50,000 certified professionals, and is among the most respected organizations within the fitness industry. By continually setting certification standards, ACE educates and protects the public from unqualified fitness professionals and ineffective fitness products, programs, and trends.
In the past 25 years, ACE has become a health and fitness resource for those who provide safe and effective exercise instruction and promote physical activity. Long known for its certification programs and public outreach, ACE educates, develops, serves, and gives consumers the tools necessary to reach personal fitness goals and advance their careers. In 2003, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited all ACE certification programs. The accreditation is a benchmark as to how certification programs should be conducted, further reinforcing the value of an ACE certification.
ACE has established collaborative relationships with several health and fitness advocacy groups and educational institutions in supporting physical activity and fitness for all. In 2003, the United States Sports Academy partnered with ACE to provide continuing education courses in the areas of sport, health, and fitness management to ACE certified professionals. Twenty-seven Academy courses have been designated by ACE as “ACE-approved.” These courses not only provide ACE professionals the opportunity to fulfill their ongoing educational needs, but also provide excellent preparation for the ACE certification exam.
Due to increased growth in the sport and fitness industry, fitness professionals and coaches are encouraged, and often required, to obtain continuing education units (CEUs) through seminars and courses as they can be used for salary increments, job promotions, and maintaining other certifications. With the increased cost of graduate and undergraduate programs, obtaining CEUs is a cost-effective way to improve one’s professional standing. The Academy is a leading provider of CEUs and has delivered sport education programs nationally and internationally; in fact, more than a quarter-million people in over 60 countries have participated in Academy programs.
You can learn more about ACE certifications and the ACE certification exam at www.acefitness.org. For more information about the Academy’s CEU provider program, visit www.ussa.edu.
Ms. Smith is the Associate Dean of Continuing Education and Distance Learning at the United States Sports Academy. She is a former professional tennis player and ranked among the top 200 teaching professionals by the Professional Tennis Registry. She holds a master’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science/Sport Psychology.
References
American Council on Exercise. (2010). ACE Educational Partnership Program. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/university/default.aspx