AARP Fitness and Wellness Program

FAQs - AARP Fitness and Wellness Program

 

What is the AARP Fitness and Wellness Program?

ACE has been selected by AARP as the exclusive provider of personal training for its millions of members. Focused on prevention, this program will provide information, resources and fitness services to help AARP members lead active, healthier lifestyles. In November 2010, the program was expanded and opened up to all ACE-certified professionals including currently ACE-certified personal trainers, group fitness instructors, advanced health & fitness specialists and lifestyle & weight management coaches. Fitness professionals set their own rates for one-on-one training, semi-private/small group training, group fitness and yoga classes sessions and agree to provide a 20% discount along with a special offer to AARP members for either a free initial fitness consultation or free group exercise class. All fitness professionals that enroll in the program will receive 0.2 free ACE eCredits (worth 0.2 CECs, a retail value of $39.99) to use towards eligible continuing education courses.

 

Why did ACE Pursue this Opportunity?

With shared missions, both ACE and AARP were interested in providing a service to a population that has been underserved by the fitness industry as a whole and who have the means, motivation and desire to enhance their quality of life through physical activity. In addition, ACE is committed to creating opportunities for the fitness professional that will allow them to earn the professional respect and compensation they deserve. We believe that our relationship with AARP assists us in both of those areas.

 

What is AARP?

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social welfare organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.

AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP Viva, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and the website, aarp.org.

AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life as people age, leading positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service. Membership in AARP is open to any person age 50 or above.

For more information, visit www.aarp.org.

 

Are AARP Members Seeking Services of Personal Trainers and other Fitness Professionals?

Yes. AARP’s millions of members are between the ages of 50-75, and 25% of those members have specifically expressed an interest in learning more about health and fitness – a valuable audience of pre-qualified prospects. This led AARP to develop the AARP Fitness and Wellness Program offering discounted services to their members including access to health clubs and personal training.

 

Why would an ACE-certified Fitness Professional Want to Be Involved?

This valuable opportunity gives ACE-certified fitness professionals access to America's fastest growing population segment. Today, the 50+ market makes up 41% of the U.S. population and controls 75% of the nation's wealth¹.

This is an ACE-certified professional's opportunity to share their passion and knowledge with individuals that are redefining expectations on age, vitality and life, while growing their business and gaining access to free continuing education. Through the program, ACE professionals will have their services communicated to current and potential AARP members leveraging the powerful brand awareness of AARP.

Program advantages include:

• Privilege…A measure of exclusivity for the ACE professional.
• Access… Millions members of one of the most respected membership organizations in the world will have access to ACE-certified professionals.
• Focus…Allows the fitness professional to focus on what they enjoy most and reap the benefits of additional marketing.
• Connection…Assistance in connecting the ACE-certified Fitness Professional directly with consumers (one of the most frequently requested services from our professionals).
• Value…Helps to provide you with cost-effective solutions that assist in growing your fitness business and continuing your fitness education.

¹Source: US Census Bureau: The Conference Board

 

Who is Eligible to Participate?

The program is available only to enrolled fitness professionals holding a current ACE Personal Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Instructor, ACE Lifestyle & Weight Management Coach, and/or ACE Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist certifications along with a current CPR and AED certificate. Fitness professionals must also present proof of a $1 million liability insurance umbrella policy.

 

What if an ACE-certified Fitness Professional Needs to Purchase Liability Insurance?

Fitness professionals receive discounted liability insurance as a benefit of being ACE certified. See Discount Liability Insurance Program Rates & Details.

 

How Can I Renew My CPR and AED certificate?

The ACE/AHA Heartsaver First with CPR and AED Workshop is one way that you can earn an updated CPR and AED certificate.

 

How Does the Program Work?

There is an annual $50 enrollment fee to join the program that includes 0.2 free ACE eCredits (a retail value of $39.99). Fitness professionals set their own rates but must agree to provide a 20% discount off their fitness services - one-on-one training, semi-private/small group training, group fitness sessions and yoga classes. Fitness professionals also agree to offer either a free initial consultation or one free group fitness class to AARP members. This provides a great marketing opportunity to help attract new customers and it allows them to get familiar with your services and what to expect. When the participation requirements are met (i.e., current ACE certification, AED and CPR certificate and liability insurance) and the small annual enrollment fee is paid, the trainer’s online profile will then be made visible to AARP members nationwide who can find and view the profile through a zip code search. AARP members can access information about the program on the AARP fitness website as well as through the ACE Get Fit consumer website. The AARP Fitness and Wellness Program is promoted to AARP members through a variety of public relations efforts and print and online advertising.

 

What Will My Profile Listing Contain?

The ACE fitness professional profile listing resides on the ACE website and is also accessible through AARP’s website visited by millions of individuals each month and through the AARP Fitness and Wellness Program. The profile provides the opportunity for ACE-certified fitness professionals to list their rates, special offers, types of training sessions, certifications, specialties, years of experience, languages spoken, a short biography and a photo. The listing provides a unique chance to market skills, knowledge, experience and background, making it easy for an AARP member to quickly match their needs to the fitness professional’s training personality, experience and qualifications.

 

How Does an ACE-certified Fitness Professional Get Contacted for Services?

Once an AARP member selects a fitness professional from the profile listing, they click a button to contact the trainer via email notifying him/her of the request. The AARP member does not see the fitness professional’s email address as that information is kept private until the fitness professional responds. The trainer can then review their initial inquiry and respond to the AARP member directly through the online system to discuss rates and discounts, special offers, client fitness goals, schedule, training packages and a time for the initial meeting.

 

When Can an ACE-certified Professional Start Training an AARP Member?

If an ACE-certified Professional is contacted by an AARP member, sessions can be scheduled and conducted immediately upon your mutually agreed upon schedule and the payment terms you set forth with the 20% discount applied and special offer extended. We recommend you use the free offer as a means of allowing AARP members to a chance to learn what to expect and test out the services before making a commitment. This can be a valuable marketing tool for you in securing clients in the program.

 

Where Does an ACE-certified Fitness Professional Train an AARP Member?

Fitness professionals will want to be prepared to train in a variety of settings - in homes, outside, or through contracted space in a studio or health club.

View alternative training settings.

With respect to "gym fees" or rent, ACE recognizes that there are still facilities that allow independent contractors to utilize their clubs for a fee (although it is far less common for a number of business, tax law and liability reasons that it has been in the past). Each individual working in that role will need to determine if an AARP member will be financially feasible for their given situation. ACE believes that the program can provide a number of ACE-certified professionals with the opportunity to build their fitness business and fully expects that many of them will provide the majority of their services to AARP members outside of the traditional gym setting.

 

How does an ACE-certified Fitness Professional Enroll in the Program?

Enrollment is done online at www.acefitness.org/aarp. If you have questions, please contact ACE Educational Services at 888-825-3636, ext 781.

 

What are the Training Packages Available to AARP Members?

Fitness professionals develop and price their own training packages for one-on-one training, semi-private/small group training, group fitness sessions and yoga classes.

 

How does an ACE-certified Fitness Professional Get Paid through the AARP Program?

To provide fitness professionals with greater flexibility and convenience, ACE no longer coordinates payment. Fitness professionals will simply arrange for payment as they do with all other clients using their preferred method.

 

What is the Pricing and Compensation for this Program?

ACE no longer coordinates pricing and compensation for the program, providing fitness professionals with greater flexibility to set their own rates. Fitness professionals will set their own rates and arrange for payment as they do with other clients. When both the AARP member and fitness professional agree to the fitness plan, the AARP member will pay the fitness professional directly according to the terms the fitness professional presents including the 20% discount along with a free special offer.

 

What is the Program Return Policy?

The enrollment fee for the AARP Fitness and Wellness Program is non-refundable.

 

How Do I Get My 0.2 Free ACE eCredits?

ACE fitness professionals will receive 0.2 free ACE eCredits (worth 0.2 CECs) upon enrollment in the ACE Trainer Program for AARP Members. The eCredits will automatically be dropped into the individual’s ACE account once they enroll. To access credits or check the credit balance, individuals must login to their ACE account at www.acefitness.org and under Continuing Education click on My eCredits. Eligible courses can be purchased by redeeming the eCredits and they’ll simply deduct from the account until all eCredits are used. Fitness professionals can feel confident knowing they have access to CECs needed for recertification, the flexibility of selecting from a variety of courses, and the savings going back in their pocket.

 

How Do I Purchase Courses Using ACE eCredits?

Login to the ACE website and visit the My ACE eCredits page. Select the "Available Courses" tab to browse eligible courses. Select the course(s) you would like and click the "Redeem" button. Redeemed courses can then be found within the "My Online Courses" section.

 

AARP Health is a collection of health-related products, services and insurance programs available through AARP. Neither AARP, nor its affiliates are the provider.