ACE Blogs

Could some of the passion and enthusiasm you feel as a group fitness instructor actually turn off some potential participants? Fitness pro Shannon Fable has some challenging ideas for GFIs, explaining that many of our industry’s tried-and-true practices may not be the best way to encourage the masses to enjoy the benefits of being physically active.

There has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of diabetes over the past several decades, which makes it increasingly likely that you will work with clients who have some form of diabetes. Here is a basic primer on how insulin affects the body and the different types of diabetes you may encounter among your clients.

As a fitness professional, you need a good working knowledge of anatomy so you can design safe and effective exercise programs for your clients. You need to know this information to be able to pass your exam as well. In this second installment of an ongoing series, we look at the muscles that move the arm at the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

This is the fourth installment of an ongoing series highlighting how people in a wide range of industries are using their ACE Health Coach certification to expand their careers. Here, Beth Read explains why she was inspired to become an ACE Health Coach, and how the certification has increased her ability to help patients in her work as a family nurse practitioner.

There is a lot of buzz around metabolic training these days, but few understand how to really maximize the benefits that come from this type of training. Fitness pro Shana Martin explains how to help your clients get the “biggest bang” for their workout buck and offers a quick and effective workout that is designed to accomplish a large amount of work in a very short amount of time.

It is a common misconception that overweight and obese individuals should stick with gentler forms of yoga, rather than attempt more vigorous styles like Ashtanga or Iyengar. Yoga expert Elizabeth Kovar explains why standing asanas are far more effective for these clients and participants, particularly when it comes to enhancing flexibility and supporting weight-loss efforts.

If you train clients at higher altitudes—or to participate in activities at high altitude—it is essential that you understand the factors that need to be considered. Not only is there less oxygen available at higher altitudes, there is greater potential for reduced physical performance. Here is a quick review of the special considerations for training at altitude, along with tips on how to spot signs of altitude sickness.

Eating out can offer great taste and convenience, but it can also mean a lot of unwanted fat and calories. In this ongoing series, we take your favorite restaurant dishes and given them a healthy—yet still tasty—makeover, which you can make right at home. Next up: P.F. Changs Chicken Fried Rice

As a fitness professional, you need a good working knowledge of anatomy so you can design safe and effective exercise programs for your clients. As a result, you also need to know this information to be able to pass your exam as well. In the first of an ongoing series, we’ll look at the movements of numerous body parts, beginning with the muscles that move the scapulae.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the hottest things in fitness right now, but it can seem out of reach for those who need to limit the stress on their joints. Fitness pro Stephanie Thielen explains why the pool might just be the perfect environment for HIIT workouts and offers up a fun and creative workout to help you start reaping the benefits of this highly effective training method.