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Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam

Group exercise adds an unparalleled level of enthusiasm and motivation for all participants.

The ACE® Group Fitness Instructor Certification is designed for fitness professionals teaching any form of exercise in a group setting.

By becoming an ACE-certified Group Fitness Instructor, you will:

  • Feel secure in your future, as ACE-certified group fitness instructors are known to possess the highest standards of excellence
  • Be better equipped to inspire, motivate and educate your clients to change their health and fitness behaviors for the long-term
  • Remain confident with the career-long support you receive from ACE

Exam Fees

Discover how much it will cost to register for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Exam.

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Exam Dates & Locations

Find a testing center near you along with dates you can take the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam.

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Exam Day Blog Posts

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Exam Content Outline

The Group Fitness Instructor Content Outline is essentially a blueprint for the exam. All exam questions are based on this outline, which may also be found in the appendix of the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Manual.

Download the Exam Content Outline (PDF 110 KB)

Certification Candidate Handbook

The ACE Certification Candidate Handbook is your complete guide to being an ACE-certified Group Fitness Instructor, from information on certification exams to requirements for maintaining your certification.

Download the Certification Candidate Handbook (PDF 2.1 MB)

What Should I Expect on Exam Day?

The ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification is designed for fitness professionals teaching any form of exercise to apparently healthy individuals in a group setting. Passing the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam demonstrates you possess the foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to teach a safe and effective group fitness class, no matter what type of modality.

 

What's the exam format?

The ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam follows the same format as all other ACE certification exams with 150 multiple choice questions. The ACE-GFI Certification exam does not have a written simulation exam; only the ACE Personal Trainer Certification has this second exam component.

 

How is the exam scored?

Of the 150 questions, 125 are scored and equated to a scaled score between 200 and 800 points. Candidates who achieve a score of 500 points or better will earn the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification. The remaining 25 questions are experimental to see how they perform prior to being introduced as scored items on a future exam.

 

What’s covered on the exam?

The exam content outline for the Group Fitness Instructor Certification is broken into four content domains, with a set percentage of questions falling into each domain as follows:

  • Domain I: Exercise Programming and Class Design (49% of questions)

     

  • Domain II: Group Instructional Methods (31% of questions)

     

  • Domain III: Group Leadership Methods (14% of questions)

     

  • Domain IV: Professional Responsibilities (6% of questions)