This year marks a milestone in the history of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), our 40th anniversary. Since 1985, ACE has been a catalyst for change in health and fitness.We’ve grown from a small certifying body focused on aerobics safety into a global leader in health and fitness education. Join us as we reflect on our journey, while setting our sights on a future filled with innovation, inclusivity and limitless possibilities—40 Forward!

Our Legacy of Movement

ACE began in 1985 as the IDEA Foundation, which was established to bring safety and credibility to the fast-growing fitness industry. As group exercise took off, so did the need for qualified professionals. We met that moment with the first nationally recognized certification for aerobics instructors, laying the groundwork for a more informed, empowered fitness community.

By 1992, we had become the American Council on Exercise—a name that matched our expanding mission to set the gold standard in certification, education and public advocacy for physical activity.

In the 2000s, ACE strengthened its role in public health, partnering with organizations like the American Heart Association, AARP and the International Association of Fire Fighters. Together, we confronted chronic disease and championed the power of movement as medicine.

The 2010s and early 2020s marked a new era of innovation. ACE introduced the ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) Model, deepened our focus on behavior change and co-founded the Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals (CREP). In 2020, we launched the ACE Mover Method™, a client-centered philosophy that empowers individuals to take ownership of their health—one step, one decision, one movement at a time.

Click here to dive into the stories, milestones and momentum behind ACE’s 40 Forward celebration.

Empowering Movement Across the Globe

For 40 years, ACE has been at the forefront of empowering hundreds of thousands of exercise professionals to inspire healthier lifestyles.

In just one year, from July 2024 through June 2025, ACE Pros served millions of individuals*:

*Figures based on the number of ACE Certified Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors, Health Coaches and Medical Exercise Specialists and the average number of client sessions and classes per week. Averages are based on independent survey data collected from ACE Certified Professionals.

The Future of Movement Starts Here

Thank you for being part of our 40-year journey. Together, we can shape the next era of health and fitness. Let’s move forward stronger and brighter than ever before.

• Share your story: ACE Pro All Stars. 
• Share free ACE resources with your clients, colleagues and community. 
• Read the annual ACE Impact Report. 
• Follow us on social media (@acefitness).
• Celebrate with us on social media by sharing posts on your personal handles.
• Get your community moving with this free course: Community Physical Activity Leader.

Help Us Celebrate 40 Years of Moving People Forward

As we celebrate ACE’s 40th anniversary, we want to highlight the incredible professionals—like YOU!—who have made this journey possible.

Whether you've been certified for six months or since the beginning, your story is part of our legacy—and what comes next. Share your ACE journey, milestones and the impact you’ve made in a social media post to help inspire others and celebrate all we’ve achieved together.

Here’s how to join the celebration on social media:

• Post about a personal milestone, a proud professional achievement or how your ACE certification helped you grow and support others. In your post, let your community know how long you’ve been ACE Certified and what that journey has meant to you. 
• Include a personal photo or video of a training moment, a class in action or simply you doing what you do best—getting people moving! 
• You can search for ACE Fitness or ACE 40 Forward in GIPHY to use ACE branded stickers in your post. Or feel free to add your ACE digital badge available in your MyACE account.
• Make sure to use the hashtags, #ACE40Forward and #ACEPro, so we can see and celebrate your post!
• Tag us @acefitness so we can engage with your story and amplify your voice.

Need Inspiration?

Here are some examples of social media posts that you can customize and share on your social media channels:

• Celebrating 40 years of ACE—and <insert your number of years with ACE> my own. Proud to be an ACE Certified Pro, helping others move with confidence and live healthier lives.
• ACE gave me the foundation I needed to turn passion into purpose. As an ACE Certified Pro for <insert your number of years with ACE> years, I’ve helped clients build strength, confidence and lasting habits. Here’s to 40 years of movement—and many more to come!
• As an ACE Certified Pro, I get to witness real, lasting change in my clients’ lives through my practice—and it all started with my certification. Cheers to 40 years of ACE and moving people forward.