Press Room Topics

Press Room Topics

Press Room

From Legwarmers to Virtual Fitness, American Council on Exercise (ACE) Celebrates 40 Years of Getting People Moving

Posted: Aug 06, 2025 in ACE Press Releases

San Diego, Calif., August 6, 2025 – From neon-colored leotards and dance workout videotapes to fitness apps and virtual coaching, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) celebrates 40 years of championing physical activity and expanding access to health and fitness opportunities worldwide.  

Since its inception in 1985, ACE has grown from setting safety standards for aerobic dance instructors to becoming a global leader in health and fitness education and certification, with over 90,000 ACE-certified professionals living and working in more than 110+ countries.  

“A lot of things have changed in the health and fitness industry over the past four decades, but one thing has remained the same: ACE’s commitment to helping all people make healthy lifestyle choices and build sustainable habits that will ultimately help them live long and fulfilling lives,” said CEO Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., FACSM, who has been with the organization since 2001. “We are very proud of our journey and excited to continue advancing health and well-being through the power of movement.” 

From the aerobics craze of the 1980s to today’s data-driven and digital fitness solutions, ACE has consistently led the way. Key milestones over the decades include:  

  • 1985: Launched as the “IDEA Foundation” to establish certification standards for aerobics instructors.   

  • 1990s: Rebranded as the American Council on Exercise and emerged as a trusted resource and for the public and professionals—earning the title "America’s Workout Watchdog" from the Wall Street Journal.  

  • 2000s: Earned NCCA accreditation for its four primary certification programs, meeting the same rigorous standards used to evaluate credentials for healthcare professionals like registered dietitians and nurse practitioners. Aligning with these standards marked a critical step toward greater recognition by healthcare providers and set the stage for broader acceptance of exercise professionals as part of the healthcare continuum.   

  • 2010s: Took on leadership and advisory roles in high-profile initiatives, including First Lady Michelle Obama’s Joining Forces, the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) advisory panel for the Global Action Plan for Physical Activity Initiative. 

  • 2020s:  Strengthened collaborations with organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Special Olympics International, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Launched innovative frameworks such as the ACE Mover Method and ACE RRAMP Approach to elevate professional practice and support client success.  

“Looking ahead ACE will remain focused on delivering science-based education to support exercise professionals and people from all walks of life,” said Amanda Cass, ACE president and chief operating officer. “We will also continue our long-standing commitment to the ACE mission to promote access to health and fitness resources while encouraging innovation within the fitness industry.” 

As ACE celebrates its 40th anniversary, the organization reaffirms its commitment to building a healthier world through movement—supporting professionals, partnering with like-minded advocates for physical activity, and empowering individuals at every step of their health and wellness journey.  

###  

About the American Council on Exercise (ACE)  

Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been the leading non-profit education and certification provider for health coaches and exercise professionals in the United States and around the world. With more than 90,000 highly respected certified health coaches and exercise professionals, ACE Certified Professionals are on the ground daily helping people move, stay active and make lasting lifestyle behavior changes to build healthier communities. 

Headquartered in San Diego, ACE collaborates with public health partners to educate people of all backgrounds about the importance of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors; advocates for public policies to increase physical activity opportunities; and supports scientific research that investigates the efficacy of behavior-change interventions and the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends. Learn more at acefitness.org.  

More ACE Press Releases