Press Room

San Diego, Calif., July 8, 2026 — The American Council on Exercise (ACE) proudly announces that Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, Chief Executive Officer of ACE, will be inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in August 2026. This distinguished honor recognizes Dr. Bryant’s decades of contributions to the health and fitness industry, as well as his leadership in advancing evidence-based practice, professional standards, and inclusive health initiatives.

Widely regarded as one of the health and fitness industry’s most respected thought leaders, Dr. Bryant has spent more than three decades advancing the science of exercise, elevating professional standards, and championing the role of physical activity in improving individual and community health.

The National Fitness Hall of Fame, housed within the National Fitness Museum, celebrates individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the fitness industry through leadership, innovation, and service.

The induction of Dr. Bryant places him among an esteemed group of pioneers whose work has helped shape the evolution of fitness, public health, and professional fitness education.

Dr. Bryant shared, “I am deeply honored to be inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. While this recognition bears my name, it reflects the contributions and support of many people throughout my career—including family members, mentors, colleagues, and partners who have shared in this journey. I am grateful to the National Fitness Hall of Fame for this recognition and proud to be included among such accomplished fellow inductees. This honor reinforces my commitment to advancing the role of physical activity and qualified health and fitness professionals in helping people move more, live healthier lives, and improve the health of communities around the world.”

“Dr. Bryant’s career exemplifies the very qualities the National Fitness Hall of Fame seeks to recognize—leadership, innovation, service, and a lifelong commitment to improving lives through physical activity,” said John Figarelli, founder of the National Fitness Hall of Fame. “His contributions have influenced generations of fitness professionals and helped strengthen the connection between exercise, healthcare, and public health. We are honored to welcome him into the Class of 2026.”

Dr. Bryant has built a career defined by scientific rigor, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to improving population health. As CEO of ACE, he has helped guide the organization’s evolution as a leading force in health and fitness education, advancing its mission to get people moving through education and certification, science-based research, thought leadership, strategic partnerships, and the development of accessible physical activity resources for the public.

Over more than two decades with ACE, Dr. Bryant has served in executive leadership roles ranging from Chief Science Officer to President and now Chief Executive Officer. Throughout that time, he has championed innovation, elevated professional standards, and strengthened ACE’s role as a trusted voice at the intersection of fitness, healthcare, and public health.

His influence extends well beyond ACE. Dr. Bryant’s work has informed and inspired fitness professionals, healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, and millions of individuals seeking healthier, more active lives.

“Cedric’s induction into the National Fitness Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the health and fitness profession,” said Amanda Cass, ACE President and chief operating officer. “His leadership, integrity, and passion for advancing health equity and evidence-based fitness continue to inspire our organization and the broader industry. Few individuals have done more to elevate the credibility, professionalism, and impact of our field.”

A nationally recognized educator, researcher, and author of more than 400 articles and 40 textbooks, Dr. Bryant has contributed extensively to the scientific and professional literature on exercise science, behavior change, healthy aging, and chronic disease prevention. 

He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and has served in numerous advisory and leadership roles across public health, medical fitness, and research organizations. His contributions include service supporting the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation initiative, the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Obesity Solutions Roundtable, among many others. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Bryant has championed the integration of fitness and healthcare, emphasizing the critical role that qualified exercise professionals play in addressing chronic disease, reducing health disparities, and improving quality of life. His work has helped elevate standards across the profession and reinforced the importance of science-backed guidance in delivering safe and effective exercise programming.

The induction ceremony will take place in August 2026 at the National Fitness Museum. Additional details regarding the event and the National Fitness Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced by the National Fitness Hall of Fame.

About 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.