Since first introducing the ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) Model several years ago—and then updating it in 2020 with the publication of The Exercise Professional’s Guide to Personal Training—ACE has continued to develop practical resources to help ACE Certified Professionals maximize their impact on the lives and well-being of their clients and participants. Part of that 2020 update included the introduction of the ACE Mover Method™ and the ACE ABC Approach™, which were created to help personal trainers implement supportive behavior-change strategies in a one-on-one setting.

As Sabrena Jo, PhD, an exercise and health scientist with ACE and one of the architects behind the ACE Mover Method, explains, “It was a way to enhance communication, which would hopefully enhance rapport and deepen the client–trainer relationship.”

Since then, research has supported the effectiveness of the ACE Mover Method (including the use of the ACE ABC Approach) as a successful strategy for facilitating lifestyle changes for both the general population and vulnerable populations that are often left out of research studies, including racial and ethnic groups, older adults and college students.

While the ACE ABC Approach can be used when talking to participants individually before and after class, it was not designed for use in group settings. “In the group exercise world,” Dr. Jo explains, “there aren’t really any recommendations or guidelines on how to foster motivation. My research for my PhD dissertation was along those lines. It was about optimizing motivation in the exercise environment, specifically for group fitness.”

Dr. Jo, who earned her PhD in the psychology of health and physical activity, created the ACE RRAMP Approach as an extension of her dissertation research in an effort to provide group fitness instructors (GFIs) with a practical tool they can use before, during and after class sessions to optimize the group experience and maximize adherence and motivation. In fact, in addition to GFIs, the ACE RRAMP Approach may be useful for facility owners and fitness managers to keep in mind as they work to create the ideal environment for participant success.

The research supporting Dr. Jo’s work dates back to the 1980s, when John G. Nicholls developed something called the “Achievement Goal Theory,” which is a contextual framework that helps coaches and educators shape the group environment in a way that enhances motivation. While the principles were originally developed for children in classrooms, the work has since extended into physical education, sports and athletics, and finally to the exercise setting.

“My idea was,” explains Dr. Jo, “let’s take all of that complex research and make it simple enough that group fitness instructors can implement it during their class sessions to create that type of environment so that people are encouraged and their motivation is sparked enough to keep them coming back for more.”

And isn’t that what we’re all hoping for—group exercise classes that are dynamic and thriving, and full of excited and engaged participants? The ACE RRAMP Approach may be the key to turning that vision into a reality.

A Caring and Task-involving Climate

So, what does that environment look and feel like? It is both task-involving and caring.

In a task-involving climate, individual effort and improvement, as well as camaraderie among peers, are emphasized. This focus reduces feelings of competition and intimidation, helps build intrinsic motivation and is the foundation of the ACE RRAMP Approach.

Meanwhile, caring climates exist when individuals treat one another with mutual respect and kindness and when they feel a sense of belonging and like they are an important part of the group experience. This concept is an extension of the work of Nel Noddings, who published several highly regarded books on the philosophy of education.

Caring is a two-way street between the carer and the person being cared for. In the right group exercise environment, for example, the participants feel cared for by the instructor and the instructor feels cared for by the participants. This contributes to camaraderie and an optimally supportive environment.

A caring and task-involving climate can help participants develop a positive relationship with physical activity, the fitness facility, the instructor and their fellow participants.

The ACE RRAMP Approach

Every time you interact with a class participant before, during and after class is an opportunity to utilize coaching skills to help build rapport while positioning the participant as an active partner in their behavior-change journey. The ACE RRAMP Approach helps to build an environment that recognizes and serves everyone who shows up to participate in class, and its tenets can be weaved into pre-class interactions, introductions, programming, cues, class closings and post-class interactions.

RRAMP is an acronym for the five “ingredients” that make it possible to build an environment and experience that considers and serves everyone who participates in class.

R – Respect

R – Recognition

A – Alignment

M – Mistakes

P – Participant

R = Respect

The first R in the ACE RRAMP Approach—Respect—is a reminder that each class participant should feel valued. Each participant in every class deserves, and should receive, the same amount of care. More importantly, the participants should, at all times, believe this is the case. Their experience should be as rich as that of the person in front of, behind or next to them in class.

Keep this question in mind when creating, scripting and delivering classes:

How can I create a kind and respectful environment?

Here are some ideas to help you accomplish this:

Arrive with enough time to get situated before participants begin to show up and be ready to greet as many people as possible when participants start to arrive. Greetings should be made with open body language, a warm smile and a genuine appreciation of their presence.

During the introduction to class, consider building in a request for each class member to acknowledge another. For example, it may be as simple as including, “Please turn to a person beside or behind you and introduce yourself,” right before the warm-up begins.

Once class begins, intentionally focus on cueing toward all rows and all corners of the room. No matter where someone is in the room or on their journey, they should receive the instruction and encouragement needed to believe you created the class with them in mind.

When closing out the class, include sincere appreciation for all participants and, when possible, encourage class members to do so, as well. If possible, keep the music playing once the class is complete and hold off on clean-up. Instead, position yourself near the door or wherever participants will go to put away their equipment and seek out two or three participants to whom you will express your gratitude individually.

R = Recognition

The second R in the ACE RRAMP Approach—Recognition—signifies that effort and improvement should be prioritized and honored. Specific acknowledgments, instead of general statements such as “good job” or “well done,” are essential. Aim to recognize individuals’ achievements for all behaviors that contribute to positive outcomes of the class, such as showing up, trying something new, smiling or helping another participant. In other words, you must look beyond achievements that focus solely on physical outcomes. Keep this question in mind when creating, scripting and delivering classes:

How can I create opportunities for recognition?

Consider the following ideas:

Whenever possible, make a note of class participants’ milestones, such as birthdays, anniversaries, streaks (i.e., the number of classes or weeks in a row they have participated), weight selection in a strength class, mastery of a move or other goals of which you might be aware. Then, as participants are arriving, seek out at least one person and acknowledge one of these milestones.

When creating the opening statement, include genuine congratulations for attendance. Acknowledge that participants have choices, and the act of showing up is a reason to celebrate.

Throughout the class, point out any improvements you see, being careful to include recognition for all individuals rather than focusing on a select few “star” performers. Whether the progress is from set to set or from one week to the next, publicly commenting on participants’ progress toward expressed goals, or task-oriented improvements such as completing all the repetitions in a challenging set of exercises, promotes a positive motivational climate.

Encourage participants to congratulate themselves and others. For example, you might say, “Give yourself a literal pat on your own back—you just completed the most challenging part of class!” Or, ask each participant to turn to someone beside them and give a thumbs up for finishing a set.

Finally, during the closing, provide specific guidance that helps participants focus on what went well in class, which will help increase confidence and get them excited about returning. Then, find at least one or two individuals to congratulate for specific achievements made during class as everyone is departing.

A = Alignment

The A in the ACE RRAMP Approach stands for Alignment. This does not refer to physical alignment or including cues focused on proper exercise execution, though this is certainly an integral part of a GFI’s job. Creating a caring and task-involving climate requires looking at alignment from a different perspective. Alignment, in this instance, serves to remind you that participants should feel like they are part of an alliance with their classmates. Your job is to ensure that cooperation is fostered and valued in their classes.

Keep this question in mind when creating, scripting and delivering classes:

How can I create the feeling that the entire group is in this together?

Here are some ideas worth considering:

Creating the feeling of camaraderie can begin before class. Attempt to introduce any new participants to one of the regulars and ask the veterans to help  new class members become acclimated by helping them set up and giving them an “insider’s perspective” on the experience. The new participant will immediately see that they have an ally in class.

Provide a moment toward the end of the warm-up when you encourage all participants to keep in mind that your role is that of the group facilitator. You will be leading the way, but the entire group is in this together.

Throughout the class, be sure to use inclusive cueing when appropriate. Try to cue using the pronoun “we” (versus “I”) to reinforce the sense of teamwork. If it feels authentic, calling the class a team or squad can help, too.

While it may not work in every class, changing the group’s orientation from time to time can enhance their alliance. Try to identify a point in class that works to turn the group toward one another and perform a drill, exercise or set. Encourage eye contact and suggest they send positive energy to someone across the room. If this will not work with the entire group, consider doing so with smaller groups or in pairs.

Create cooperative games or interactions in class versus competitions. Instead of pitting one participant against another, find ways to create drills that are team oriented or cooperative.

Finally, as participants are putting away equipment and preparing to head out the door, suggest they help one another with clean up and let someone else know how much their presence impacted them during class.

M = Mistakes

The M in the ACE RRAMP Approach stands for Mistakes, which are inevitable in the group fitness setting. Mistakes should be considered a part of learning by both you and the participants. You can take group exercise instruction to the next level by acknowledging mistakes, being supportive when they occur and anticipating and preparing for them in the class experience.

Keep this question in mind when creating, scripting and delivering classes:

How can I ensure mistakes are an acceptable part of the learning experience?

Consider the following ideas:

Before class begins, ask participants about limitations or preferences they may have so you can strategize before class gets started. For example, if you see a new participant, introduce yourself and provide an overview of what is to come. Also, ask if there are any concerns based on injuries, likes, dislikes or preferences related to what they are looking for in the class experience.

Then, during the introduction, build in an acknowledgment of how mistakes will show improvement or effort throughout the class. Be sure to frequently remind participants that mistakes are a sign of growth, learning or giving maximal effort.

Program classes with everyone’s success in mind by choosing exercises, choreography or sequences that will be doable by most participants, with opportunities for increasing or decreasing the challenge without judgment. If possible, repeat exercises and build in practice opportunities during the first set.

At the end of class, ask participants to identify one thing they’d like to improve during the next class by lightheartedly recalling any mistakes. Remind everyone that mistakes should be remembered without judgement and that doing everything perfectly is not the goal.

P = Participant

The last piece of the ACE RRAMP Approach puzzle is P, which stands for Participant. This shines a light on how each person’s uniqueness contributes to the overall class experience. More specifically, it is a reminder that the class you are teaching with any given group can happen only once. You will never have this particular opportunity again—it is not possible to replicate—so you should treat the event as the special, unique occasion it truly is.

Keep this question in mind when creating, scripting and delivering classes:

How can I ensure that each individual understands their unique and important role in the class?

Here are some ideas to help you accomplish this:

As participants arrive, choose one or two people to greet privately. Focus on acknowledging each participant’s presence, uniqueness and contribution in previous classes or, if they are newcomers, greet them and tell them how exciting it is that they have joined the group for the class that is about to start.

Then, during the class opening, remind participants that never again will they be in this class, at this moment, with these people, under these circumstances. Encourage each member to recognize the gifts they bring to the group and celebrate the contributions of others throughout the experience.

Personalized cueing reinforces the unique part each participant plays. Consider using the word “your” instead of this, that and those. For example, you could say, “Focus on moving your hand-weights in a slow and controlled manner.”

Programming to honor each unique individual is more challenging. Rethinking the way to present progressions, regressions or modifications will benefit everyone in attendance. You can allow participants to embrace their uniqueness when considering different versions of exercises as tools, resources, options and choices. To make this work, explain the goal of the activity and provide some options for how a participant might choose to get there. For example, if doing a set of push-ups, explain how many sets, repetitions and rest periods there will be, then explain the intended outcome (e.g., “to feel as if you couldn’t do one more at the end of the set”). Provide options and allow each participant to make the best choice for themself in the moment.

At the end of class, encourage participants to reflect on what they brought to the room that day. Or, thank everyone in the room for the unique experience the group created together. Also, be sure to remind them it would not have been the same without every person present.

Strategies for Implementing the ACE RRAMP Approach

While it is important to break down each letter in the ACE RRAMP Approach for understanding, keep in mind that the lines between the five elements are not rigid. When considering specific ways to integrate Respect, Recognition, Alignment, Mistakes and Participant into classes, avoid treating this like a bullet-pointed “to-do list.”

Consider the following plan to implement the ACE RRAMP Approach and realize the full benefits over time:

Step 1: Develop a deep understanding of the ACE RRAMP Approach as a whole, then each of the elements individually. Keep the five letters in the back of your mind while teaching.

Step 2: Next, commit to integrating one element at a time. Start by layering them in before class and during class openings. Then, try using one at the end and after class. Finally, incorporate an element into cueing and programming.

Step 3: Set goals to use all five ACE RRAMP Approach elements in one class section (e.g., warm-up, conditioning segment and cool-down).

Step 4: Attempt to weave the entire approach throughout the class. Then, over time, plan to expand, evaluate and improve your use of the ACE RRAMP Approach.

Using the ACE RRAMP Approach to Encourage Inclusion

ACE is proud of its ongoing efforts to improve equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), both within the organization itself and in the fitness industry at large. The ACE RRAMP Approach can be viewed as part of those efforts. Proper implementation of the strategies of the ACE RRAMP Approach will go a long way toward ensuring EDI in a particular class setting or group exercise space.

“If done well, the ACE RRAMP Approach can really enable the GFI to create an inclusive environment, because every participant is recognized as an important part of the group,” explains Dr. Jo. “And, when you recognize someone in a caring way as an important and contributing part of the group, then that’s inclusion, regardless of ability or skill. Taken together, ACE’s EDI efforts and the ACE RRAMP Approach are really synergistic and powerful.”

As an exercise leader, it is both your responsibility and your privilege to help people feel supported and positive about their efforts and where they are on their personal health and wellness journey, and the ACE RRAMP Approach can serve as a practical method to help you meet that responsibility with a sense of caring, empowerment and inclusivity. 

Expand Your Knowledge

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