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ACE Fitness

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ACE Certified
Group Fitness Instructor

Study Program

See Customer Reviews (109)

Ready to lead, motivate, and move a room full of people?

The ACE Group Fitness Instructor Study Program gives aspiring instructors everything they need to succeed. With high-quality learning materials, intelligent technology, interactive experiences, and dedicated support, you'll be fully prepared to earn your certification and confidently design and lead memorable group fitness classes that inspire participants and elevate their experience.

Starting at $49 today!
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Build the knowledge and skills to succeed

ACE self-paced, online study programs give you the foundational knowledge and practical skills to coach clients safely and effectively, setting you up for a rewarding and meaningful role in health and fitness.

Prepare confidently for certification

ACE Study Programs are designed to help you prepare for your exam through high-quality, evidence-based content, proven study methods, and dedicated support—so you can approach your exam with confidence.

Gain a competitive edge in health & fitness

Earning an ACE Credential sets you apart in an unregulated industry, opening the door for you to turn your passion into a profession, making a real impact on the lives of those in your community.

Choose your Group Fitness Instructor Study Program

View Prerequisites

Accredited by the NCCA, the gold standard in health and fitness.

If you have a background in health and fitness and are prepared to take the exam, you can register here.

*Digital eBooks compatible with desktops (Mac & PC), tablets and smartphones (iOS & Android) only. Cannot be printed.

Career pathways

The ACE Group Fitness Instructor pathway offers two credential options designed to support you at different stages of your career journey. The ACE Certificate is ideal for those exploring group fitness instruction as a potential profession, providing a strong foundation to begin working in health and fitness while leaving room for future growth. For those ready to fully commit to group fitness instruction as a career, the NCCA-accredited Certification represents a next-level credential that can open doors to top facilities and higher earning potential, helping you establish yourself as a trusted professional in the industry.

Explore Pathways

How it works

1. Choose your study program
2. Complete your coursework
3. Pass your ACE Exam
How You'll Learn
badge of ace group fitness instructor certification located on the ace fitness group fitness instructor certification webpage

Earn the most recognized group fitness instructor certification that opens doors.

Just some of the many in-demand classes you can teach:

  • Dance Fitness
  • Strength Training
  • Cardio Training
  • Yoga
  • Indoor Cycling
  • Aerobics
  • HIIT
  • Kickboxing
  • Sports Performance
  • Pilates
  • Martial Arts
  • Boot Camp
  • Tai Chi
  • Barre
  • Aquatic Exercise

Get paid to do what you love!

up to $100/hr

according to Glassdoor.com

12% expected increase

in Group Fitness Instructor Employment between 2022-2034

U.S. Department of Labor

What you'll learn with the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Study Program

The ACE Group Fitness Instructor Study Program will prepare you to lead memorable classes across the countless variations and opportunities that group fitness has to offer. Through the ACE RRAMP Approach™ you will gain the skills to empower class participants to improve their health, fitness and overall quality of life by creating a climate that fosters success. You will learn how to deliver dynamic classes that are inclusive and full of highly engaged participants.

Packed with exercise programming, motivation techniques, music selection, safety considerations and more, the program brings an application-based approach to training that will equip you with the latest instructional techniques, coaching skills and leadership strategies that are necessary to deliver effective and enjoyable classes. The program blends foundational, evidence-based knowledge of group fitness with the ACE Mover Method™, our signature behavior-change philosophy, helping you stand out as a compassionate trainer who empowers participants to lead their own fitness journey while allowing you to establish a long and rewarding career in the fitness industry.

Group Fitness Instructor Study Materials
Video
Demonstrations
Learning
Activities
Recorded
Webinars
Chapter
Quizzes
Practice
Tests
ACE Answers
Study Support

Gain an understanding of the role and scope of a Group Fitness Instructor, exercise and behavior-change principles, and the foundations of movement and healthy eating.

Learn choreographic methods and the basic components of a group fitness class; key considerations regarding apparel, equipment, and music; program design, including structuring and sequencing movements and developing a class blueprint; and onsite procedures and responsibilities.

Learn about participation centered instruction, including participant learning styles and the teaching of multilevel classes; teaching techniques and styles, including cueing strategies and leadership considerations; the specific considerations stemming from teaching classes outdoors and online; and working with participants with health considerations ranging from cardiac conditions to low-back pain.

Gain an understanding of class participant safety including injuries and medical emergencies, as well as the legal and professional guidelines that all Group Fitness Instructors must consider.

The groundbreaking ACE RRAMP Approach™ empowers participants to improve health, fitness and overall quality of life by creating a climate that fosters success. An acronym for respect, recognition, alignment, mistakes and participant–you'll gain a practical tool to use before, during and after class sessions to recognize and serve everyone who shows up to participate, optimizing the group experience and maximizing adherence and motivation.

90,000 ACE Certified Pros, 35 Million Lives Moved!

"ACE Certifications are unmatched! I've been proudly certified as an ACE Group Fitness Instructor for over 8 years. The study program is extremely helpful to succeed in your learning and work with clients. I highly recommend ACE to anyone just getting started or looking to take their career to the next level!"
Reena Vokoun ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor
"ACE is a highly reputable, accredited organization in group fitness, and I wanted the best certification around. I knew holding an ACE Certification would open important doors in my career. Getting certified with ACE is one of the best professional decisions I have ever made."
Catherine Raymond ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor
"ACE is the organization that everyone knows and respects and I wanted a certification that is both accredited and held in the highest regard. I can go anywhere and people in the industry know and respect my ACE Certification."
Michelle Basta Speers ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor

More than a certification

As a nonprofit, ACE is driven by a mission to get people moving. This starts with empowering health and fitness pros through science-backed education that combines fitness instruction and behavior change strategies to create meaningful, long-term impact in their communities by leading people to reach their unique health and fitness goals.

96%

Satisfaction rate with the ACE Study Program

11.7M

Client sessions led
by ACE Pros
in the past year

110+

Countries where ACE Pros are improving global health

Your purchase helps to get people moving. Learn More

Get a FREE sneak peek of the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Study Program

See the learning experience in action plus get a FREE chapter from the textbook.

Great news! Your FREE Sneak Peek is available.

Step 1:

Watch the Course Preview Video

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Step 2:

Download the Chapter Preview

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ACE Group Fitness Instructor Study Program FAQs

That's up to you! Most people study for around 3-6 months, though many study for longer. One thing to keep in mind is that your exam voucher has a redemption period of 6-months. While you can choose an exam date that's outside of the 6-month redemption period, you'll have to register for the exam before your voucher expires. Most exam sites and online proctoring may post available dates approximately 60 days in advance.

While there are no prerequisites to purchasing a study program, keep in mind that before you can register for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Exam, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Hold a current adult CPR and AED certificate with hands-on (in-person or virtual) skills check.* CPR/AED courses without skills check not accepted.
    • *AED only required in USA and Canada
  • Have completed high school or the equivalent

See our approved CPR/AED certification training here.

While there are no requirements for purchase, to sit for the exam and become an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, you must meet eligibility requirements, which include being at least 18 years old, completion of high school diploma (or the equivalent), having a current CPR/AED certification, and a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID)

Depending on which Study Program you choose, based on how you like to learn, you'll have the option of learning through:

  1. A digital textbook (Basic)
  2. A hardcopy and digital textbook (Plus)
  3. A hardcopy, digital and audiobook version of the textbook (Advantage)

With all Study Programs, you'll have access to ACE University (our core learning platform) and practice test(s).

With the Plus Study Program, you'll have access to three practice tests and to Live Q&A Webinars.

And with the Advantage Study Program you have access to four practice tests, Live Q&A Webinars, Section Quizzes and Exercise Science 101.

Learn More

Preparation involves studying comprehensive materials, including textbooks, online learning modules, and practice exams. Focusing on anatomy, exercise techniques, and class design principles will help you build the knowledge required to pass the exam successfully.

ACE provides a variety of study resources to suit different learning styles. These include digital and printed textbooks, video lectures, practice tests and quizzes, podcasts, and live ACE Study Coach led study webinars. Review the available study packages to find the one that best fits your needs.

While most people do pass the exam on their first time, it's perfectly okay if you don't! Here are some steps you can take if you need to retake your certification exam:

  1. Determine if you have a retake voucher, which you can find in your MyACE Account. If you don't have one, you can purchase an additional exam at a discounted retake fee via MyACE or by contacting one of our ACE Advisors. This price is valid for one year after your initial test date.
  2. When choosing a date to retake the exam, we recommend giving yourself about one week of review time for every ten points you are away from a passing score. So if your score is 480 out of a possible 800, for example, (meaning you're 20 points away from the minimum passing score of 500), allow about two weeks of review before your next exam.
  3. Reflect on your performance and consider any exam topics you felt underprepared to tackle.
  4. Review your exam score report and compare your domain performance to the Exam Content Outline. Review each domain and determine what areas need improvement.
  5. Use all your study materials, including videos and exercises, to help build confidence for the exam. Because no two people learn alike, we've provided study material in many different formats, so be sure to use all the resources available to you!
  6. Consider what went well during your initial studies and what you might do differently.
  7. Create a game plan for everything you want to do before you retake the exam. Writing down your plan may help create accountability.
  8. Join the ACE Study Coaches for a live Q&A Webinar to get your specific questions answered.

To become a certified group fitness instructor, you need strong communication skills, the ability to motivate and lead groups, and knowledge of exercise techniques and safety. A passion for fitness and the ability to adapt workouts for diverse skill levels are also essential.

With an ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification, you can teach a wide variety of classes, including yoga, dance-based fitness, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), indoor cycling, and strength training. This certification equips you to lead both in-person and virtual fitness classes.

CELEBRATE! You've now joined the highly respected ranks of 90,000+ ACE Certified Pros and hold the most recognized certification in the industry. Plus, we'll be providing support and guidance throughout your career, so you'll have access to the exclusive tools and resources you need to thrive as a health and fitness pro. Learn more about why it's great to be ACE Certified here.

No, provided you stay current on your continuing education credits (CECs) and renew on time. That means completing 20 hours of ACE-Approved CECs (2.0 CECs) during your two-year certification renewal cycles, or about 10 hours (1.0 CECs) per year. However, if you don't complete your 2.0 CECs and your certification expires, you will have to retake the exam. To avoid that scenario, check out our continuing education catalog and consider signing up for the CEC Power Pass.

Yes, the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification is recognized worldwide. Please check with your employer to ensure you meet their requirements.

Reviews

Danielle (ACE Professional)

Courtney (ACE Professional)

Chantel (ACE Professional)

Rachel (ACE Professional)

Kaileena (ACE Professional)

Colleen (ACE Professional)

Even with juggling a very full work/home life schedule, ACE made studying and getting prepared easy! I highly recommend the textbook for highlighting and underlining key points and the EOC tests were a great way to make sure important info was retained. The timeline you have is just enough to keep you accountable but not stress you out!

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Title

The core of your study program where you will receive step-by-step guidance from start to finish, moving from learning to applying. With an intuitive learning platform, compatible on any device, learning is at your fingertips. ACE U helps you plan, manage and track your course syllabus and offers engaging videos, ACE in Action demonstrations, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and your first practice test.

You have two options for your ACE Group Fitness Instructor Exam:

  1. ACE Group Fitness Instruction Certificate Exam (Open-book, non-proctored) — 100% online, open-book exam. This is a non-accredited certificate program.
  2. ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam (NCCA-accredited) — choose from an in-person proctored exam at a location near you, or an online exam through a Live Remote Proctor.
    Learn more about Live Remote Proctor here.

This exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an ACE Group Fitness Instruction Certificate.

Upon completion you will earn:

  • An ACE Group Fitness Instruction Certificate
  • Digital credentials to display online
  • The designations of:
    • ACE Group Fitness Instructor
    • ACE Pro
  • Access to exclusive ACE Pro Career Support

Exam details:

  • 100% online, open-book exam
  • 100 multiple choice questions
  • 3 hours to complete
  • Unlimited attempts to pass
  • Take whenever you're ready, no expiration date
  • Instant exam results and digital certificate delivery
  • Requires a score of 70% or greater to pass

This exam assesses if you meet the level of competence necessary to earn an NCCA-accredited ACE Group Fitness Certification—the highest level of excellence.

Upon completion you will earn:

  • An NCCA-accredited ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification
  • Digital credentials to display online
  • The designations of:
    • ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor
    • ACE Pro
  • Access to exclusive ACE Pro Career Support
  • Profile information on the Find an ACE Pro web page directory
  • Recognition on the U.S. Registry of Exercise Professionals (USREPS.org)

Exam details:

  • In-person or online, live proctored exam
  • 150 multiple choice questions
  • 3 hours to complete
  • Retake available
  • Instant exam results and digital certificate delivery
  • Requires a score of 500 or greater to pass

Test your readiness to take the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Exam. Number of tests vary based on your Study Program from one (1) to four (4). Each test is unique and can be taken as many times as you like.

Includes the latest research and packed with time-tested strategies, The Exercise Professional's Guide to Group Fitness Instruction delivers everything you'll need to create a dynamic class environment that is full of highly engaged participants—no matter the setting or type of class.

Hardcopy versions of the textbook are included in the Plus & Advantage Study Programs. The Audiobook is included in the Advantage Study Program.

Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers.

All Study Programs include access to:

  • Answers to common study questions
  • Video demonstrations and lectures
  • Exam preparation articles
  • ACE Exercise Library
  • Tools & calculators
  • Career forms

Additional ACE Answers study support is available based on the Study Program you choose.

Live Q&A Webinars allow you to get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. Plus, listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.

Quizzes help reinforce the course material from each section of the study program—so you can easily identify the topics you've already mastered and which to revisit before your exam.

This is a supplemental course designed to support your understanding of the anatomy and physiology concepts that serve as foundational knowledge for your career. The course is divided into convenient modules, so you can study more efficiently and effectively. It includes video lectures that will clarify more complex topics and learning activities that will help you practice these concepts in real time. A quiz is also included to help you test your knowledge.

The groundbreaking ACE RRAMP Approach™ empowers participants to improve health, fitness and overall quality of life by creating a climate that fosters success. An acronym for respect, recognition, alignment, mistakes and participant–you'll gain a practical tool to use before, during and after class sessions to recognize and serve everyone who shows up to participate, optimizing the group experience and maximizing adherence and motivation.

Enjoy free shipping with the Plus and Advantage Study Programs (only available in the U.S.)

Group Fitness Instructor Requirements

Exam Prerequisites

You have two options for your ACE Group Fitness Instructor Exam:

ACE Group Fitness Instruction Certificate Exam (Non-proctored)

This is an open-book exam and a non-accredited certificate program. To be eligible, you must:

ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam (NCCA-accredited)

This is an in-person or online, proctored exam and a NCCA-accredited Certification Program. To be eligible, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have completed high school (or the equivalent).
  • Hold a current CPR/AED certification with a live skills check.
  • Present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID).

Questions? Call (888) 825-3636 or Chat Now.

Our Collective Impact

When you choose ACE, you help fund research and initiatives to help educate and empower communities and organizations to get more people moving.

Decades of research show that weekly physical activity improves health, prevents diseases, and enhances well-being. For over 40 years, ACE has translated this evidence into practical measures that encourage physical activity.

Through partnerships with community organizations, we expand access to essential activities, promoting vibrant, healthy lifestyles for all. Our rigorous research and global insights promote community well-being. Alongside health advocates, we advocate for policies that promote healthier lifestyles globally.

Transparency is core to our values. That's why we publish our annual Impact Report–to showcase achievements, outline commitments, and reflect on lessons learned. It demonstrates the positive outcomes made possible by the support from ACE Pros like you!

Explore More About Our Impact

Get certified online with Live Remote Proctoring

Take your exam from the comfort of your home! We are pleased to offer you the option to take your ACE Certification Exam through a Live Remote Proctor.