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What ACE Pros are saying...

Watch Catherine's Story

"ACE has been, and continues to be the best investment of my life. As a single mom with a full-time job, I was able to raise a family while pursuing my certification and am now able to live my passion for helping others."

Watch Allen's Story

"ACE has provided me with the opportunity to forge my own career path. It has led to the lifestyle of my dreams. Not only has it allowed me to help create life-changing results for my clients but also for myself, my family and my community."

Watch Marisol's Story

"ACE has transformed my life. I have found something that is more than a job and am able to help people in ways I could have never imagined. I am extremely proud, successful and happy in what I do."

Master the skills that top trainers use

Evidence-Based Science

  • Evidence-based exercise science
  • Role and scope of practice

Client Success Methods

  • A client-centered approach
  • Facilitate behavior change with the ACE Mover Method
  • Modifications for clients with special considerations

Program Design & Assessment

  • Assessments, programming and progressions
  • Designing programs with the ACE Integrated Fitness Training (IFT)® Model

Professional Excellence

  • Professional responsibilities and legal guidelines
  • Industry best practices and continuing education

Get qualified to coach clients

The most recognized and rewarding certification

90,000+ ACE
Certified Pros

Join the largest certifier in health & fitness for over 40 years.

NCCA
Accreditation

Stand out to employers with the most trusted credential.

Do what you love,
get paid

ACE Personal Trainers earn an average annual income of $73,000

In-demand
profession

Expected increase in employment of 14% between 2022-2033

Proof that movement changes everything

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

  • ACE Certified Trainers led 8.9 million training sessions last year Real clients, real results, not just test prep.
  • 1.2 million+ group fitness classes led by ACE instructors That's one every 25 seconds around the clock.
  • 344,000+ health coaching sessions delivered by ACE-certified coaches Bringing behavior change to life across communities.
  • 50,000 new professionals certified in 2024-2025 alone The largest single-year class in ACE's 40-year history.
  • 17,000 professionals working across 134 countries Proving ACE isn't just U.S.-based; it's a global movement in motion.
  • 22 new education programs launched in last 12 months Including "AI in Fitness," "Training Clients on Obesity Medications," and "Longevity Through Movement." No other cert provider moves that fast to keep you current.
  • Social engagement doubled year over year ACE professionals are building brands and visibility, not just careers.

American Council on Exercise reserves the right to discontinue the sale or support of any product at any time, to remove, correct, or update content based on current industry standards, guidelines, or technological advances. Notification will be given to those who have purchased such products six months prior to expiration. No refund will be given for expiring products.

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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 Personal Trainer Exam:

  1. ACE Personal Training Certificate Exam (Non-proctored) – included with all study programs is a 100% online, open-book exam. This is a non-accredited certificate program.
  2. ACE Certified Personal Trainer 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.

Test your readiness to take the ACE Personal Trainer 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.

Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook is the main resource of your study program. This new, all-in-one textbook delivers essential knowledge, case studies and ACE methodologies in an easy to understand way so you can efficiently prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.

As a supplement to The Exercise Professional's Guide to Personal Training textbook, the Study Companion focuses on multiple levels of learning through a combination of questions and practical application activities. It will help you not only prepare for your exam with confidence, but also be a knowledgeable and effective personal trainer.

Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification 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. See description within the grid for details.

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

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.