American Council on Exercise

Use these fitness games for kids to improve their functional movement, cardiovascular efficiency, & balance. Read more with ACE!

Research supports the effectiveness of the ACE Mover Method in improving clients’ eating habits. Use this coaching guide to empower clients to eat more fruits, vegetables and fiber.

How to do these exercises: The American Council of Exercise recommends performing three sets for each using a reverse pyramid rep/set scheme. Start with a higher number of repetitions for the first set, then decrease by 2 to 6 reps, then decrease by another 2 to 4 reps on the last set. So you might start with 8-6-4 reps and work your way up to 12-10-8 reps as you get stronger and build endurance. Hold each exercise for no more than 8 to 10 seconds.

Strength training can benefit brain health and cognitive function, in addition to building muscle and improving physical function. Learn practical strategies for challenging both the body and the brain from this insightful webinar clip.

According to the American Council of Exercise, “dumbbells can provide the two types of overload that lead to muscle growth: mechanic and metabolic.” Light muscle damage and fatigue can actually lead to big gains — just ensure you leave enough time in between exercises for your muscles to repair (approximately 2-5 minutes between sets).

The answer is power training, which involves lifting lighter weights at a faster speed. Chris Gagliardi, MS, scientific education content manager, American Council on Exercise, previously told Parade that muscle strength and mass begin to decline around age 50, which makes strength work more important as you get older.

If you choose a trainer, look for one experienced with chronic conditions and, preferably, certified by a recognized organization, Ahmed says. Examples include the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Bring your medication list, recent lab results, blood pressure log, and any restrictions from your nephrology team to your first session, she advises.

Women-only gyms, which seemed to be going the way of the Thighmaster, have recently seen a resurgence — thanks largely to a growing interest in strength training among women, said Sabrena Jo, the senior director of science and education at the American Council on Exercise.

ACE is excited to introduce the 2026 ACE Global Virtual Conference, which will offer tailored learning experiences for personal trainers, group fitness instructors, health coaches and facility owners. Learn more and enroll here.

Evaluating diets can be tricky. Consider these 9 questions, which combine common sense with evidence-based nutrition, before starting a weight-loss diet.

New course equips personal trainers and health and exercise professionals with evidence-based strategies to support individuals using GLP-1 and other obesity medications.

“Our bodies are incredibly adaptable,” Jacque Crockford, director of product development at the American Council on Exercise (ACE), told Outside. “They adapt both to the exercise we do and to the exercise we stop doing.” If you’re an athlete, you likely know that brief breaks, including both rest days and periods of low-intensity movement, are essential for recovery, allowing you to avoid injury and ultimately optimize performance.

All in all, as described by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Barry’s Bootcamp is best suited for people who like to be challenged with an intense workout while being coached by an instructor in a motivating and supportive high-energy group environment.

Teaching mat Pilates requires modifying or progressing movements based on what you observe as participants move. Learn more about this practical approach from this insightful webinar clip.

Inspire360 today announced the Inspire360 Education Grant for YMCAs, the first education grant built specifically for YMCA workforce development. Selected Ys will receive six to twelve months of Inspire360 Club service at no charge, giving their trainers access to a continuing education library valued at $16,000 per trainer, with education from TRX, Functional Movement Systems (FMS), Exos, and the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

“Counting steps is useful because you can monitor yourself every day, but if the number of steps are your primary driver, you may not make the gains you expected,” says Anthony J. Wall, senior director, global business development for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and a certified personal trainer. “What’s effective is the frequency, intensity and duration of your activity..."

Protein is at the forefront of conversations about nutrition at the moment, so it’s important to be able to separate myth from fact. In this clip from a recent ACE/AND webinar, you’ll learn the truth about protein timing.

Drugs like Ozempic are here to stay, but what does this mean for health coaches and exercise pros? Read about emerging research and some practical tips for working with clients taking drugs for weight loss

Sleep is a core driver of healthy living, and new research suggests that duration may play an important role in how the body ages. Learn what a large study of biological aging clocks reveals about the potential sleep “sweet spot” and how you can use these findings to help clients think more broadly about sleep, recovery and aging well.

Sparkling water has become a popular alternative to soda, but what does all that carbonation mean for your clients’ teeth? New research comparing sparkling water, sugar-sweetened soda and plain water offers some reassuring findings—and practical insights you can use to help clients make informed beverage choices without stepping outside your scope of practice.

Live Long Better earns national honors for bringing practical exercise science, strength and healthy-aging guidance to adults 50+

Blood flow restriction training can provide strength and muscle adaptations using lighter loads. Learn more about this evidence-informed approach from this insightful webinar clip.

Recognition highlights the ACE commitment to equipping health and exercise professionals with evidence-based education that supports healthier lives for all

Strength training for cyclists should focus on preventing overuse injuries and improving cycling efficiency. Check out these 3 sample workouts.

Research demonstrates that client-centered communication strategies can help exercise professionals support meaningful behavior change beyond the gym

Instead, it “serves as an accessible way to explain why changes in body shape and appearance often become more noticeable as someone loses body fat over time,” Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., chief executive officer at the American Council on Exercise, tells TODAY.com.

The course equips exercise professionals with performance-based coaching tools to meet evolving participant expectations

If you want a sanctioned job at a fitness facility, get your certification. That could come from the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Avril’s journey into health and fitness began in her early 40s when she found herself facing declining health, high blood pressure, and the possibility of starting medication. Rather than accepting that outcome as inevitable, she made the decision to take control of her health through exercise and lifestyle changes.

Caffeine is part of many clients’ daily routines, but its effects can vary widely depending on the source, dose and individual response. Explore the latest American Heart Association findings on coffee, energy drinks and cardiovascular health, along with practical guidance for discussing caffeine use, recognizing potential concerns and making appropriate referrals without exceeding your scope of practice.

Aging is often presented as a steady path of physical and cognitive decline, but new research reveals a more encouraging range of possibilities. Discover how positive age beliefs may relate to later-life improvement and how you can use supportive language, meaningful goals and appropriately challenging programming to help older clients recognize and build on their capacity for growth.

Creatine is widely known for its muscle-building benefits, but emerging claims about its effects on depression have generated both interest and confusion. Explore what a recent systematic review actually found, where the evidence falls short and how you can respond to clients’ questions with evidence-based findings.

Remote work creates a particularly sedentary environment. There’s no need to walk from your front door to the car or train station. There are no aisles of cubicles to maneuver on your bathroom break or colleagues to stand around with at the water cooler. “We're just sitting there in front of the screen by ourselves,” says Mary Jayne Rogers, an exercise physiologist based in Albuquerque, who’s on the certification advisory board of the American Council on Exercise.

At most desk jobs, you’ll be sitting down for the majority of the day. But remote work creates a particularly sedentary environment. ... “We're just sitting there in front of the screen by ourselves,” says Mary Jayne Rogers, an exercise physiologist based in Albuquerque, who’s on the certification advisory board of the American Council on Exercise.

Explore the connection between lifestyle behaviors and brain health, as well as practical strategies to use when coaching older adults. Learn more from this insightful webinar clip.

Creating inclusive fitness experiences for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities requires practical coaching skills and a deep understanding of the individuals you serve. Learn more from this insightful webinar clip.

Earlier this year, Matrix Fitness expanded Project COURAGE opportunities through a partnership with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), increasing access to fitness-related certifications in the Project COURAGE network.

You should also hydrate before, during and after exercising on the beach, rather than relying on when you feel thirsty, said Cedric Bryant, an exercise physiologist and the chief executive of the American Council on Exercise. You will be exposed to direct sunlight on the beach, along with heat reflected off the sand and water, even on cloudy days, he said, which can put you at risk for overheating and dehydration.

American Council on Exercise (ACE) CEO Cedric X. Bryant will be inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame later this summer, recognizing a career spent helping shape exercise science, professional education and the growing intersection between fitness and healthcare.

Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM to be honored for decades of leadership and impact in advancing health, fitness, and professional education.