Organization

The American Council on Exercise, located in San Diego, California, is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting active, healthy lifestyles and their positive effect on the mind, body, and spirit. The American Council on Exercise accomplishes its mission by setting certification and education standards for fitness professionals and through ongoing public education. Since 1986, the American Council on Exercise has certified more than 76,000 health and fitness professionals in over 66 countries. Certification exams are standardized, broad-based tests of the knowledge and application of safe and effective exercise instruction principles. The American Council on Exercise certification exams are offered four times a year at approximately twenty-five domestic sites and five international sites and at selected industry trade shows. The American Council on Exercise offers four certification programs: Group Fitness Instructor Certification Personal Trainer Certification Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant Certification Clinical Exercise Specialist CertificationExaminees may prepare for the American Council on Exercise certification through formal university courses, exam preparation courses, practical training, self-study, and correspondence courses. The American Council on Exercise strongly recommends that examinees obtain hands-on experience in their respective field before undertaking an examination.