As participation in group fitness continues to surge, ACE offers a new study experience for their NCAA-accredited group fitness instructor certification program

SAN DIEGO, March 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Participation in group fitness has exploded in the past five years, attracting more than 22.1 million Americans annually and becoming a critical tool in the fight against the nation's obesity epidemic. The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a nonprofit organization that educates, certifies and represents more than 60,000 certified fitness professionals worldwide, has launched a new Group Fitness Instructor Certification Study Experience to meet the fast-growing need for the most scientifically informed and effective instructors possible. The improved study experience provides ACE Certified instructors with the latest exercise science, as well as proven engagement and motivation strategies, so they can lead safe, healthy and engaging group fitness experiences.

"We designed our all-new ACE Group Fitness Instructor study experience to offer instructors the absolute best educational experience available," says ACE Chief Science Officer, Cedric Bryant, Ph.D. "By empowering instructors to lead participants of all fitness levels with the most effective strategies for delivering memorable and safe movement experiences, we can ensure that group fitness continues to serve as a critical component in everyone's efforts to achieve lifelong health."

The new study experience serves as a comprehensive resource for both new and veteran instructors. This course takes candidates step-by-step through the theory and practical application of exercise programming including class design, music selection, teaching strategies, engagement and motivation techniques, and more. The ACE curriculum covers all exercise modalities and enables instructors to lead a variety of populations and levels of fitness.

ACE, the world's largest health and fitness nonprofit and certifying organization, sees improved group fitness experiences as an important instrument in its mission to get people moving. The organization hopes to help group fitness instructors across the world design unforgettable, exciting exercise experiences that offer class participants a powerful tool to build the healthy lifestyle habits that prevent and treat obesity and chronic diseases.

"For 30 years, ACE has raised the standards of the group fitness industry. We have established our group fitness certification as the gold standard," says ACE Chief Executive Officer Scott Goudeseune. "The rise in demand for group fitness has pushed us further. We've built the most dynamic, engaged learning experience yet, empowering ACE Certified instructors to turn this group fitness trend into a powerful force against the obesity epidemic."

For more information on the ACE Group Fitness Instructor certification visit http://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/group-fitness-certification/

About American Council on Exercise

The nonprofit organization American Council on Exercise (ACE) educates, certifies and represents more than 60,000 fitness professionals, health coaches, and other allied health professionals. ACE advocates for a new intersection of fitness and healthcare, bringing the highly qualified professionals ACE represents into the healthcare continuum so they can contribute to the national solution to physical inactivity and obesity. ACE is the largest certifier in its space and all four of its primary certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the gold standard in the United States for accreditation of certifications that assess professional competence. ACE also plays an important public service role, conducting and providing science-based research and resources on safe and effective physical activity and sustainable behavior change. For more information, call 800-825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.

CONTACT: Sarah Sweeney                                                                                    
         (858) 243-4687
         pr@ACEfitness.org