Amid high-impact aerobics, Jane Fonda workout VHS tapes, leotards, and sweaty quests for six-packs and beach bodies, the fitness industry was arguably a bit of a Wild West in the 1980s. Fitness professional certifications weren’t well established, standards were loose, and science wasn’t foundational.

In 1985, the IDEA Foundation, which was rebranded as the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in 1992, was launched to bring education, safety, and structure to a rapidly growing population of aerobics instructors, many with no former certification.

While navigating four decades of changes in the fitness industry, ACE has expanded far beyond its initial undertaking. By 2026, this nonprofit education leader has certified more than 90,000 fitness professionals in different specialty disciplines in 110 countries.

ACE has expanded its mission beyond providing certifications. The organization sponsors research studies, promotes physical activity, advocates for the industry, and has redefined what makes a qualified fitness professional.

ACE has also been a member of the Health & Fitness Association since 1991. During those 35 years, it has solidified its relationship with HFA by uniting with the association and other stakeholders in promoting public investment in efforts to increase physical activity.

“Our anniversary is an opportunity to take a quick peek at the many wonderful things we’ve accomplished,” says Cedric Bryant, Ph.D., FACSM, the president and CEO of ACE, “but it’s really about looking forward to continuing to have a significant impact in the space and on the public with regard to physical activity and lifestyle behavior habits.”

Adapting to a New World of Fitness

In the 2000s, ACE’s four primary certification programs (group fitness instructor, personal trainer, health coach, and medical exercise specialist) were among the first in the industry to earn accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Since then, ACE has embraced the new tools of fitness and wellness to expand its curriculum. These include:

• Artificial intelligence: With AI, wearables, virtual reality, apps, and more, technology is playing a greater role in educating and supporting both fitness professionals and exercisers. ACE is adapting by introducing new courses, such as "AI in Fitness: The Next Frontier for Coaches," as well as offering Precision Nutrition’s comprehensive “AI Bootcamp for Health and Fitness Coaches” training.

“We’re trying to shift the mindset among fitness professionals who are fearful of AI so they don’t see it as a threat,” Bryant notes. “It’s a tool that handles admin work and lets them spend more time on higher margin activities, like connecting with folks and leading them on their lifestyle, behavior change, and fitness journeys. AI can’t replace a person who really understands how to listen to and form relationships with others.”

Personal connections have become increasingly important since the pandemic, and fitness professionals have an opportunity here. They should actively listen, be empathetic, and come alongside others to develop solutions that address their needs. “That’s the secret sauce of helping people change their lives,” Bryant suggests.

• Mental health: “Being physically active helps us with anxiety, depression, and stress, and people now say that mental health and well-being are their top reason to exercise,” Bryant points out.

To supplement its programs, ACE partnered with the Mental Wellbeing Association last year to offer The Mental Wellbeing Certification for Fitness Professionals.

“This collaboration aligns with our mission to get people moving in ways that improve overall health and well-being, including mental health and wellness,” he says.

ACE also is working to integrate mental health strategies into its professional development programs and continuing education courses. One of those is “A Holistic Approach to Mental Health,” which incorporates nutrition, movement, breath, sleep, and connectedness.

“For years, we’ve talked about exercise as medicine, and we tended to think about it for traditional chronic illnesses, like heart disease and diabetes,” he observes. “But exercise is also medicine for mental health and well-being.”

• GLP-1 and other weight-loss treatments. Users of GLP-1 drugs and similar treatments are advised to integrate exercise into their lifestyle as they lose weight and adjust to a changing body. To help fitness professionals serve this growing population, ACE is updating its Weight Management Specialist program and continuing education content, as well as releasing new courses like “A Guide for Supporting Clients on Anti-Obesity Medications.”