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ACE Fitness

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and find out which Study Program
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Achieve lasting success
as an ACE Certified
Personal Trainer

Earn the most recognized
certification that opens doors

Whether you're just starting your career or thirsty for a change, ACE will help you turn your passion into a meaningful and rewarding profession.

Just some of what you can do:

  • Virtual Coach/Online Trainer
  • Athletic Coach
  • Gym Owner/Self-Employed
  • Corrective Exercise & Injury Prevention Specialist

Countless places you can work:

  • Gym/Health Club
  • Healthcare/Outpatient Clinic
  • Community Center
  • University/Campus

Get paid to do what you love!

$72,044

average annual income

with a range of $55K - $96K

according to Glassdoor.com

19%

Expected increase in Personal Trainer Employment between 2021-2031

U.S. Department of Labor

Your path to a rewarding career

  • 1

    Choose your Study Program

    Select a program that fits your needs and get started right away.

    Compare Programs
  • 2

    Start your online learning

    With self-paced learning and on-demand support, you can be coaching clients in as few as 3-6 months.

    See How You'll Learn
  • 3

    Pass your Certification Exam

    The multiple choice exam can be conveniently taken online, or at a testing center near you.

    View Prerequisites

    If you have a background in health and fitness and are prepared to take the exam, you can register here

Get a FREE sneak peek!

See the learning experience in action plus
get a free chapter from the textbook.

Great news! Your FREE Sneak Peek is available.

Step 1:

Watch the Course Preview Video

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Step 2:

Download the Chapter Preview

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90,000+ ACE Certified Pros. 96% satisfaction rate.

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Advantage

$1,729 $864

What's Included
  • ACE University
    x

    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.

  • ACE Certification Exam
    Available to take from home
  • Practice Tests (4)
    x

    Get the ultimate exam prep for your ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam with four (4) practice tests, including 2 untimed and 2 timed practice tests that simulate exam day. Each test has 50 multiple choice questions, which you can take as many times as you like. After each practice test, you'll know exactly what you need to spend more time reviewing by receiving a breakdown of your score based on categories covered on the exam. With so much prep and practice at your fingertips, you'll be more than ready for the exam!

  • ACE Personal Trainer Textbook
    x

    Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professionals 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 prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.

    Digital
    Hard Copy
    Audiobook
  • ACE Personal Trainer Study Companion
    x

    As a supplement to the The Exercise Professionals 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.

    Digital
    Hard Copy
  • ACE Answers (Advantage)
    x

    Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. Includes access to ACE Answers Basic and Plus, as well as:

    Facilitated Study Groups where you will stimulate critical thinking and gain a deeper understanding of the concepts vital to your exam and career through peer group discussions led by an ACE Study Coach.

    Live Q&A Webinars
    Facilitated Study Groups
  • Free Expedited Shipping (USA only)
  • Exercise Science 101
    x

    A supplemental course designed to support your understanding of the anatomy and physiology concepts that serve as foundational knowledge for your career.

MOST POPULAR!
Sale

Plus

$1,149 $574

What's Included
  • ACE University
    x

    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.

  • ACE Certification Exam
    Available to take from home
  • Practice Tests (2)
    x

    Feel fully prepared for your ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam with two (2) practice tests, including 1 untimed and 1 timed practice test that simulates exam day. Each test has 50 multiple choice questions, which you can take as many times as you like. After each practice test, you'll know exactly what you need to spend more time reviewing by receiving a breakdown of your score based on categories covered on the exam. You'll have everything you need to feel confident on exam day!

  • ACE Personal Trainer Textbook
    x

    Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professionals 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 prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.

    Digital
    Hard Copy
  • ACE Personal Trainer Study Companion
    x

    As a supplement to the The Exercise Professionals 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.

    Digital
    Hard Copy
  • ACE Answers (Plus)
    x

    Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. Includes access to ACE Answers Basic plus:

    Live Q&A Webinars where you can get your questions answered on a variety of topics by an ACE Study Coach. Plus, listen and learn while fellow participants ask questions during these engaging webinars.

    Live Q&A Webinars
  • Free Standard Shipping (USA only)
  • Exercise Science 101
    x

    A supplemental course designed to support your understanding of the anatomy and physiology concepts that serve as foundational knowledge for your career.

MOST POPULAR!
Sale

Basic

$979 $489

What's Included
  • ACE University
    x

    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.

  • ACE Certification Exam
    Available to take from home
  • Practice Tests (1)
    x

    Prepare for your ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam with ease by taking one (1) untimed practice test. The practice test has 50 multiple choice questions, which you can take as many times as you like. After the practice test, you'll know exactly what you need to spend more time reviewing by receiving a breakdown of your score based on categories covered on the exam. You'll be prepped and exam-ready!

  • ACE Personal Trainer Textbook
    x

    Rooted in the latest evidence-based research in exercise science and deep integration of behavior change, The Exercise Professionals 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 prepare for your exam and use it as a resource as you begin to work with clients and move through your career.

    Digital
  • ACE Personal Trainer Study Companion
    x

    As a supplement to the The Exercise Professionals 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.

    Digital
  • ACE Answers (Basic)
    x

    Enhance your learning and be confident in your readiness to take the ACE Certification Exam with on-demand study support from ACE Answers. ACE Answers Basic includes:

    • Answers to common study questions
    • Video demonstrations and lectures
    • Exam preparation articles
    • Facebook study groups
    • ACE Exercise Library
    • Tools & calculators
    • Career forms

*Digital eBooks compatible with desktops (Mac & PC), tablets and smartphones (iOS & Android) only. Cannot be printed.

What you'll learn

The ACE Personal Trainer Study Program gives you with the relevant skills to design and apply unique exercise programs based on your clients' goals, abilities and needs.

The program blends evidence-based exercise science with ACE's signature behavior change philosophy, which will set you apart as a compassionate personal trainer who empowers clients to take the lead in their own journey.

Gain understanding of the personal trainer's responsibilities and ethics as well as their role within the healthcare continuum and in allied healthcare-plus the various avenues of career development.

Discover the principles of behavior change, effective communication, goal setting and teaching techniques to create a credible and trusting client-personal trainer relationship that's vital to your client's success.

Create client programs that improve and maintain health, fitness, weight, body composition and metabolism. Learn about heart rate, blood pressure and circumference measurements, which can be used as a baseline for future progress-plus how to apply exercise progressions to help a variety of clients reach their goals.

Become an expert in the ACE IFT® Model, a systematic approach to designing and progressing through exercise programs based on the unique abilities, needs and goals of the client.

Explore the philosophy designed to empower clients to make behavioral changes toward improved fitness and overall health.

Gain understanding of the considerations for clients with various diseases, conditions, injuries or stages in life, including youth, women during pregnancy and older adults.

Find out how to thrive on the business side of your personal training with legal guidelines and businesses considerations, such as legal forms, insurance, record keeping and risk management that protect clients, stakeholders and you.

ACE is with you every step of the way

Learn online at your own pace

Gain the knowledge to get certified in as few as 3-6 months with our flexible Study Programs.

Build in-demand skills

Learn the latest exercise science and behavior change methods that people everywhere are seeking.

Put your skills into action

Gain practical experience with interactive learning activities and real-world application.

Get on-demand study support

Succeed with the help of ACE Answers, live Q&A and facilitated study groups.

Access lifelong career resources

Build the career you want with access to exclusive groups, networks and tools, like the ACE Talks podcast.

Get the recognition
you deserve

Learn More

Moving stories from ACE Pros

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.

-Allen Blunt, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Watch Allen'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.

-Marisol Gramlich, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Watch Marisol'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.

-Catherine Morrison, ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Watch Catherine's Story

How can we help you get started?

Our ACE Advisors are ready to answer your
questions and help get you on your way.

Chat Now

FAQs

That's up to you! Most people study for around 3-6 months, though many study for longer. One thing to keep in mind is that your exam voucher has a redemption period of 6-months. While you can choose an exam date that's outside of the 6-month redemption period, you'll have to register for the exam before your voucher expires. Most exam sites and online proctoring may post available dates approximately 60 days in advance

While there are no prerequisites to purchasing a study program, keep in mind that before you can register for the ACE Personal Trainer Exam, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Hold a current adult CPR and AED certificate with hands-on (in-person or virtual) skills check.* CPR/AED courses without skills check not accepted.
    • *AED only required in USA and Canada
  • Have completed high school or the equivalent

See our approved CPR/AED certification training here.

While most people do pass the exam on their first time, it's perfectly okay if you don't! Here are some steps you can take if you need to retake your certification exam:

  1. Determine if you have a retake voucher, which you can find in your MyACE Account. If you don't have one, you can purchase an additional exam at a discounted retake fee via MyACE or by contacting one of our ACE Advisors. This price is valid for one year after your initial test date.
  2. When choosing a date to retake the exam, we recommend giving yourself about one week of review time for every ten points you are away from a passing score. So if your score is 480 out of a possible 800, for example, (meaning you're 20 points away from the minimum passing score of 500), allow about two weeks of review before your next exam.
  3. Reflect on your performance and consider any exam topics you felt underprepared to tackle.
  4. Review your exam score report and compare your domain performance to the Exam Content Outline. Review each domain and determine what areas need improvement.
  5. Use all your study materials, including videos and exercises, to help build confidence for the exam. Because no two people learn alike, we've provided study material in many different formats, so be sure to use all the resources available to you!
  6. Consider what went well during your initial studies and what you might do differently.
  7. Create a game plan for everything you want to do before you retake the exam. Writing down your plan may help create accountability.
  8. Join the ACE Study Coaches for a live Q&A Webinar or Facilitated Study Group to get your specific questions answered.

CELEBRATE! You've now joined the highly respected ranks of 90,000+ ACE Certified Pros and hold the most recognized certification in the industry. Plus, we'll be providing support and guidance throughout your career, so you'll have access to the exclusive tools and resources you need to thrive as a health and fitness pro. Learn more about why it's great to be ACE Certified here.

No, provided you stay current on your continuing education credits (CECs) and renew on time. That means completing 20 hours of ACE-Approved CECs (2.0 CECs) during your two-year certification renewal cycles, or about 10 hours (1.0 CECs) per year. However, if you don't complete your 2.0 CECs and your certification expires, you will have to retake the exam. To avoid that scenario, check out our continuing education catalog and consider signing up for the CEC Power Pass.

Our commitment to your success extends beyond certification

ACE is with you throughout your career and promises to provide you with ongoing support, guidance, tools and resources to ensure you always have exactly what you need to thrive as a health and fitness pro.

Learn More About ACE Career Support

Ready to get moving?

Get started for
as low as $979 $489

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Personal Trainer Requirements

To be eligible for the ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have completed high school (or the equivalent).
  • Hold a current CPR/AED certification with a live skills check.
  • Present a current government-issued photo ID with signature (driver's license, passport, military ID).

Questions? Contact us at (888) 825-3636.

Get certified online with Live Remote Proctoring

Take your exam from the comfort of your home! We are pleased to offer you the option to take your ACE Certification Exam through a Live Remote Proctor.