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Get your questions answered right away,
and find out which Study Program
is right for you!

Call (888) 825-3636 or Chat chat icon now!

Expand your reach
as an ACE Certified
Group Fitness Instructor

Earn the most recognized
certification that opens doors

From indoor strength training to outdoor dance-based workouts to online mind-body classes, your ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification gives you the versatility to keep your career–and your community–moving and shaking.

Here are just a few of the MANY IN-DEMAND CLASSES you can teach:

  • Dance Fitness
  • Strength Training
  • Cardio Training
  • Yoga
  • Spinning/Cycling
  • Aerobics
  • HIIT
  • Kickboxing
  • Sports Performance
  • Pilates
  • Martial Arts
  • Boot Camp
  • Tai Chi
  • Barre
  • Aquatic Exercise
  • Qigong

Get paid to do what you love!

UP TO $62/hr

according to Glassdoor.com

19%

Expected increase in Group Fitness Instructor 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 teaching group classes in as few as 3-6 months

  • 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 all-new 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

Step 2:

Download the Chapter Preview

Choose your Study Program

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

MOST POPULAR!
Sale

Advantage

$465

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, chapter summaries, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and a special exam prep module.

    • NEW! Online study dashboard
    • Video lectures & demonstrations
    • Learning activities
    • Chapter quizzes
  • ACE Certification Exam
  • Practice Tests (3)
    x

    Prepare for the exam with confidence! Advantage includes 1 timed and 2 untimed ACE Practice Tests.

  • ACE Group Fitness Instructor Handbook
    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 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
  • NEW! Offering Group Fitness Classes in Diverse Settings
    x

    Stay in step with an evolving industry by mastering the finer points of leading classes outdoors or online. In this course, you'll learn how to keep your class participants safe and engaged no matter where you're training them.

  • NEW ADDITION! 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.

  • Free Standard Shipping (USA only)
MOST POPULAR!
Sale

Basic

$285

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, chapter summaries, helpful quizzes and learning activities, and a special exam prep module.

    • NEW! Online study dashboard
    • Video lectures & demonstrations
    • Learning activities
    • Chapter quizzes
  • ACE Certification Exam
  • Practice Test (1)
    x

    Basic includes 1 untimed ACE Practice Test, so you can prepare for the exam with confidence!

  • ACE Group Fitness Instructor Handbook
    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 UPDATED ACE Group Fitness Instructor Study Program equips you with the latest instructional techniques, coaching skills and leadership strategies that are necessary to deliver effective and enjoyable class experiences. From exercise programming and motivation techniques to music selection, you will be confident and qualified to lead unforgettable classes, every time.

The program blends evidence-based fundamentals of group fitness with ACE's signature behavior change philosophy, which will set you apart as a compassionate group fitness instructor who empowers class participants to take the lead in their own journey.

Gain an understanding of the role and scope of a Group Fitness Instructor, exercise and behavior-change principles, and the foundations of movement.

Learn choreographic methods and the basic components of a group fitness class; key considerations regarding apparel, equipment, and music; program design, including structuring and sequencing movements and developing a class blueprint; and onsite procedures and responsibilities.

Learn about participation centered instruction, including participant learning styles and the teaching of multilevel classes; teaching techniques and styles, including cueing strategies and leadership considerations; the specific considerations stemming from teaching classes outdoors and online; and working with participants with health considerations ranging from cardiac conditions to low-back pain.

Gain an understanding of class participant safety including injuries and medical emergencies, basics of nutrition, as well as the legal and professional guidelines that all Group Fitness Instructors must consider.

Recorded Videos
Recorded Videos
Recorded Podcasts
Recorded Podcasts
Expert Articles
Expert Articles
Recorded Webinars
Recorded Webinars
Study Handbook
Study Handbook*
Practice Tests
Practice Tests
ACE Answers Study Help
ACE Answers Study Help

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 through interactive learning activities and real-world application.

Get on-demand study support

Succeed with the help of ACE Answers, Study Coaches, and live Q&A.

Access lifelong career resources

As an ACE Certified Pro, you can 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 is a highly reputable, accredited organization in group fitness, and I wanted the best certification around. I knew holding an ACE Certification would open important doors in my career. Getting certified with ACE is one of the best professional decisions I have ever made.

-Catherine Raymond,
ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor

ACE is the organization that everyone knows and respects and I wanted a certification that is both accredited and held in the highest regard. I can go anywhere and people in the industry know and respect my ACE Certification.

-Michelle Basta Speers,
ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor

Certified Group Fitness
Instructors
are in high demand!

5,600,000

Estimated number of classes
taught by ACE Certified
Group Fitness Instructors in 2021

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

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 $285

Compare Programs

Group Fitness Instructor Requirements

To be eligible for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor 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.