The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a leading authority on fitness and one of the largest fitness certification, education and training organizations in the world, today announced an agreement with YMCA of the USA to work together in order to enhance local YMCA’s ability to serve health seekers across the country through increased access to materials, resources, certifications, and continuing education credits (CECs). While many YMCAs have used ACE resources in the past, the mission of this relationship will be to help others tap into ACE’s expanding expertise in fitness and wellness.
“ACE’s mission and expertise compliments the work of YMCAs across the country, and we look forward to expanding the network of YMCAs utilizing ACE resources to server their members,” says Jerry Napp, national accounts manager for ACE. “We’ve had tremendous support from YMCA professionals in the past, and we know our agreement with Y-USA will help all of us expand our knowledge and expertise in the fast changing areas of fitness, wellness and chronic disease.”
The YMCA and ACE will work together to promote training opportunities and continuing education programs to YMCA professionals through access to resource libraries and content, as well as consultation efforts.
“The YMCA and the American Council on Exercise have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to impact the health and wellbeing of children, adults, families and ultimately communities across the country. Working together will achieve greater results than working alone on these important issues,” said Jim Kauffman, national director for health and well-being for YMCA of the USA. “Many YMCAs have used ACE resources (trainings, certifications, cec’s) in the past, and this agreement could help other YMCAs tap into ACE’s expanding expertise in fitness and wellness.”
ACE and the YMCA will be communicating announcements and resources with staff through timely e-newsletters, as well as posting information on the health and well-being area of www.ymcaexchange.org. For more information, please visit www.acefitness.org or www.ymca.net.
YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation's 2,686 YMCAs, which serve 21 million people each year, including nearly 10 million children under the age of 18. YMCAs respond to critical social needs by drawing on their collective strength as one of America’s largest not-for-profit community service organizations. Through a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening and health and well-being for all, YMCAs unite individuals of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs have proudly served America’s communities for nearly 160 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit http://www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a non-profit organization committed to health and well-being and the country’s leading authority on fitness. Founded in 1985, ACE is one of the largest global fitness certification, education and training organizations with more than 45,000 certified professionals worldwide. It is also an established resource for comprehensive, unbiased, scientific research impacting today’s fitness industry. ACE protects the public by setting certification and continuing education standards for fitness professionals, and is among the largest fitness certifying organizations in the world. ACE offers certification for Personal Trainer, Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist, Group Fitness Instructor and Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant. All four ACE certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). ACE also offers continuing education programming to enable fitness professionals to expand their scope of practice, client base and professional opportunities. For more information on ACE and its programs, call 800.825.3636 or log onto the ACE website at www.acefitness.org.
