ACE Reinvents Personal Training Using Behavioral Science

The American Council on Exercise recently introduced the ACE Integrated Fitness Training™ Model (ACE IFT™), the first comprehensive personal training program designed by a national organization customized to suit the fitness goals, communication style, behavioral tendencies and personality of each client. It incorporates behavioral sciences by integrating psychological and emotional concepts - thereby potentially changing the future of personal training, according to ACE officials. "We recognize that many personal trainers have been using popular yet outdated training models to develop programs for clients," says Cedric X. Bryant, ACE's chief science officer. "To keep ACE-certified personal trainers on the forefront of fitness and ensure clients reach their fitness, health and performance goals, we have turned not only to exercise science, but also behavioral science - something that has never been done before in our industry. By considering the physiological, psychological and emotional needs of clients, we can truly create personalized programs that yield real and lasting results. In addition, our platform is the first to veer from relying on target heart rates and the first to target individuals' metabolic targets, which ultimately equates to better results for weight loss and weight management." The ACE IFT Model represents the key component of ACE's larger "Personal Training. Reinvented." initiative, aimed at raising awareness of the most effective, research-proven ways to train clients. To educate fitness professionals on this new approach, ACE has developed science-based curriculum, expert blogs, textbooks, online courses (including a free introductory webinar) and live workshops. The organization also is tapping into its network of 50,000 certified fitness professionals to help educate consumers about the benefits of this model. For more information, click here.