Thread: ACE vs. AFAA

I am researching a group fitness certification and have run across two that seem to be mentioned a lot.

ACE - American Council on Exercise
AFAA - Aerobics and Fitness Association of America

Both offer a group fitness certification and are recommended by many gyms in the area.

Is one more "respected" than the other? Honestly - I am unsure which is right for me as a belly dance instructor. I know this is not needed but it is something I am interested in doing to "enhance" my marketability.

If anyone here is certified in one or both - tell me your thoughts. The ACE seems like a more intensive study program where the AFAA was offering a weekend course and test option. Seems drastically different.

Please help me understand.

Thank you...

I don't have a definitive answer, but when I worked in the fitness industry, it was ACE I heard about all the time. ACE was also the one required to teach fitness at the university, and it's the one all us exercise and wellness majors were going for. I don't recall hearing anyone talk about AFAA around school. (but that could only reflect my one university, I'm not sure).

ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) was the most highly revered, but that one was less common, and I'm not sure whether they offered group fitness or only personal trainer. People going into the commercial sports field were working with that one.

At the fitness Centers that I've worked at, instructors have both.

I've held both. The ACE test was a good bit more challenging- so it makes sense that is more respected.

I've had AFAA. My understanding about ACE is that it's a more intensive study (and therefore better), but most gyms are happy with AFAA.

On a side note, I had my AFAA cert for a year then let it expire. It just didn't seem worth it to me. Of course they want you to take a bunch of CECs to maintain certification (and keep them in business... those classes aren't cheap!). My problem was that none of the classes that were offered were stuff that I was interested in. I don't want to spend $100+ and a weekend taking a class to learn to teach kickboxing or spinning. I'm a dance instructor. They never offered classes like nutrition or kinestineology (spelling's wrong, sorry) or stuff that would be helpful to me or my students. That's why I let it expire. Of course it could have just been the area I was in, but the online classes didn't seem much better.

Just mentioning this because when you make your decision, make sure to check out what it takes to maintain certification and if that's agreeable to your situation. Just my .02.

Those are great points Aazura. Most gyms don't care which you have- they need the paper for insurance purposes. You also have to keep renewing your CPR certification to maintain your certifications.
ACE sends out a newsletter on which there is a little quiz for CEC credits. It helps you reach your CEC requirements little easier.

All three (ACSM, ACE, and AFAA) are nationallly recognized and accepted at most gyms nation wide.

ACSM has the greatest restrictions-they are the best of the best. It is what a lot of my eduation was based on during my pursuit of my sports medicine degree. You must have a minimum of a BS in a sports medicine related program to apply for the test.

ACE is open to anyone if I'm not mistaken. They were sometimes compared to ACSM methods and studies. They do not require a practical/hands on demonstration unless becoming a trainer. They are highly in depth and I can't recall if you need a degree or not.

AFAA is the easiest so I've been told-you do not need a degree. There is a live practical and written exam. There are some places I've worked that didn't accept AFAA for certain classes (I have no idea why), but these were medical based places, however, I think all gyms accept it.

I hope this helps.

I don't know how CECs work for AFAA, but for ACE you can get your CECs anywhere. ACE offers classes & workshops & online courses, of course, but they're pricey and usually didn't offer what I wanted. But you can take any relevant course at a community college or university and it counts. (not a fitness class, but a health, anatomy, kinesiology, or exercise science class). You can also petition for any course outside an accredited college to be approved for CECs, but most of the dance-specific workshops we take wouldn't fulfill their interest of fitness instruction, I imagine.

I'm not sure about the CEC's either. Yes, most certifications are pretty pricey-especially since they are renewed each year and if you get multiple.

ACE and AFAA are both nationally recognized and accepted certifications. The ACE test is considered more difficult by many, but the in addition to the written test AFAA also has a practical exam component....you actually have to demonstrate your form, teach a warmup, lead exercises when give a certain body part, etc.

My understanding from many coordinators is that while both are accepted ACE is preferred for personal trainers and AFAA is preferred for group fitness instructors.

~~Kimahri

Originally Posted by Kimahri

ACE and AFAA are both nationally recognized and accepted certifications. The ACE test is considered more difficult by many, but the in addition to the written test AFAA also has a practical exam component....you actually have to demonstrate your form, teach a warmup, lead exercises when give a certain body part, etc.

My understanding from many coordinators is that while both are accepted ACE is preferred for personal trainers and AFAA is preferred for group fitness instructors.

~~Kimahri

That would be my preference if I were seeking employees that were inexperienced, only because of the practical and pending no one of ACSM applied which also requires both on top of a degree and if they are a specialist, add several hours of documented experience. I wish the government regulated more and made everyone become certified. Can you believe some places you can actually teach without being CPR certified when starting, SCARY!

this is great information. I am thinking that ACE will get me more "bang for my buck". It also seems like there are more options for CEC's.

My main issue is that it is so freaking expensive for the books and test. They recommend that you buy X number of books. Can you usually get these used?

Most people keep these sort of books as references to look back on-well people I know anyway. Additionally, a lot of the time you use the same book when it's time to recertify. I would say try a used textbook store, check a local college that has a sports medicine program's classifieds, find when the next test is in your area and just show up and ask someone if they would like to sell there book, etc. I know this probably isn't as helpful as you would like, but it's a start.

WARNING: Make sure that you are getting the current issue by visiting the website. These books change over every now and then as science finds new/different explanations and new methods.

excellent advice - thank you...

I would sell you mine happily -- but it's probably out of date now, it's from 3 or 4 years ago. And a signature of pages sort of fell out right when I first got it -- they're still in the book, but not attached.