SAN DIEGO, Sept. 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) have teamed up to enhance their impact on community health. Starting in early 2016, YMCA health and wellness professionals will be able to pursue education and training in Group Exercise and Strength and Conditioning from ACE that has been customized by Y-USA to complement the Y's method for conducting health and wellness classes. Additional education will follow later in 2016 for Health Coaching.
The partnership brings together two of the largest non-profit providers of health and wellness education and programs with the common mission of helping people achieve long-term health behavior change. As part of this one-of-a-kind partnership, ACE is developing a custom series of foundational courses to ensure that Y health and wellness professionals have the education and tools to support people in achieving their goals for health and well-being.
"The ACE partnership will enhance the health and well-being experience for the millions of people engaged with the Y, ultimately improving the overall health of the nation," said Jonathan Lever, Vice President, Health Strategy & Innovation, YMCA of the USA. "Additionally, our new relationship with ACE provides more flexibility and certification options for Y staff."
Outside of the ACE-developed foundational courses, Y health and wellness professionals will be able to more easily access certifications from ACE as Personal Trainers, Health Coaches and Group Fitness Instructors, all of which are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). In addition, Y professionals will have access to industry-leading continuing education provided by ACE on topics including weight management, youth and senior fitness, small-group training, and functional training, to name a few.
The courses ACE is developing for the Y include:
Foundations of Group Exercise is designed to provide Y group exercise instructors with the knowledge to lead Y group exercise classes that are safe, effective and engaging.
Foundations of Strength and Conditioning will equip Y wellness center instructors with the tools to safely lead members through exercises while creating an environment that's conducive to helping them have positive exercise experiences.
"We are thrilled to partner with an organization that strongly shares our passion for the health and well-being of individuals," said ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune. "This represents a giant step forward in our ability to work with passionate YMCA professionals around the country to make a notable impact on the public's health."
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children—regardless of age, income or background—to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymca.net
About ACE
The nonprofit organization American Council on Exercise (ACE) educates, certifies, and represents more than 58,000 currently certified fitness professionals, health coaches and other allied health professionals. ACE advocates for a new intersection of fitness and healthcare, bringing the highly qualified professionals ACE represents into the healthcare continuum so they can contribute to the national solution to physical inactivity and obesity. ACE is the largest certifier in its space and all four of its primary certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the gold standard in the United States for accreditation of certifications that assess professional competence. ACE also plays an important public service role, conducting and providing science-based research and resources on safe and effective physical activity and sustainable behavior change. For more information, call 800-825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.