ACE and WIFA Further Their Partnership to Better Support Women in Fitness

San Diego, Nov. 14, 2022 - The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Women In Fitness Association (WIFA) have advanced their partnership through WIFA transferring ACE its business and programmatic assets. With this advanced partnership, ACE will deliver all WIFA programs including WIFA LEAD, WIFA Writer's Academy and WIFA Speaker's Academy. These programs, designed to elevate women in the fitness industry with the knowledge, skills and expertise to rise into leadership positions, will be managed in ACE’s Community Health and Wellness Services department.

“I am thrilled that Community Health and Wellness Services will be supporting growth opportunities for women in the fitness industry,” said Maddie Fromm, director of ACE’s Community Health and Wellness Services Department. “As my department continues to support ACE’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, it is partnerships like WIFA that help us achieve our goals toward creating a more equitable industry.”

ACE knows supporting women in fitness is essential to its overall commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the fitness industry. Most recently in 2021, ACE and WIFA partnered to deliver WIFA Growth Grants, a scholarship that provided over 1,100 current ACE Certified Professionals the opportunity to build and grow their careers with a 1-year WIFA membership.

“ACE is grateful that WIFA chose our organization to deliver their continuing education programs and continue their impactful work,” said Scott Goudeseune, ACE chief executive officer. “As part of ACE’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, we are honored to champion women in our industry and do our best to support women exercise professionals or health coaches.”

According to a recent report analyzing U.S. Census data, women make up 58% of the recreation and fitness workforce, but only earn 86 cents to every dollar earned by men in the same occupational role. Additionally, women only make up 29% of senior leadership positions globally (e.g., CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CMO). These data highlight the importance of uplifting women in fitness.

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