American Council On Exercise And Town Sports International Partner To Certify And Train Fitness Professionals For Career Opportunities

SAN DIEGO, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a leading authority on fitness and the world's largest nonprofit fitness and training organization, today announced a partnership with Town Sports International (TSI), a leading owner and operator of fitness clubs in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, which operates the New York, Boston, Washington and Philadelphia Sports Clubs. The two companies have come together to create Xercise International (XI), a personal training instructional program designed to develop fitness enthusiasts' passion into a profession.

The program is a three-month course that builds students' knowledge and skills in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, personal training, and business and marketing skills. The program will help students prepare for ACE's Personal Trainer Certification and for employment within the fitness industry, and will include both classroom lectures and hands-on training at TSI locations. 

The training program will be facilitated at select TSI locations, rolling out initially in Connecticut and Virginia and led by TSI fitness professionals who will be trained by ACE. Additionally, upon completion of the course, top graduates will be considered for employment at TSI clubs.

"TSI is a renowned fitness organization and was a natural partner to bring enhanced training and leadership skills to those looking to enter the industry, along with a pipeline to a rewarding career in fitness," said ACE CEO Scott Goudeseune. "ACE is committed to arming the public with the latest knowledge and research for safe and effective fitness options. Fitness literacy for both professionals and fitness seekers is a key element in the fight against the obesity epidemic as we help empower Americans to live their most fit lives." 

"A certification from ACE, through XI training, validates that a fitness professional is an expert in his or her field and has gone through the intensive training and testing necessary to produce an effective and safe workout program for clients," said Bob Giardina, President and CEO of TSI. "Bringing XI and ACE certified personal trainers on board further enhances our successful personal training program, adding value to the services we currently offer our half a million TSI club members."

About ACE

American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's premier fitness and personal trainer certification, continuing education, and training organization, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting Americans against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. ACE sponsors university-based fitness and exercise science research studies and is the world's largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization.  For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or visit the ACE website at www.acefitness.org.  AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and the ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.

About Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.:

New York-based Town Sports International Holdings, Inc. is a leading owner and operator of fitness clubs in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and, through its subsidiaries, operated 160 fitness clubs as of March 31, 2012, comprising 108 New York Sports Clubs, 25 Boston Sports Clubs, 18 Washington Sports Clubs (two of which are partly-owned), six Philadelphia Sports Clubs, and three clubs located in Switzerland. These clubs collectively served approximately 523,000 members. For more information on TSI, visit http://www.mysportsclubs.com.

SOURCE American Council on Exercise