Posted: May 19, 2021 in ACE Press Releases

San Diego, Calif., May 19, 2021 – American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the Women In Fitness Association (WIFA) reached a new milestone in their partnership with the launch of the WIFA Growth Grant, a scholarship that provides current ACE Certified Professionals the opportunity to build and grow their careers with a 1-year WIFA membership.  

 “The Women in Fitness Association is proud to launch the WIFA growth grant as an actionable outcome of our partnership with ACE,” said Lindsey Rainwater. “We believe that the opportunity to create a more diverse, inclusive and equitable industry is of paramount importance to the future.” 

 Creating and supporting growth opportunities for women in the fitness industry is more important than ever. 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 occupation.  

 Globally, women only make up 29% of senior leadership positions (e.g., CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CMO). In a sector in which women outpace men in health club memberships consumption, women should be equally represented to acknowledge and celebrate their contributions to the industry. WIFA and ACE believe this is possible through investing in women exercise professionals and health coaches. 

 “ACE believes in equitable opportunities for success in the fitness industry,” said ACE Executive Vice President of Central Services Amanda Cass. “On behalf of the 50,000-plus ACE Certified Professionals who are women, ACE is honored to support the WIFA Growth Grant to set the stage for women in fitness to rise to their fullest leadership potential.” 

 Applications for the WIFA Growth Grant are now available and will be accepted until June 30, 2021. 

### 

About the Women In Fitness Association  

WIFA is a global nonprofit association that cultivates collaboration and leadership for women in the fitness industry. Created to champion one another and achieve our ultimate potential. Known for unparalleled career development and networking. Fostering deeply connected relationships, elevated synergy and a collaborative, supportive community. Working together to see women create a diverse and inclusive future for our industry. WIFA offers quarterly virtual meetings, annual live events and “crowdsource” topics so everyone involved can contribute. 

About the American Council on Exercise 

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a nonprofit organization with global reach that works to improve physical-activity levels by certifying exercise professionals and health coaches, publishing original research, convening experts on physical activity and health, working directly with community groups, and advocating for policies to get people from all walks of life moving. The 90,000 exercise professionals and health coaches certified by ACE are among the most respected in the world of fitness, helping people embrace physical activity and adopt a healthier lifestyle. 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. 

Over the past few months WIFA, The Women in Fitness Association has made very important and exciting strides towards partnerships to further our cause of supporting women in fitness.

Below are the press releases highlighting our partnerships with both ACE and FIBO!

---

American Council on Exercise and Women in Fitness Association Announce Founding Partnership

Posted: Sep 17, 2018 in ACE Press Releases

San Diego, September 17, 2018— The American Council on Exercise (ACE), a nonprofit organization with global reach that works to increase physical activity, announced today its sponsorship of the Women in Fitness Association (WIFA).

“ACE believes in success opportunities for women, and our support for WIFA is that value in action,” said ACE Chief Marketing Officer Carolann Dekker. “On behalf of the 40,000-plus ACE Certified Professionals® who are women, we’re thrilled to support WIFA’s work to convene the women in fitness and set the stage for them to rise to their fullest leadership potential. They are today’s and tomorrow’s agents for getting more people moving.”

WIFA is a global nonprofit association that cultivates collaboration and leadership for women in the fitness industry. The WIFA goal is to create a culture where women entering the industry can obtain mentorship and seasoned veterans can impact their peers and encourage them to take on more leadership roles. WIFA offers quarterly virtual meetings, annual live events and “crowdsource” topics so everyone involved can contribute.

article posted on ace.org

---

FIBO, World's Largest Fitness, Health & Wellness Event, To Make US Debut

FIBO FitPass Unlocks Access to Unlimited Daily Workouts, Workshops and Lectures for Industry Professionals and Enthusiasts

NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 5-8, 2018, FIBO — the world's largest interactive showcase of fitness, health and wellness innovation — will make its United States debut at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Backed by the long-running success of FIBO Global events in Germany, China, and South Africa, FIBO USA will assemble fitness professionals and enthusiasts for an immersive exhibit of the most groundbreaking people, products and ideas propelling the industry forward globally.

With something for everyone, the four-day event will feature heart-pumping fitness demos and classes, hands-on technology and equipment exhibits, nutrition and apparel, education sessions, and instructor certification and trainings from industry juggernauts Zumba®, Spartan, American Council on Exercise (ACE), Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

"It's rare to find an event that pulls together every corner of the health and wellness category as seamlessly as FIBO," says Petra Robinson, Trade Show and Fitness Industry Adviser at Zumba® and former AFAA Vice President. "In the almost three decades since I attended my first FIBO event, I've found it to be a dynamic display of what's shaping the industry and a crucial tool for business expansion."

Exhibitors will unveil innovations spanning cardio and strength (Aktiv Solutions, Helix, Keiser, Torque Fitness, Ziva), EMS and vibration technology (miha bodytec, Power Plate®, XBody) group and aqua fitness (Piloxing, POUND, SoulBody), health and wellness products (InBody, NormaTec), nutrition (Dymatize), financing (ABC Financial) and wearables (Myzone).

"FIBO has proven to be the premier platform for the global fitness industry to gather, learn and grow," says Hervé Sedky, President, Americas of FIBO producer Reed Exhibitions. "Now is the time to bring the power and international presence of FIBO to the US: the single largest health and fitness market in the world."

The event will open with a two-day FIBO American Health + Fitness Forum (AHFF). The forum invites business owners, managers and experts from the health and fitness sector to interact with global thinkers and leaders on topics such as sales, marketing, customer relations, technology, retention, human resources and overall operator excellence.

The Women in Fitness Association (WIFA) will also collaborate with FIBO to host a forum, in which industry professionals can discuss and uncover issues, initiatives, and opportunities for women to rise to their fullest potential.

The FIBO FitPass unlocks unlimited access to daily workouts, workshops and lectures for fitness professionals and enthusiasts alike. Every FIBO ticket includes fitness demonstrations, celebrity meet and greets, competitions, and unique special events and activations.

To learn more and to register, visit fibo-usa.com

---