How I Beat the Big Bad ACE Exam

Greetings readers! I took a couple of days off from the blog to rest and recover after taking the ACE personal trainer exam. . .and I passed! WOO!

Quick back story: I got the materials for taking the exam 4 years ago. I have started studying for the exam about 3 or 4 times and quit every time, putting it on the back burner to other life endeavors. Plus the first 3 chapters are SUPER boring. It was only last August that I developed a 1 year plan for myself to get out of the restaurant industry and into an actual career in health and fitness. I cracked open the old text book, and over the next 8 months I read the whole thing cover to cover, did the vocabulary words, the two study guides, the book on CD, the flash cards, an on-line study course, AND a math fitness course.

I wanted to pass this thing.

Me passing the exam was validation that I was on the right path in my life. I have only my own experience in losing weight and staying in shape to prove that exercise and eating well does indeed work. I can't wait to ignite that fire and passion in others!

Planning on taking the exam? Here are some tips:

1. Give yourself lots of time, and be consistent. Try to do little bit every day. I found it was helpful to sign up for weekly reminders on what I should be studying available at http://www.acefitness.org/.


2. Use every resource available to you. The text book is king, but there is literally a different study tool for every study type. There is a book on CD, there are flash cards, there are study guides. Try every method to see which one works the best for you.


3. Read the study blogs on the ACE website. They help to focus you because the amount of information is daunting.


4. Anatomy is your friend. Know your muscles!


5. Know all the different health screening techniques and protocol.


6. Know how to read a food label.


7. Know how to calculate body fat percentage.


8. Use someone to help you with flash cards. It helps to say the information out loud.


9. Reach out and ask someone who has taken the exam before!

The next step? To get out there and apply for gym jobs. Then take over the world.