The ACE Exam – Personal Trainer Exam is a challenging and comprehensive assessment for men and women who want to enter this fast-paced and rewarding field of exercise therapy. The exam is developed by the American Council on Exercise in consultation with an expert team of test administrators. It is administered in two parts: a 150 multiple-choice question examination and a written simulation test.
The content of the multiple-choice section of the ACE Exam – Personal Trainer Exam is divided into four domains: client interview and assessment (40 items); program design and implementation (41 items); program progression, modification, and maintenance (34 items); and professional role and responsibility (10 items). The first three of these domains include questions related to anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, and psychology.
The written simulation section of the ACE Exam – Personal Trainer Exam consists of two client scenarios in which the candidate must demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and modify an exercise program for a hypothetical client.
In the scoring of the exam, the multiple-choice section accounts for 75 percent and the written simulation section accounts for 25 percent. The raw score of the multiple-choice section (the number of questions answered correctly) is placed on a scale of 200 to 800, using a formula that takes into account the relative difficulty of the exam version. The written simulation section is assigned a score on the same scale based on the subjective appraisal of expert test graders. The minimum passing scaled score average is 500.
Candidates who take the exam via computer will receive their scores immediately. The results of paper-based exams take four to six weeks to be scored and sent to the candidate. Candidates whose combined scores are greater than 500 will immediately receive confirmation of ACE certification. At present, more than half of those who take the ACE Exam – Personal Trainer Exam pass it in their first try.
ACE Study Guide
Start learning how to be successful on your ACE exam. Our ACE study guide is guaranteed to help you get the results you deserve on your ACE test. Some test takers prefer to study using flashcards and so we have created the best ACE flashcards that cover everything you need to know for the ACE exam. Note that using multiple study aids will help you maximize the benefit from your study time.
ACE Study Guide
ACE Flashcards
ACE Practice Test
1. The hip joint is what type of joint?
a. Ball-and-socket joint
b. Hinge joint
c. Cartilaginous joint
d. Pivot joint
2. The primary function of the respiratory system is
a. Delivering nutrients to tissues in the body
b. Regulating the body’s pH level
c. Facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
d. Maintaining fluid volume to prevent dehydration
3. The type of stretching that requires assistance from a personal trainer is called
a. Active stretching
b. Passive stretching
c. Ballistic stretching
d. Static stretching
4. All of the following are benefits of increased flexibility EXCEPT
a. Improved circulation
b. Increased range of motion
c. Improved coordination
d. Increased chance of muscle injury
5. The condition that involves rapid breakdown of muscle tissue due to too much exercise, which can potentially result in kidney failure, is called
a. Myoglobinuria
b. Rhabdomyolysis
c. Dialysis
d. Proteinuria
Answers
1. A: The hip joint as well as the shoulder joint can move in all directions. They are ball-and-socket joints. A hinge joint can only move in one plane, such as with knee flexion and extension. A cartilaginous joint is a strong joint that is very slightly movable, such as intervertebral joints. A pivot joint is a joint in one plane that permits rotation, such as the humeroradial joint.
2. C: The respiratory system involves the lungs and is where the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide occurs. The cardiovascular system, which involves the heart and blood vessels, is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to all tissues in the body, regulating the body’s pH level to prevent acidosis or alkalosis, and maintaining fluid volume to prevent dehydration.
3. B: In passive stretching, a client remains relaxed, allowing a trainer to stretch the client’s muscles. Ballistic stretching, which involves a bouncing-like movement, can cause injury to muscles if not performed carefully. Static stretching involves movements that are deliberate and sustained. Active stretching involves stretching muscles throughout their range of motion.
4. D: Flexibility training has a number of benefits, including increased circulation, increased range of motion, improved muscle coordination, and decreased future chance of muscle injury.
5. B: Rhabdomyolysis, caused when an individual exercises too excessively, results in muscle damage and breakdown. These breakdown products, which can include protein and myoglobin, then enter the bloodstream and have the potential to harm the kidneys. Kidney failure, and possibly death, can result. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis can include muscle swelling, pain, and soreness. Myoglobinuria and proteinuria describe the conditions of having myoglobin and protein in the urine. However, they do necessarily reflect a cause. Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure.
Personal Trainer Job Directory
Personal Trainer Salary
The role of a personal trainer can be fun and rewarding. Most people enter the profession because they are health conscious and enjoy fitness. The personality traits of most personal trainers include being outgoing and caring with good coaching skills. As with most jobs, this profession can have certain demands, such as irregular work hours and travel to clients’ homes or fitness facilities. For those personal trainers in business for themselves, the ability to market and advertise their services to build client bases is essential. In addition, some facilities may require a personal trainer to carry an insurance policy in case of injury.
A personal trainer typically works one-on-one with clients who want to stay in shape or with athletes who want to improve performance. The trainer creates an exercise plan and monitors progress. The challenges in the job include the following:
Motivate clients to follow through with the plan. Many times, clients seek the help of a personal trainer because they lack discipline.
Schedule meetings with clients, and make sure that the exercise takes place without delay.
Maintain a client base. Many people seek the assistance of a personal trainer because they lack knowledge of exercise equipment or appropriate techniques. A personal trainer is experienced in recommending the best fitness routine for a client and designing a program that will exceed what the client could do alone.
A personal trainer position does not require a formalized degree; however, most people are at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma, are certified in CPR, and have completed a personal trainer course, which can vary in length. Most courses lead to certification and credentials. Certification tests are difficult, comprehensive reviews of health and science. Most trainers begin their careers with general personal training certificates and then progress to other types of certificates, such as weight training or nutrition, as their careers evolve. Some training institutes include the following:
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM, http://www.nasm.org/), which has schools around the world and offers courses in Sports Performance, Injury Prevention, Continuing Education courses, and accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. NASM also offers credentials in Certified Personal Training (CPT), Performance Enhancement Specialty (PES), and Corrective Exercise Specialty (CES). They also offer trainer resources, live workshops, and study aids to assist professionals in their careers.
The American Council of Exercise (ACE, http://www.acefitness.org/) has been around for more than 25 years and provides certification, education, and training to fitness professionals. ACE offers personal trainer certifications, group fitness instructor and lifestyle and weight management certifications, exam preparations, continuing education classes, discussion boards, social networking pages, success stories, and an exercise library, health recipes, and a youth fitness page. ACE provides a free monthly newsletter with health and exercise tips.
The International Sports Science Association (http://www.issaonline.com/) offers a nationally accredited distance education program with online testing and unlimited educational support. Students from around the world attend exercise, physiology, nutrition, and fitness courses that are affordable.
A personal trainer salary can be competitive depending upon the amount of experience, reputation, and credentials an instructor has in the industry. At high-end sports clubs, the hourly rate could be about $40 per hour and up to hundreds of dollars per hour if the trainer works with celebrities or professional athletes. For the most part, the average personal trainer salary is between $25,000 and $50,000 depending on qualifications, skills, and geographic region. As society progresses, more people are becoming more educated about the importance of health and fitness and living a health-conscious life. The projected future outlook for the personal trainer is optimistic, with lots of opportunities in retirement communities, churches, karate centers, and schools.