American Council on Exercise Continues to Grow With Addition of Personal Training and Group Fitness Experts

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fitness industry experts Jonathan Ross and Lawrence Biscontini, M.A. have joined the team of fitness experts at the American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's leading authority on fitness and the world's largest nonprofit fitness and personal trainer certification, continuing education and training organization.  Ross and Biscontini will join ACE as part of the organization's ongoing growth strategy.

"We are rapidly expanding ACE to meet the increasing demand from fitness professionals for continued fitness education, tools for business development and thought leadership from the best sources in the industry," said ACE CEO Scott Goudeseune.  "Jonathan and Lawrence will serve as important representatives for ACE in the community, as they help us spread the message about the invaluable resources we provide for fitness professionals, consumers, and the industry as a whole."

Ross, who joins ACE as Senior Consultant Personal Training, is a recognized speaker, author and thought leader in the field of personal training.  He also served as a Discovery Health Fitness Expert and is a master trainer for TRX.  He has presented at numerous industry conferences, including the ACE Fitness Symposium, and is the two-time recipient of the Personal Trainer of the Year Award from IDEA in 2010 and ACE in 2006.

In his new role, Ross will help meet the growing demand for fitness education spurred by the launch of the proprietary ACE Integrated Fitness Training Model®, the first personal training progression model to span the health-fitness-performance continuum, enabling personal trainers to provide comprehensive training solutions for clients of every fitness level. This model is built on the foundation of rapport, and integrates functional movement, resistance, and cardio training while also addressing the interpersonal skills and personal motivators that help create lasting behavior change. A recognized leader and advocate of the ACE IFT® model, Ross will equip industry leaders and fitness professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to be on the forefront of fitness, focusing on the current needs of the industry and anticipating the consumer needs of the future.

Biscontini, who will serve as Senior Consultant Group Fitness to ACE, is known for creating award-winning group fitness and personal training programming for clubs and spas internationally.  His original programs have earned him consistent accolades throughout his career, including IDEA Group Fitness Instructor of the Year in 2004 and ACE Group Fitness Instructor of the Year in 2002.  Biscontini has served on the Advisory and Steering Committees for ACE, IDEA and ECA, and he regularly contributes to leading industry publications such as ACE Certified News and IDEA Fitness Journal.

Biscontini will be instrumental in the development and expansion of ACE's industry-leading group fitness instructor certification and support continuing education.  He will also develop key strategies to enhance ACE's offerings to its growing base of professionals to address evolving consumer demands.

Ross received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland and has had an ACE personal trainer certification for more than a decade.  Biscontini received his Bachelor of Science from Bucknell University and a Master of Arts from the University of Kansas.  He has been a gold-certified ACE group fitness instructor for more than twenty years, and is also an ACE-certified personal trainer, among other certifications.

For more information on ACE or to learn about the creation of ACE's innovative Integrated Fitness Training™ Model, please visit www.acefitness.org.

SOURCE American Council on Exercise