Key Takeaways
The Exercise is Medicine® initiative was first launched by American College of Sports Medicine nearly 20 years ago with a goal of integrating physical activity into clinical care. This expert Q&A explores the Exercise is Medicine concept, as well as a new educational opportunity for ACE Professionals. Here are some key takeaways:
- Movement is not just beneficial—it is therapeutic.
- When we view exercise through this lens, it shifts from being optional or recreational to being an essential component of health and well-being.
- Health coaches and exercise professionals play vital roles in modern healthcare, as population health and value-based care continue to shift fitness to the forefront.
- ACE Professionals play a vital role in the prevention and management of chronic disease by applying evidence-based exercise programming and collaborating with healthcare providers when appropriate.
- The ACE-ACSM partnership combines ACSM’s clinical expertise with the ACE expertise of translating science into practical, application-focused education for health coaches and exercise professionals.
Check out the course here: Exercise is Medicine®: Supporting Clients with Chronic Conditions.
The phrase Exercise is Medicine has been used in the fitness industry for many years to highlight the importance of movement in preventing, managing and even reversing many chronic conditions. Health coaches and exercise professionals play vital roles in modern healthcare, as population health and value-based care continue to shift fitness to the forefront.
Below, ACE Chief Executive Officer Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, discusses a recent collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine to bring you a continuing education opportunity that can help broaden your knowledge base and advance your career.
Cedric is the Chief Executive Officer at ACE. On a typical day, he collaborates with various partners such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to champion increased physical activity based on science and evidence-based practices. When sharing about physical activity Cedric often shares, “Some activity is better than none, and more is better than some! Every little bit counts.”
Cedric brings more than 35 years in the health and fitness industry and has authored more than 300 articles and co-authored or edited more than 40 books. He earned both his doctorate in physiology and master’s degree in exercise science from The Pennsylvania State University, where he received Penn State’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor presented to its alumni.
The phrase “Exercise is Medicine” has been used in the fitness industry for years. Can you tell us a little bit about this concept and why it’s important for health coaches and exercise professionals to understand?
The concept of “Exercise is Medicine” represents one of the most powerful opportunities in modern healthcare: movement is not just beneficial—it is therapeutic. Decades of research show that appropriate physical activity can prevent, manage and even help reverse aspects of many chronic conditions, while improving physical function, mental health and quality of life. When we view exercise through this lens, it shifts from being optional or recreational to being an essential component of health and well-being.
For health coaches and exercise professionals, this understanding is critical because they are often the bridge between healthcare recommendations and real-world behavior change. Physicians may advise patients to become more active, but professionals in the fitness and coaching space help people implement those recommendations safely and consistently. Movement is often the starting point, but long-term health outcomes are influenced by multiple lifestyle factors. That’s why we emphasize the ACE 7 Core Drivers of Healthy Living—Move More, Nourish Your Body, Prioritize Restorative Sleep, Strengthen Stress Resilience, Build Supportive Connections, Make Safer Informed Choices, and Cultivate Purpose and a Growth Mindset. Exercise professionals influence many of these drivers simultaneously, helping individuals create sustainable change that extends far beyond a workout session.
This course covers a number of chronic conditions, from hypertension and osteoarthritis to obesity and diabetes. What role can ACE Pros play in helping individuals manage these and other conditions?
ACE Professionals play a vital role in the prevention and management of chronic disease by applying evidence-based exercise programming within their scope of practice and collaborating with healthcare providers when appropriate. Their responsibility is not to diagnose or treat disease, but to translate medical guidance into safe, individualized physical activity and lifestyle strategies that improve function, reduce risk and enhance quality of life. This includes modifying intensity and modality, monitoring responses to exercise, progressing programs appropriately and recognizing when referral or medical clearance is needed.
Equally important is supporting the behavioral and psychosocial aspects of change. Many individuals living with chronic conditions face fear, fatigue, pain or low confidence that can limit participation. By building self-efficacy, supporting motivation and leveraging tools such as wearable technology and remote coaching platforms, ACE Pros influence multiple Core Drivers at once. Improvements in movement often lead to better sleep, reduced stress, improved nutrition choices, stronger social connection, and increased sense of purpose—outcomes that reinforce adherence and create lasting health benefits. [Keep an eye out for more information on the ACE 7 Core Drivers of Healthy Living in upcoming issues of CERTIFIED.]
Finally, why is the American College of Sports Medicine the best partner for this course and why now? What does this type of collaborative work mean for the industry as a whole?
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has long been the gold standard in exercise science research and clinical exercise guidelines, and the Exercise is Medicine® initiative itself originated through ACSM in partnership with the American Medical Association. Partnering with ACSM allows us to combine deep scientific credibility and clinical expertise with ACE’s strength in translating science into practical, application-focused education for health coaches and exercise professionals. The course also highlights the importance of addressing both the physiological and behavioral dimensions of chronic disease management, equipping professionals to better support lasting lifestyle change.
The timing of this collaboration is particularly important as healthcare systems increasingly recognize the value of lifestyle interventions and seek qualified professionals to support patients outside traditional clinical settings. Chronic disease is influenced by multiple interconnected lifestyle factors—much like the ACE 7 Core Drivers—and addressing these complexities requires coordinated, interdisciplinary approaches. Collaborative efforts like this help strengthen professional standards, improve credibility within healthcare and create clearer pathways for referral and integration between medical providers and qualified exercise professionals and health coaches.
Is there anything else about this topic you’d like to highlight?
One of the most important messages is that individuals living with chronic conditions are not necessarily fragile—they are often highly capable and can achieve meaningful improvements with the right guidance and progression. Unfortunately, fear or uncertainty sometimes leads to unnecessary inactivity, which can worsen health outcomes over time. Proper education empowers professionals to help clients move safely, confidently and progressively, which is often the turning point in their health journey.
It’s also important to remember that supporting clients with chronic conditions is not just about managing disease—it’s about helping people live fuller, more meaningful lives. When professionals address multiple drivers of health—movement, sleep, stress, connection and purpose—improvements extend well beyond clinical markers. Exercise becomes more than a program; it becomes a pathway to independence, resilience and long-term well-being across the lifespan, while also reinforcing the growing role of qualified exercise professionals within the broader healthcare ecosystem.
ACE is proud to announce the launch of Exercise is Medicine®: Supporting Clients with Chronic Conditions. This course, which is worth 1.5 ACE CECs, was developed in partnership with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and features educational insights from more than 35 ACSM subject matter experts. Through this course, you’ll gain practical, science-backed strategies to create personalized programs, improve communication and documentation, and build strong relationships with healthcare providers. The course also integrates behavior change techniques like motivational interviewing to support long-term success.
