Some thoughts and discussions from me.
ACE Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) Exam
Good morning 
Man, I can’t believe it’s Thursday already! This week is flyin’ by.
So let’s just dive right into today’s topic, shall we?
Today’s post is all about the ACE Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) exam. I’m going to cover how I studied as well as the exam break down.
You might remember that a little more than a month ago, I took and passed my ACE GFI exam. Like I mentioned in that post, I’m a pretty nervous test taker, especially when I’m all alone in a room with a computer and scratch paper and a timer ticking away. I took and passed my ACE Personal Trainer exam in 2009, and remembered it being pretty darn hard.
However, this time around I was surprised that I didn’t find the GFI exam too difficult at all. I attribute that to three factors:
1. Previous knowledge (from ACE Personal Training exam)
When I was studying for my personal training exam back in 2009, I took an 8 week course at a community college, went to several workshops, and studied – big time. ACE provides TONS of information for its personal training exam. That book is BIG. Looking back, I’m very glad my preparation for the exam was so thorough. I think it better prepared me for the exam, but more importantly, provided me with more knowledge and tools to take with me in the gym than would have otherwise.
2. Continuing ed.
Secondly, ACE’s continuing education is great, and I’m such a fiend for it. I love to read anything and everything fitness, and read any journals or magazines cover to cover, as well as any interesting research study I can get my hands on. I think this is crucial for trainers to do, in order to keep up with fitness industry.
3. Study!
Lastly – I studied. I didn’t study as nearly as much as I did for the PT exam, nor as much as I probably should have, but I probably put a good 15 hours of study time toward the exam. Here’s how I did studie:
1.) Read the manual
The first thing I did was read the manual. While reading, I would also take notes on anything that was new to me, or that I didn’t quite remember exactly from any previous studies. This was definitely the most time-intensive part and took about 8-10 hours total.
2.) Skim through the flashcards
The week before the exam, I cracked open the flashcards, and carried them with me to flip through whenever I had a chance – while in line at the DMV, on a car ride, waiting for a friend, etc. I know some people absolutely love flash cards, but it’s really never been my favorite way to study. I’m more of a reader and reciter.
3.) Skim through the Essentials of Exercise Science manual
This is basically an extremely condensed version of the personal training manual (anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, nutrition, etc.) Since I’d already learned most of what was in this manual, I did a lot of skimming through as a refresher. After the exam, when I had more time, I actually went through and read each chapter again, because it’s always a good idea to review all of those muscles – at least for me it is 
4.) Take the sample test
About 3 or 4 days before the exam, I took the sample certification exam. After scoring myself, I highlighted any question that I missed, or wasn’t sure on, and then I went back and read the material in the manual on that subject. I did this over again until I got the answers right off the bat.
The Exam
Ok, now on to the part you’re likely interested in.
The exam.
As I said earlier, the ACE GFI exam was surprisingly pretty easy. I think this is in part to the emphasis on the topics to which I dedicated most of my study time.
Exercise Programming and Class Design
This section of the exam is all about designing a workout or class structure for your clients/class and is about 20% of the exam material. It includes music selection, beats per minute (for music,) equipment selection, class objective and follow through, program safety, adherence, and class experience. This section also includes questions on anatomy, kinesiology, and physiology.
Group Instructional Methods
This section of the exam covers everything that has to do with instructing a group through a fitness class and is roughly 37% of the exam. You’ll need to know things like:
- instructional techniques and teaching methods
- cultural and demographic differences
- learning styles
- teaching styles
- behavioral methods
- self-monitoring methods
- helpful feedback
- progressions and regressions
- cueing
- motivating and educating
- choreography
Group Leadership and Class Management
In this portion of the test, which covers about 30% of the exam, you’ll need to know how to safely and effectively lead a class of multiple fitness levels. You’ll need to know about modifications, regressions, and progressions. It also covers special populations, like those with diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, who are pregnant, etc. It covers class safety in terms of space, environment, and participants. Effective communication skills, rapport, and relationships are also touched on here.
Professional Responsibilities
Here you’ll need to know about fitness ethics, best practices for the facility, how to respond to acute medical conditions, and insurance. It also covers what you’ll need to do to maintain certification and what to do to minimize the risk for being liable in any risk for injury. This portion covers about 15% of the test.
In my experience, I was very relieved that I studied, and put some extra emphasis on the following topics:
- class programming
- music
- choreography/sequencing
- liability
If you’re considering taking the ACE GFI exam, I hope this helped! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask
Are you a nervous test takers?
Have you ever taken a standardized, certification exam?
i think being a personal trainer for years really helps here. It’s a good base of knowledge already! Big fan of the practice exams too!
Great review! This will be so helpful for anyone taking this exam! I’ll have to keep this post in mind in case anyone I know is taking this!
Danielle recently posted…My Five Stages of Diets
I’m definitely a nervous test taker, but I’ve always thought that preparation is key. I.e. lots of time spent studying!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Fitness Lately.
I want to take this exam, but I wonder if I should do the personal training one first and then the group instructor one?
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted…Valencia Luncheria
I don’t think you’d necessarily need to, unless you’re thinking about being certified for PT, too 🙂
Thanks for this! I’ve been going back and forth between the AFAA and ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certs, so this helps.
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…07/11/13: Thursday Thoughts
I’ve heard AFAA is good, too!
Thanks for the info! Do you have to just take a theoretical exam or is there also an actual physical portion, like on the AFAA test? Is it better to have ACE or AFAA certification to teach Zumba and Belly Dancing classes? I can’t seem to find concrete answers anywhere
Hi, thanks for the info here. I’m studying for the GFI exam right now and am a very nervous test taker. Curious the style of test. Is a multiple choice? This may seem like a dumb question, but I get conflicting information when I talk to other people who have a GFI cert.
Thank You
Yes
Hi, thank you for posting this. I am planning on taking the GFI exam in April and am curious about if the test has questions from the essentials of exercise science book. I have taken kinesiology and physiology of exercise at my college and know about both subjects but probably need to skim through the book to learn things again. To save time, could I just read the GFI manual and still pass the test? Thank you.
Yes, but very few. I think with your background you’ll be fine! But it’s never a bad idea to brush up on it 🙂
Hi Paige, just stumbled across your page and it is very helpful and motivational. I have been trying to get motivated to prepare and study for the ACE Group Certification for almost a year now, but the material looks so overwhelming that whenever i get started i stop before finishing. I have gone through the instructor manual but get really nervous when i pick up the Essentials Of Exercise book and flashcards and try to memorize all of that information. I run a boot camp here in The Bahamas and have done several online “certifications” but i really want to get ACE certified. Any additional pointers on how to get started and remain focused would be appreciated.
Thanks for all the insight! How much time do they give you to complete the test!
How much of the test is from the white essentials book? I have a good grip on the Instructor’s manual but not as much on the Essentials book. What is the main thing to know?
Hey there,
Is the entire test multiple choice? Seems kind of odd that there would be no written part.
My brother recommended I might like this website.
He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time
I had spent for this info! Thanks!
acai berries recently posted…acai berries
Hi Paige,
Did you have to audition or demonstrate a class?
Hi Becky! Not during testing, but I did have to before instructing a class (as my job)
following- so no practical for the gfi exam?
I’m a nervous test taker too- and just signed up to take my ACE exam. 5 weeks to go, but I haven’t taken formal exam in years so I’ve been panicking about it. I’m so glad to hear you didn’t find it super difficult. I think I’m over preparing, and over panicking so I’m glad your experience was a good one! Makes me feel better about the whole thing. Great tips!
Hi,
Thank you for this thorough and helpful information! Could you by chance shed any light on the format of the test…is it primarily multiple choice? definitions? true/ false?
Thank you,
Marissa Fuqua
Am taking the GFI exam this 24th, I just finished the instructor’s guide. But am so scared, less than a week left and I just started with the Essentials book, waaaahhh!
Hi Paige! I’m going to study for ACE’s group fitness certification. I’m not sure if I should buy the standard ($299) or premium ($499) study program– or purchase the standard plus some add ons like the flashcards, exam, etc. Are you familiar with the ACE Academy? Is it worth the extra $200? It has the 12 week emails practice test and exam review. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Hi Tammy! Since I was already certified PT, I just did the standard, and felt well-prepared come test-taking time 🙂 You can find some online flashcards if you Google them 😉
Hi..started studying and am now thinking that I am spending too much time trying to memorized the essentials book and should focus more on the main manual. Can’t find anywhere online where it says how long the test is. The practice exam I have is only 60 questions and I wanted to know if that’s an accurate reflection of what the test will be. Thanks for all the info on your site…nice to know what to expect!
ALOHA!! Thank you for all of this information, I was feeling very unprepared for my test next month but this is VERY helpful! I run a bootcamp in Hawaii, and am getting my ACE GFI for credentials. I am not planning on teaching in a gym or teaching any “choreography” type classes, but am hoping this certification will increase my knowledge and boost my credentials. Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome:) Good luck!
I savor, cause I discovered exactly what I was looking for.
You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have
a nice day. Bye
ask recently posted…ask
Hi paige!! i’m 3 days away from my GFI 2015 test, any good advice ? xoxo
Do you have any other ACE certs?
Hi Paige,
Thank you for all the info regarding the gfi exam. I am taking it this weekend and was wondering how much of identifying all the muscles/bones is on it? I know the major muscles, but am getting anxiety about knowing the names of all the muscles/bones! I feel like I know the info in the instructor manual well, but feel overwhelmed with the info in the essentials of exercise text. Any insights would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Kate
I have bought the Essentials of Exercise Science manual first before buying the package of materials through ACE so the 6 month clock (when the exam certification will expire from purchase) doesn’t start ticking while I try to learn the manual. In your percentage break down of the exam you have not listed anything for the manual. I love fitness but am not very good at memorizing everything in the body. Do you think it’s fine to go ahead and purchase all of the materials/how in depth do I need to go at studying the Science manual?
Thanks!
Hi Page, I have read the questions being asked about the test but none of the answers. Hopefully you can help. I am studying the first chapter of the essentials book and it is kicking my butt. Lots to memorize. Should I read through the manual first and not the essentials book. I have no background on any of this so I am learning everything. Any suggestions? Also the test format. Multiple choice? True or false? How much of the anatomy are we going to have to know. All the small and major muscle/ bones or just the major ones. Any information will help me. I am determined. thank you april