Prepare for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) exam with these practice questions and answers. This covers class design, cueing techniques, and participant safety.
Q: Which of the following is outside of the Scope of Practice?A. conducting pre-class assessments of participants and the class environmentB. Providing class participants with science-based nutrition advice and meal planning.C. Protecting participant confidentiality, even when a family or friend inquires about a participant’s progress.D. Teaching participants how to monitor intensity using HR, RPE, or ventilator response.
Answer: B. providing nutrition information
Q: A GFI who attends an ACE-sponsored live workshop at a health and fitness conference will likely receive a_____A. professional certificationB. knowledge-based certificateC. curriculum-based certificateD. certificate of completion
Answer: D. certificate of completion
Q: Which statement about the scope of practice is correct?A. Scope of practice is universal and doesn’t vary by location.B. Scope of practice includes the setting in which a professional’s services can be provided.C. Scope of practice includes optional guidelines and parameters that can be followed by the professional.D. Scope of practice is based on the education required to work in a given field.
Answer: B. Scope of practice includes the setting in which a professional’s services can be provided.
Q: What is the role of certifications in the fitness industry?A. To provide evidence of a completed course on a particular topic.B. To provide a competency-based assessment to identify individuals who are qualified to practice in a given job role.C. To provide continuing education for veteran professionals.D. To provide fitness enthusiasts with an introduction to the career opportunities in the industry.
Answer: B. To provide a competency-based assessment to identify individuals who are qualified to practice in a given job role.
Q: Which of the following is an appropriate choice of continuing education for a group fitness instructor looking to expand her services?A. Advanced balance training for older adults.B. Kinesiotaping for injury preventionC. Exercise prescription for cardiac rehabilitationD. Nutrient intake analysis using 24-hour dietary recalls.
Answer: A. Advanced balance training for older adults.
Q: What is considered to be a disadvantage of teaching pre-choreographed class formats?A. A performance-like delivery from the instructor.B. The ongoing costs of new music and choreographyC. An always-changing environmentD. The challenge of improving proficiency over time.
Answer: B. The ongoing costs of new music and choreography
Q: Which of the following is the MOST appropriate method for increasing range of motion during the warm-up portion of a group fitness class?A. Dynamic movementsB. Static stretchingC. PNF stretchingD. Ballistic stretching
Answer: A. Dynamic movements
Q: Which of the following statements about the post-conditioning cool-down is MOST accurate?A. It is important to perform static stretches at the beginning of the cool down.B. The arms should be kept above the level of the heart to reduce the chance of blood pooling.C. Work should be less intense than during the conditioning segment of the class.D. Driving music should be used to keep participants excited during the final segment of class.
Answer: C. Work should be less intense than during the conditioning segment of the class.
Q: What occurs when a muscle spindle is activated due to a quick stretching of a muscle?A. The muscle spindle causes a reflex contraction in the antagonist muscle group.B. The muscle spindle relaxes the agonist muscle group.C. The muscle spindle causes a reflex contraction in the muscle stretched.D. The muscle spindle causes a reflex inhibition.
Answer: C. The muscle spindle causes a reflex contraction in the muscle stretched.
Q: Performing muscular contractions at high velocity is primarily focused on improving which component of physical fitness?A. Reaction TimeB. Muscular StrengthC. PowerD. Muscular Endurance
Answer: C. Power
Q: What repetition range is recommended to effectively improve strength in older adults who are starting exercise?A. 8-12B. 10-15C. 15-20D. 20-25
Answer: B. 10-15
Q: The _________ principle demonstrates the importance of physical activity.A. SpecificityB. ProgressionC. OverloadD. Reversibility
Answer: Reversibility
Q: Which of the following joints is designed to favor stability more then mobility?A. GlenohumeralB. Thoracic SpineC. HipD. Knee
Answer: D. Knee
Q: Which series of movements is performed in the sagittal plane?A. flexion, extension, plantar flexion, dorsiflexionB. Abduction, adduction, lateral spinal flexionC. Spinal rotation, and shoulder adduction and abductionD. Circumduction, opposition, elevation, depression
Answer: A. flexion, extension, plantar flexion, dorsiflexion
Q: Which of the following exercises is an example of adduction in the frontal plane?A. Bicep curlB. Bench PressC. Body-weight squatD. Lateral shoulder raise
Answer: D. Lateral shoulder raise
Q: Which of the following primary moments required are listed in the proper order to perform the following tasks: lift a heavy box off the floor, carry it upstairs, open a closet door, and place the box on a high shelf?A. upper body pull, double leg movement, rotate, upper body pushB. bend and lift, double leg movement, upper body pull, and rotateC. bend and lift, single leg movement, upper body pull, upper body pushD. upper body push, single leg movement, rotate, upper body pull
Answer: C. bend and lift, single leg, upper body pull, upper body push
Q: A person swimming laps in order to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness will PRIMARILY derive energy from which pathway?A. Aerobic systemB. Anaerobic systemC. Phosphagen systemD. Glycolytic anaerobic system
Answer: A. Aerobic system
Q: The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis are collectively known as the _____A. QuadricepsB. Hip FlexorsC. HamstringsD. Hip extensors
Answer: A. Quadriceps
Q: Which of the following core muscles is/are PRIMARILY responsible for spinal extension?A. obliquesB. erector spinaeC. hamstringsD. Hip extensors
Answer: B. erector spinae
Q: After observing a participants posture, an instructor encourages them to stretch the muscles of the chest, and work on strengthening the erector spinae, trapezius, and rhomboids. What type of posture did the instructor MOST likely observe?A. LordosisB. KyphosisC. ScoliosisD. Arthrosis
Answer: B. Kyphosis
Q: Which of the following types of flooring is the BEST option when trying to control undesirable medial-lateral motions of the foot?A. GrassB. ConcreteC. WoodD. Carpet
Answer: C. Wood
Q: Which combination of symptoms required immediate medical attention?A. Cold, clammy skin and low BPB. Headache and general weaknessC. profuse sweating and a weak, rapid pulseD. Bright red skin color and labored breathing
Answer: D. Bright red skin color and labored breathing
Q: Cold environments can cause a generalized vasoconstriction that can be dangerous for individuals withA. hypertensionB. low-back painC. hypotensionD. osteoporosis
Answer: A. hypertension
Q: What music volume would meet the recommendations for a high-intensity interval training class?A. 80 decibelsB. 90 decibelsC. 95 decibelsD. 100 decibels
Answer: A. 80 decibels
Q: Which of the following group fitness class formats would be a good match for using music in the foreground?A. dance-based fitness classesB. boot campC. aquatic exerciseD. yoga
Answer: A. dance-based fitness classes
Q: HR and talk test are the two PRIMARY methods recommended for monitoring exercise intensity in which of the following formats?A. an aquatic based class for older adultsB. A high-intensity indoor cycling classC. A beginner kickboxing classD. A Pilates Reformer class
Answer: B. A high-intensity indoor cycling class
Q: What is the primary disadvantage of using target HR to monitor intensity in a group setting?A. the prediction equations have standard deviations of 7 to 12 beats per minuteB. finding the target HR requires tests in a laboratory settingC. The 6 to 20 scale can be confusing for new exercisersD. many participants do not know their resting HR, which is needed for equation
Answer: A. the prediction equations have standard deviations of 7 to 12 beats per minute
Q: Which intensity-monitoring method takes into account each individual participant’s metabolic responses to exercise?A. Target HRB. Talk TestC. RPED. Dyspnea scale
Answer: B. Talk Test
Q: What is the FIRST step in the planning process that GFI’s can use to design a well-organized class?A. Identify the moderate-intensity version of each movement featuredB. Choose appropriate music that will motivate participants while keeping them moving at an appropriate paceC. Identify the broader focus of what the class intends to accomplishD. Choose a class title that will appeal to potential participants
Answer: C. Identify the broader focus of what the class intends to accomplish
Q: To help participants develop more effective movement patterns, GFI’s should develop a dynamic warm-up that focuses on adequate mobility in four key areas, including the __________A. HipsB. KneesC. Scapulothoracic regionD. Lumbar spine
Answer: A. Hips
Q: The PRIMARY goal of the birddog exercise is to________A. promote thoracic spine mobilityB. Enhance hip mobilityC. Improve shoulder mobilityD. Enhance stability of the lumbar spine
Answer: D. Enhance stability of the lumbar spine
Q: Following a step training class, several participants voice their frustration at being unable to perform certain movements correctly during the conditioning phase of class. What is the MOST appropriate action for the GFI to take during the warm-up of the subsequent class session?A. incorporate more stability-focused movements into the warm-upB. Extend the warm-up in order to elevate the participants’ heart ratesC. Incorporate more rehearsal moves into the warm-upD. Increase the intensity of the warm-up to better prepare them for the conditioning segment
Answer: C. Incorporate more rehearsal moves into the warm-up
Q: Myofascial release is MOST appropriate during which portion of class?A. Between the resistance and cardiorespiratory segments of classB. As a recovery segment during the conditioning phaseC. During the cool-downD. At the very beginning of class
Answer: C. During the cool-down
Q: What would be a safe and effective way to modify an existing 60-minute class blueprint to create an express lunchtime class that lasts 40 minutes?A. eliminate the cool-down, encouraging participants to stretch on their ownB. Maximize class time by including higher-intensity intervals lasting 15-60 seconds with a 1:1 exercise-to-recovery interval ratio.C. Maximize class time by shortening the recovery intervals following each high-intensity interval to a 2:1 exercise-to-recover ratio.D. Shorten the warm-up and cool-down segments of class to allow the conditioning segment to remain the same
Answer: B. Maximize class time by including higher-intensity intervals lasting 15-60 seconds with a 1:1 exercise-to-recovery interval ratio.
Q: Which of the following BEST promotes muscular balance throughout the body during class?A. incorporating bilateral movements as well as moving forward and backwardB. using lighter weights and more repetitions to improve muscular enduranceC. progressing from single-to multi-joint movementsD. Always providing the easiest version of an exercise and then offering progressions.
Answer: A. incorporating bilateral movements as well as moving forward and backward
Q: Which of the following is considered a physical-activity factor that may influence a person’s decision to engage in exercise?A. Health statusB. Activity HistoryC. InjuryD. Access to facilities
Answer: C. Injury
Q: What is the most common reason that individuals provide for not exercising or for dropping out of an exercise program?A. lack of access to a facilityB. injuryC. chronic illnessD. lack of time
Answer: D. lack of time
Q: Which of the following statements about rapport is true?A. rapport can be defined as a relationship of trust and mutual understandingB. rapport is static and established during the first interaction with an individualC. active listening and establishing professional expertise are key elements in the development of rapportD. good rapport will eliminate feelings of insecurity and apprehension among class participants
Answer: A. rapport can be defined as a relationship of trust and mutual understanding
Q: Which verbal communication technique helps the GFI empathize with the participant and clarify the main points and feelings the participant is communicating?A. open-ended questionsB. close-ended questionsC. reflective listeningD. encouragement
Answer: C. reflective listening
Q: A person who participates in your dance-based group fitness class once or twice each week and reports no other leisure-time activity is in which stage of behavioral change?A. ContemplationB. PreparationC. ActionD. Maintenance
Answer: D. Maintenance
Q: What is the primary goal for an exerciser in the action stage of behavioral change?A. Maintain physical activity as a habit through motivation and adherenceB. Regularly participate in structured physical activityC. Get involved in some type of activity, avoiding boredom or burnout
Answer: A. Maintain physical activity as a habit through motivation and adherence
Q: Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?A. A spouse taking a participant out to dinner once a month as a reward for making it to the gym three times each week.B. A participant treating herself to a manicure and pedicure after every 10 classes she attendsC. A participant receiving a free t0shirt from the facility after attending 15 classes in one monthD. A participant continuing to attend weekly Yoga classes because he enjoys the sense of relaxation he experiences.
Answer: D. A participant continuing to attend weekly Yoga classes because he enjoys the sense of relaxation he experiences.
Q: What is the BEST course of action for a GFI to take it he or she finds a strip of peeling rubber along the edge of a step platform while setting up the room prior to class?A.Repair the step by cutting off the torn piece of rubberB. use the step while teaching so that no participant has to use itC. Remove the step from the class and report the issue to managementD. Place a sign on the step alerting participants to the damage
Answer: C. Remove the step from the class and report the issue to management
Q: Which classroom arrangement is the BEST option for a youth fitness class?A. CircleB. StaggerC. Parallel linesD. Horizontal lines
Answer: A. Circle
Q: Organizing the class participants into a horizontal line with the GFI facing the participants is the BEST option for a(n)_________ class.A. KettlebellB. older adult balance trainingC. Dance basedD. Pilates reformer
Answer: Kettlebell
Q: A participant approaches you prior to class to let you know that English is his second language and that he sometimes struggles to understand your cues. What is the BEST response in this situation?A. begin your cues earlier so he has more time to reactB. lower the music volume and increase the mic volumeC. make other participants aware of the situation and teach a lower-intensity classD. incorporate aerobic q-signs, using them in addition to your verbal cues
Answer: D. incorporate aerobic q-signs, using them in addition to your verbal cues
Q: When using visual cues, what does holding up one thumb indicate to the class?A. Positive reinforcement and praiseB. Increase the tempo of this movementC. intensity will increase in the next setD. hold this position for 8 more counts
Answer: A. Positive reinforcement and praise
Q: The use of which type of cueing often requires permission from the class participants?A. kinesthetic touchB. verbalC. visualD. directional
Answer: A. kinesthetic touch
Q: The ________ style of teaching has traditionally been the most commonly used style in group fitness classes, as it is well-suited to warming up, cooling down, and introducing new movements.A. practiceB. commandC. self-checkD. autonomous
Answer: B. command
Q: Use of the talk test during a group fitness class is an example of the _______ style of teaching.A. practiceB. commandC. self-checkD. inclusion
Answer: C. self-check
Q: Teaching a new mother who is returning to exercise after the birth of her first child that strengthening the muscles of the upper back will make carrying the baby a little easier addresses which learning domain?A. cognitiveB. affectiveC. psychomotorD. associative
Answer: A. cognitive
Q: A participant who immediately respond when hearing the instructor cue ” four grapevines left” by performing the movement the movement smoothly and in time with the music is in which stage of learning?A. cognitiveB. affectiveC. autonomousD. associative
Answer: C. autonomous
Q: Which of the following teaching strategies should be used sparingly during the peak of the conditioning segment of class due to its tendency to reduce exercise intensity?A. repetition-reductionB. add-inC. layeringD. slow-to-fast
Answer: D. slow-to-fast
Q: Which teaching strategy involves the performance of a base movement followed by the addition of variables such as changes in direction, rhythm, and lever length?A. part-to-wholeB. Simple-to-complexC. slow-to-fastD. repetition-reduction
Answer: Simple-to-complex
Q: It is the responsibility of the _______ to put into place procedures for determining if medical evaluation is warranted prior to an individual participating in physical activity based on the health-related information provided on his or her pre-participation forms.A. group fitness instructorB. business operatorC. participantD. primary care physician
Answer: B. business operator
Q: Which of the following would be recommended for a class participant with a cardiac condition?A. using the valsalva maneuver to increase force production during resistance trainingB. performing isometric exercises to improve posture and increase muscle toneC. alternate between exercises performed lying down and standing up with little rest timeD. participating in classes that focus on moderate-to-high intensity exercise
Answer: D. participating in classes that focus on moderate-to-high intensity exercise
Q: Which of the following intensity-monitoring techniques is MOST appropriate when working with a participant with asthma?A. talk testB. Dyspnea scaleC. target HRD. percent of maximal HR
Answer: B. Dyspnea scale
Q: Which of the following is the BEST option for enhancing tissue elasticity and increasing joint lubrication in participants with osteoporosis?A. dynamic flexibility exercisesB. isometric strengthening exercisesC. unilateral exercisesD. body-weight exercises
Answer: A. dynamic flexibility exercises
Q: _________ is a common cause off hyperglycemia during exercise.A. consuming too many calories before exerciseB. low pre-blood glucose levelsC. too much pre-exercise insulinD. insufficient glucose consumption during activity
Answer: A. consuming too many calories before exercise
Q: Which of the following is a late symptom of hypoglycemia?A. anxietyB. confusionC. extreme hungerD. loss of motor coordination
Answer: D. loss of motor coordination
Q: What is the BEST way to build endurance when performing the birddog exercise?A. extend the hold timeB. increase the range motionC. increase the speed of movementD. perform more repetitions
Answer: D. perform more repetitions
Q: What is the BEST exercise option for an older client who has osteoporosis?A. indoor cyclingB. swimming lapsC. aquatic exerciseD. group strength
Answer: D. group strength
Q: Which of the following statements about youth exercisers is MOST accurate?A. they sweat more than adultsB. their maximal HR is much higher than their adult counterpartsC. they reach much higher blood pressure during exercise than adultsD. they have a lower body surface-to-mass ratio than adults
Answer: B. their maximal HR is much higher than their adult counterparts
Q: Which of the following exercises may need to be avoided by pregnant women who are in their third trimester?A. deep knee bendsB. recumbent cyclingC. birddogD. side bridge
Answer: A. deep knee bends
Q: Which class of medication reduces resting, exercising, and maximal exercising heart rates?A. diureticsB. caffeineC. antidepressantsD. beta-blockers
Answer: D. beta-blockers
Q: Cueing participants to perform a single-leg hamstring curl at each of a grapevine is an example of ________A. matchingB. patchingC. mendingD. blending
Answer: A. matching
Q: Which of the following statements about progressions is MOST accurate?A. it is effective to cue progressions as “advanced” or “high level” optionsB. the GFI should teach the progressed version of each movement, only offering regressions when necessaryC. when offering higher-intensity options, refer to them as “progressions” rather than “modifications”D. encourage all participants to perform progressions whenever possible, as the standard versions are often not intense enough
Answer: C. when offering higher-intensity options, refer to them as “progressions” rather than “modifications”
Q: The three natural curves of the spine are best observed from a(n)______________ view.A. frontalB. lateralC. anteriorD. posterior
Answer: B. lateral
Q: If a participant is standing with good overall posture, the _______ will be visible from the anterior view.A. knucklesB. elbowsC. thumbs and index fingersD. forward-head position
Answer: C. thumbs and index fingers
Q: Which of the following actions is MOST appropriate if you are experiencing symptoms of burnout while teaching multiple step-training classes each week?A. switch classes with another GFI to have exposure to new studentsB. lower the intensity of the classes you teachC. add a few circuit training classes to your schedule, as they require less instructor participationD. extend the cool-down segment to give you more time to relax during class
Answer: A. switch classes with another GFI to have exposure to new students
Q: What is the most likely explanation for an experiences participant exhibiting improper exercise technique during class?A. rhabdomyosisB. injuryC. burnoutD. fatigue
Answer: D. fatigue
Q: Which of the following is an example of a symptom, as opposed to a sign, of injury or illness?A. loss of coordinationB. heavy coughingC. dizzinessD. blue lips
Answer: C. dizziness
Q: Which of the following types of musculoskeletal injury requires that the instructor active EMS?A. compound fractureB. contusionC. strainD. sprain
Answer: A. compound fracture
Q: A participant reports pain and tightness under the foot that gets worse when he jogs. What is the condition MOST associated with these symptoms?A. plantar fasciitisB. shin splintsC. patellofemoral pain syndromeD. illitibial band syndrome
Answer: A. plantar fasciitis
Q: Which of the following statements about cerebrovascular emergencies is MOST accurate?A. asthma attack is a common example that must be managed by the GFIB. EMS should be activated if any cerebrovascular emergency takes placeC. common signs of this emergency include coughing and syncopeD. during a cerebrovascular emergency, the individual will likely not be breathing at all.
Answer: B. EMS should be activated if any cerebrovascular emergency takes place
Q: Extreme cases of ______ can result in fatigue, lethargy, and possible cardiac arrest.A. Head exhaustionB. hypothermiaC. heat strokeD. hypothermia
Answer: D. hypothermia
Q: Which of the following statements about reporting an accident that occurs during a class is most accurate?A. the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses should be recorded.B. the report should be kept on file for a minimum of one year.C. an accident report is needed only when EMS was activatedD. witness statements about who was to blame should be recorded.
Answer: A. the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses should be recorded.
Q: ____________ represents an intrinsic risk factor for the participant.A. importer footwearB. the temperature of the roomC. a strength or flexibility imbalanceD. complexity of the movements
Answer: C. a strength or flexibility imbalance
Q: Adhering to the appropriate standard of care will help instructors reduce their risk of ____________.A. negligenceB. LiabilityC. copyright infringementD. improper referral
Answer: B. Liability
Q: Which of the following is among the supervision guidelines and responsibilities of a group fitness instructor?A. continuous supervision in immediate proximity to the participantsB. specific supervision of individual participants, even in larger groupsC. securing a blanket license for the use of copyrighted musicD. providing classes with progressions for elite participants
Answer: A. continuous supervision in immediate proximity to the participants
Q: Which of the following documents is used to make the dangers of a program or test procedure known to the participant?A. waiverB. contractC. informed consentD. agreement to participate
Answer: C. informed consent
Q: Which type of insurance policy would cover the shortfall should a judgement against an instructor exceed the coverage of his or her other insurance policies?A. professional liabilityB. personal liabilityC. umbrella liabilityD. rider policy
Answer: C. umbrella liability
Q: Which of the following it among the four elements necessary to form a binding contract?A. the existence of a right to controlB. an exchange of items of valueC. complete list of exercise equipment provided by the facilityD. agreement on the scheduled weekly payment for services
Answer: B. an exchange of items of value
Q: Which of the following individuals is MOST likely to be considered an independent contractor?A. a GFI who has been teaching at a facility for more than two yearsB. A GFI who is paid on a weekly basis based on a set number of hoursC. A GFI offering lunchtime workouts for employees at a publishing companyD. A GFI teaching classes using the equipment already in place at a fitness facility
Answer: C. A GFI offering lunchtime workouts for employees at a publishing company
Q: When posting before-and-after pictures of a regular class participant who has lost a considerable amount of weight one a Facebook page, the instructor should _________.A. ask the participant for permission during classB. use only the participant’s first nameC. blur out the participants faceD. option written consent from the participant
Answer: D. option written consent from the participant