Fitness pros help U.S. military stay fit

SAN DIEGO, May 18 (UPI) -- Fitness professionals are helping keep U.S. military personnel and their families fit, officials of the American Council on Exercise say.

As a way of encouraging people to live their most fit lives, the American Council on Exercise and President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition are facilitating the fitness component of this national initiative to improve America's fitness along with Michelle Obama's and Jill Biden's campaign in support of the U.S. military, "Joining Forces."

The groups are calling upon the entire fitness industry to collectively pledge at least 1 million hours of fitness services at no cost for use by actively deployed military reservists, National Guard members and their families.

"The American Council on Exercise raised 115,291 hours, which are being redeemed by military personnel and their families in many ways, including working out with certified fitness professionals on safe and effective exercises," an ACE spokesman said. "Donations can range from hours of free personal training to seats in group fitness classes to fitness products, such as DVDs and equipment."

Fitness professionals can donate hours while service members and their families can sign up to redeem hours via Joining Forces at www.acefitness.org/joiningforces.