REI has joined forces with the American Council on Exercise (ACE) to offer specialized training for mountain climbing, backpacking and 5-10K runs in select REI store communities
beginning in February.

The partnership between REI and ACE brings a deeper level of fitness expertise to REI Outdoor School, the co-op’s signature outdoor education program, while enabling ACE to engage REI’s active members and customers in safe and effective exercise programming.

The classes help people improve their personal fitness and achieve their outdoor goals, from crossing the finish line to reaching the mountain summit and beyond. Additionally, ACE contributed a set of informative, consumer-oriented articles to REI’s online Expert Advice pages.

“The people who come to REI want to get fit so they can enjoy the outdoor activities they love,” said Rebecca Bear, Outdoor Programs and Outreach Manager at REI. “By joining forces with ACE and integrating its training expertise into our REI Outdoor School class lineup, we’re providing customers with fun and energizing new ways to train for their next big run, ride or climb.”

The training series classes are led by NCCA-certified fitness professionals and structured as small-group sessions over a seven-week period. This unique format offers personalized attention in a social atmosphere that encourages progress toward common goals. Classes launching next month include:

• Mountain Climbing Training Series: Building Strength and Fitness to Reach Your Summit
• Backpacking Training Series: Get Fit for Your Weekend Trips and Thru Hikes
• 5K – 10K Run Training Series: Enhance Your Run with Improved Strength and Fitness

Each class incorporates an initial baseline fitness assessment and six 45- to 60-minute field training sessions. Participants receive instruction in stability and mobility, strength training, balance and cardiovascular conditioning. Priced competitively with conventional fitness programming options, registration begins at $120 for REI members and $150 for non-members.

“REI is a trusted name in outdoor recreation with a large national reach and a strong base of members and customers who enjoy being active,” said ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune. “Collaborating with the co-op enables us to expand access to well-qualified fitness professionals who are delivering evidence-based programming and content designed to help people live their most fit lives.”
 
In the coming months, REI will launch additional training series classes focused on cycling, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding. Beyond the training series, the co-op is also rolling out an expanded set of single-session classes and outings focused on running, hiking, yoga and other fitness activities. For more information on REI classes and outings, visit REI.com/learn.