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AFAA's Overview

Total employees27
HeadquartersGilbert
Founded2004

The Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) is a leading organization in the fitness and wellness industry, dedicated to certifying fitness professionals and providing high-quality education. Since its founding in 1983, AFAA has empowered hundreds of thousands of individuals with the knowledge and skills to lead effective and safe fitness programs. AFAA offers a variety of certifications, including Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Fitness Trainer, and specialized credentials. It is known for its evidence-based approach and commitment to advancing the careers of fitness professionals worldwide. AFAA is part of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), a division of Ascend Learning.

Where is AFAA's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Serves as the administrative and operational hub for AFAA, coordinating certification development, educational programs, member support, and strategic initiatives in conjunction with NASM.

Notable Features:

Modern office facilities within a larger campus, designed to support a collaborative work environment focused on education and innovation in fitness.

Work Culture:

The work culture is professional, collaborative, and mission-driven, centered on promoting health, wellness, and advancing fitness education. There's an emphasis on continuous improvement and supporting the success of fitness professionals.

HQ Significance:

The Gilbert headquarters is central to AFAA's mission delivery, ensuring the quality, development, and global reach of its certification programs. It facilitates synergy and shared resources with NASM, enhancing operational efficiency.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters reflects AFAA's commitment to excellence in education, professionalism, innovation, and its dedication to the fitness and wellness community.

Location:

AFAA supports fitness professionals globally through its internationally recognized certifications and online educational programs. While its primary operations are based in the US, its courses and materials are accessible worldwide, allowing individuals from various countries to become AFAA-certified and pursue continuing education. AFAA also collaborates with international partners to extend its reach.

Street Address:

355 E. Germann Road, Suite 201

City:

Gilbert

State/Province:

Arizona

Country:

USA

AFAA's Global Presence

Buying Intent Signals for AFAA

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Executive Team of AFAA

As of April 2025, AFAA' leadership includes:

Meg Varnavas - General Manager, NASM/AFAA
Mike Fantigrassi - Senior Director of Product Development, NASM/AFAA
Jamie Pope, PhD, RDN, LDN, FAND - Director of Nutrition Content, NASM/AFAA

Investors of AFAA

AFAA has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

AFAA is part of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), which is a division of Ascend Learning. Ascend Learning is owned by private equity firms, including Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments).

Executive New Hires/Exits in the Last 12 Months

Hire1
Exits0

No specific AFAA-only executive team changes have been publicly announced in the last 12 months. Leadership for AFAA is closely integrated with NASM and its parent company, Ascend Learning. Notably, Ascend Learning appointed a new CEO in early 2024.

New Appointments:

Mehul Patel, Mehul Patel appointed as new CEO of Ascend Learning, AFAA's parent company, overseeing its portfolio including NASM and AFAA.

Technology (Tech Stack) used by AFAA

Discover the tools AFAA uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

AFAA Email Formats and Examples

Common email formats for organizations like AFAA often involve combinations of first name, last name, and initials. Given AFAA's integration with NASM, email addresses might also use the @nasm.org domain for some personnel. For direct AFAA inquiries or AFAA-specific roles, an @afaa.com format is plausible.

A common format is [first_initial][last]@afaa.com or [first].[last]@afaa.com. For example, jdoe@afaa.com.

Format

msmith@afaa.com

Example

70%

Success rate

News and media

AFAA Press Release / ClubIndustry.comFebruary 7, 2023

AFAA Debuts Redesigned Group Fitness Instructor Program

AFAA announced the launch of its significantly redesigned Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) program, featuring updated content, interactive learning modules, and enhanced resources to prepare instructors for the modern fitness landscape....more

NASM Press Release / PR NewswireOctober 18, 2023

NASM and AFAA Announce Return of Optima Conference in 2024

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) announced the return of their annual Optima Conference, scheduled for October 10-13, 2024. The event brings together fitness and wellness professionals for education, networking, and innovation....more

Ascend Learning Press ReleaseJanuary 22, 2024

Ascend Learning Appoints Mehul Patel as Chief Executive Officer

Ascend Learning, the parent company of AFAA and NASM, announced the appointment of Mehul Patel as its new Chief Executive Officer. Patel brings extensive experience in technology-driven education and workforce development....more

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