Sabrena Jo, Ph.D.

Advisory Board Member

2022

Exercise & Sports Science / Fitness

Forbes Health Advisory Board Member

Sabrena Jo is the senior director of science and research at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). A member of the fitness industry since 1987, she is a certified group fitness instructor, personal trainer and health coach. She’s taught group exercise and owned personal training and health coaching businesses. She previously worked as a full-time faculty instructor in the kinesiology and physical education department at California State University, Long Beach. Sabrena Jo is always searching for new ways to help people start and stick with physical activity.

Sabrena Jo is the senior director of science and research at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). A member of the fitness industry since 1987, she is a certified group fitness instructor, personal trainer and health coach. She’s taught group exercise and owned personal training and health coaching businesses. She previously worked as a full-time faculty instructor in the ....Read More

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Board Certifications and Training

  • American Council on Exercise, Health Coach
  • American Council on Exercise, Personal Trainer
  • American Council on Exercise, Group Fitness Instructor
  • YogaFit, Yoga Instructor
  • American Heart Association, CPR & AED Certification

Education

  • University of Kansas (B.Sc., Kinesiology & Exercise Science)
  • University of Kansas (M.Sc., Physical Education & Biomechanics)
  • University of Kansas ( Ph.D., Exercise Psychology)

Achievements

  • IDEA Personal Fitness Trainer Master Recognition Level
  • Walter Mikols Outstanding Master’s Student Scholarship Award
  • Senior editor and co-author of ACE’s The Exercise Professional’s Guide to Personal Training
  • Senior editor and co-author of ACE’s Coaching Senior Fitness
  • Co-author of Exercise Physiology college textbook
  • Co-author of ACE’s Professional’s Guide to Health and Wellness Coaching

  • 7 Best Chest Exercises, According To Fitness Experts

    Chest strength is about more than physical definition—strong pectoral muscles can help improve posture, benefit breathing and support the surrounding muscles and joints. While building muscle can take time, developing a strong chest doesn’t have to be time-consuming: The key...

  • Fitness As A Family: How To Get Moving With Kids Of Any Age

    Maybe you're a busy parent, and struggling to find the time to get to the gym or to a yoga class like you used to. Or perhaps you're concerned about your child's amount of screen time and want to see...

  • What Is A VO2 Max Chart?

    A person’s maximal oxygen consumption, also known as VO2 max—a measurement of how well the body takes in and uses oxygen while exercising at a high intensity—is a useful statistic to gauge fitness and cardiovascular health. A higher VO2 max...

  • The Best Office Chairs For Back Pain Of 2022

    Whether you’re working from home or back in the office, there’s one thing likely missing your attention: what’s supporting your body while you sit. That’s right, we’re talking about your office chair—and not just for comfort reasons (although that’s important,...

  • A Guide To The Best Donut Pillows For Seniors

    When you’re experiencing a lot of pain, sitting down to relax should bring relief. Unfortunately, for seniors dealing with sores or tailbone-related injuries, such comfort can be difficult to come by. A donut pillow can help. With so many types...

  • How To Pick The Best Posture Bra For You

    Maintaining good posture—the proper alignment of the head, shoulders, hips, spine and knees—is a constant battle. We spend hours hunched over our computers, slouched over our tablets and looking down at our cell phones, all of which strain the neck,...

  • 7 Expert Tips For Improving Flexibility

    Flexibility can seem like something you’re either born with or not. Walk into any yoga class and you can see it firsthand—there’s one group of people who can easily bend, twist and touch their toes and another group who relies...

  • A Guide To The Best Exercises For Seniors

    Exercise is important in all phases of life, but for seniors, it’s critical to maintaining independence, among other benefits. When it comes to determining the best exercises for seniors, variety is key. Adults of all ages—but especially people older than...

  • When Is The Best Time To Exercise?

    When it comes to what time of day is best for a workout, most experts will tell you it’s “whenever you’ll actually do it.” And while exercising at any time is better than not exercising at all, research shows certain...

  • Expert Advice: 5 Prenatal Exercise Myths And What You Really Need To Know

    From the moment you announce you’re pregnant, you’re bombarded with advice regarding what you should and shouldn’t do during your pregnancy, especially as it relates to fitness. Exercise recommendations have changed throughout the years, but according to the American College...

  • Outdoor Workouts: Easy Ways To Boost Your Health

    For outdoor enthusiasts, warmer weather means not only relaxing in nature, but also breaking a sweat amongst the elements. While you can enjoy a wide variety of workouts from the comfort of your home, the great outdoors takes your options...

Health Philosophy

“My mission is to get people moving. I advocate for public health and community initiatives that support people in their environments to be more physically active. Regardless of ability or fitness level, all people should have access to the physical and mental health benefits provided by being physically active. In addition, I support the education and accredited certification of well-qualified exercise professionals and health coaches who are uniquely positioned to implement physical activity programs in their communities.”