Pilates Teacher Training 101

Have you been considering doing Pilates teacher training? Even if you don’t necessarily want to be a teacher, there are lots of great reasons to do so. Finding the right path can be confusing, though, as there are a lot of options out there (some more reputable than others). Let me unravel things a bit for you. 

Why Do Pilates Teacher Training?

The obvious reason that people do Pilates teacher training is because they want to pursue teaching the method themselves. Many others do so to add knowledge and expertise to their existing career; they may teach another fitness modality or work in the health and wellness space. Others still just love to learn! I’ve had a few students now who want to understand the Pilates method better to apply it to their own practice. Whatever your reason, completing teacher training is so very rewarding. 

Which Type of Teacher Training Should You Do?

When I first discovered Pilates, it was in a mat class at the gym. I had no idea there were Pilates studios and all of the apparatuses that went along with it. My first Pilates teacher training was Pilates for Fitness through BCRPA, which was about a 40-hour course. Luckily for me, my teacher taught the course in her Pilates studio and I quickly realized that Pilates was much more than what I was learning. My curiosity was hooked, and here I am today with my own Pilates Teacher Training courses. 

Course Types

So, where should you start? Part of that depends on your end goals. If you just want to learn more or supplement something you already do, then mat-only training may be just right. On the other end of the spectrum, there is comprehensive training that will teach you all the apparatuses (including the mat), the history of Pilates, and some anatomy. Then there are courses that fall in between offering modules, one apparatus training at a time, or are specialized to the studio itself. 

Certification

Another question you should ask yourself is “Do I want to be certified?”. Some courses will give you a Certificate of Completion, but that isn’t the same as being professionally certified. What I offer at B.Pilates and Fitness is a 100-hour mat teacher training program and a subsequent 500-hour comprehensive program which both meet the requirements needed to write the NCPC-PMC (National Pilates Certification Program). 

After you graduate from my course, you will be eligible to register and test with the NCPC to acquire your certification as a mat or comprehensive teacher. This is internationally recognized, showing that you can teach a safe and effective class. This also requires that you keep up with your continuing education, first aid, and CPR and renew with them every 2 years.

The Difference Between Mat & Comprehensive

At b.Pilates & Fitness, the Mat Teacher Training program is 100 hours long and covers all of the original mat exercises from Joseph Pilates’ book The Return to Life Through Contrology. This course is a prerequisite to the Comprehensive Training Program, which is 500 hours long and you will learn all of the exercises on all of the apparatuses in levels.  So our first section of training is foundations on the mat, reformer, chair, ladder barrel, spine corrector, and all the other accessory apparatus. Then we move on to intermediate and then advanced exercises. Both courses contain lectures, self practice, practice teaching, observation, practice teaching, quizzes, and exams. 

My Suggestion On Where To Start

I think that starting with mat-only Pilates teacher training is a great way to get started with teaching Pilates and it’s exactly the way Joseph Pilates first taught. The mat work is incredibly challenging when you do the full sequence and it can also be modified for almost anyone. He created his system of mat work long before inventing and building the various apparatuses, which were designed to help clients build strength and awareness of their movement. 

Finally, comprehensive training is a big financial and time commitment. Starting with mat Pilates training allows you to try teacher training before jumping into the deep end. Researching my own program development also surprised me with the cost of some programs. It’s hard to compare, as programs are run in so many different ways, but I will say to do your homework!

Pilates is a classical system of movement similar to classical dance, martial arts, and many other sports. The more you practice the foundations and hone your skills, the more you’ll progress and be able to do the more advanced exercises. Pilates teacher training is an excellent way to advance your personal practice and a career in health and fitness.