A Pilates teacher training program is an opportunity for pilates enthusiasts to formalise their knowledge of Pilates and pass on the beauty of the system to others. Anyone interested in training to teach anything should first have experience in that field and be in search of more in depth understanding. Key components to a Pilates training program:

Pre requisite for entry

A teacher training program is to train teachers to teach, not to help them learn Pilates themselves. To teach any skill requires in-depth knowledge. This is especially true with Pilates where the connection of the mind to the body, combined with precision and control to move well, is crucial to the success of the system. If a teacher is still learning to understand the system themselves, they will struggle to teach correctly beyond just executing repertoire. Having a basic knowledge of Pilates can take from 50 sessions to 100, before assessment into a program.

Full studio apparatus

The system of Pilates incorporates several apparatus in order to adequately provide the client the tools necessary to move well and find balance. Often mat or reformer only courses repurpose exercises from other apparatus and lose the integrity and effectiveness of the system.  

Comprehensive breakdown of exercises from basic to advanced

Understanding the end goals of the ranges of movement is essential in order to begin to guide a client to move well. Many courses modify and change exercises to allow people with other specialities to teach with a limited understanding of Pilates. This largely defeats the efficacy of the Pilates system. Teachers will be limiting their own clients’ progression by not fully understanding the method or using Pilates based exercises/apparatus for other purposes such as physical therapy exercises or weight training.  The comprehensive Pilates method includes over 700 different exercises. The core of this is often taught in no less than 50 hours of seminars.  A comprehensive course will also include apprentice hours throughout the duration of the apprenticeship in order to review content of seminars,  often around 50-100 hours.

In depth training on safety of teaching and use of apparatus

Pilates apparatus contain both moving pieces and spring based resistance, all of which can be dangerous if not used properly or used with a body that is not ready for the resistance of the springs. 

Anatomy and modifications for various bodies and needs

Understanding how a body moves is critical to understanding how a client should move well in an exercise. It is also important to understand how to modify the exercise to accommodate various bodies and when to not use an exercise as it’s not appropriate for any needs the client may have. Unlike many gym exercises, each exercise in Pilates involves the entire body, requiring awareness of movement and sometimes the need to not use that exercise in the system.

Teaching observation

Each and every client is different and unique. Understanding how to translate the theory of Pilates exercises and movement within those exercises,  along with building a system for each client varies for each client. Observing how to teach clients allows apprentices to understand how to take the theory of Pilates into practice with each client. 

Hands on learning

The success of the system of Pilates involves the body being in alignment and moving from the correct muscles. Part of the role of the teacher is to correct misalignment and support a client when learning how to move in the exercises appropriately. Where and how to touch a client is incredibly important to the comfort and success of the client.

Access to apparatus for personal practice 

Along with observing clients and hands on learning, anyone learning to teach Pilates needs to practice on other trainees as well as continue to practice and improve their own personal understanding and knowledge of pilates within their own body.  Understanding Pilates within yourself not only deepens your teaching ability but also preserves the methodology of Pilates.

Practical and written testing

Teaching Pilates involves not only knowing a large volume of knowledge of the system of exercises and apparatus, but also how to create an appropriate system for each client while teaching and helping them understand the system. Testing demonstrates teachers have the basic knowledge of the system, basic ability of how to teach the exercises while creating a system and maintaining the safety of a client, enough practice to teach clients independently.Teaching observation, hands on learning, and personal practice and test taking take time.  The usual expectation in a comprehensive program is 600-1000 hours.  Any seasoned teacher will tell you it’s usually more. 

Bottom line

Teaching Pilates is an incredibly fulfilling career, focused on humble reveling in other’s progress. 

In these times it may be tempting to enroll in a quick weekend Pilates instructor course and to view teaching as an instagram opportunity or a bandwagon on which to just to make money or add to a repertoire of gym instructor classes. Teaching Pilates for high profit and popularity involves a lot of hard work in marketing and a high turn over of clients without the long term benefits.

Investing in a comprehensive training program which incorporates the time to absorb the material and provides you with in-depth knowledge of Pilates will prepare you to teach a system of Pilates you understand and love. This will culminate in a day to day ease of teaching well in a full studio with visible results in each and every dedicated and long standing client.

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