Best Practices for Pilates Teacher Training Programs
The Pilates method is widely respected for its holistic approach to physical fitness. However, the lack of universal regulation in Pilates teacher training programs creates ambiguity for aspiring instructors. Throughout my two decades in the industry, I’ve identified gaps in the programs I completed, particularly the lack of emphasis on soft skills and the integration of exercises across different apparatuses. In this article I share the things you need to consider when developing a robust teacher training program.
So if I was developing a Teacher Training Program where would I start…
1. What Format is Best?
A Comprehensive Pilates teacher training program should offer a thorough understanding of the method, including its history and lineage. Research supports that holistic and integrative learning approaches result in better retention and application of knowledge.
You could structure the program in one of the following ways:
Comprehensive Training: This method connects all Pilates apparatuses into a cohesive system. For example, if a student struggles with the Teaser on the Reformer, guiding them to the Cadillac or Wunda Chair can help to address specific weaknesses. This approach emphasises how equipment interrelates and helps students progress clients efficiently.
Block Format Training: ‘In a Block Format style of training, we begin by learning all exercises on one piece of equipment before moving onto another. While this approach focuses on examining one piece of equipment at a time, it risks fragmenting the learning experience if not integrated into the broader system.
Online Training: While online Pilates certifications are popular, they often miss the critical hands-on experience that in-person training offers. In-person tutorials provide immediate feedback and allow you to feel the exercises in your body, which is essential for mastering effective cueing and technique. This tactile learning is key to truly understanding and teaching the Pilates method.
2. Hours of Training: What Makes a Robust Program?
Here’s a guide to the required hours to complete a well-rounded Pilates teacher training program:
● Tutorials: The industry standard, set by leading Pilates training providers, requires a minimum of 150 hours of in-person instruction focused on anatomy, technique, cueing, and modifications.
● Personal Practice: Minimum 125 hours to reinforce techniques learned during tutorials.
● Pilates Teaching: Minimum 150 hours of supervised teaching.
● Observation: Minimum of 100 hours spent observing experienced instructors.
● Assisting in a Studio: 50-75 hours gaining hands-on experience with clients.
Research supports that students who spend significant time in supervised, hands-on environments are better prepared for professional practice. A study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Education concludes that students who spend more time in hands-on environments are better prepared for professional practice. Practical learning in clinical settings improves their confidence effectively.
3. Curriculum Development: Let’s Reflect on the Content and Structure
A comprehensive course should cover all aspects of Pilates instruction:
● Apparatus and System-Based Teaching: Teach all equipment as an interconnected system to ensure that instructors can adapt exercises across different apparatuses while maintaining the same focus and objective. By moving between apparatuses with similar movement objectives, clients can gradually progress and eventually execute the originally challenging exercise with improved form and confidence.
● Anatomy and Pathology: Include general and functional anatomy, covering specific conditions like spinal pathologies, joint replacements, and osteoporosis as well as understanding how to perform a postural analysis.
● Programming and Progressions: Teach how to create progressions tailored to individual clients.
● Cueing and Modifications: Emphasise clear communication and modifications for various skill levels.
● Pre-screening Clients: Where possible instructors should be trained to assess clients' physical conditions, limitations, and goals to ensure exercises are safe, personalized, and appropriate, fostering injury prevention, progress, and client trust.
Incorporating soft skills training is also crucial. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2020 highlights that skills like active learning, resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility are becoming increasingly important across industries, including health and fitness.
4. Let’s Design the Most Effective Tutorial Structure
In my experience, weekend modules allow for gradual learning but can extend the training period. Intensive formats, where students focus entirely on training over a shorter time frame, are more demanding but often result in deeper retention of the method. However, this requires students to be physically and mentally prepared for the intensity. Be mindful that online programs, while convenient, can leave students feeling unsupported due to the lack of hands-on guidance and real-time feedback.
5. Now Ask Yourself: Have you got the necessary skills to Teach?
Reflect on your professional journey before launching your training program:
● Experience: How long have you been teaching Pilates? What qualifications do you have? Which mentors have influenced your teaching style?
● Competency: Assess your skills and determine if you’re ready to mentor others.
Have you had experience mentoring others to date? Could you start mentoring others and gain their feedback on your style before developing a training program?
My journey includes training under a number of renowned mentors but the biggest influence was from the late Bob Liekens and Pilates elder Lolita San Miguel, equipping me with the expertise needed to develop and lead a successful teacher training program.
6. Let’s Identify Your Motivation for Offering Teacher Training
It’s also important to consider why you want to offer teacher training. Is it to elevate the standard of Pilates teaching in your community, or to share your unique approach with the next generation of instructors? Your motivation will shape the tone and structure of your program.
7. Are You Physically Equipped to Host the Training?
Consider the logistics of your program:
● Location: Will you host the training in your own studio, or rent space? Factor in studio usage fees and revenue-sharing if renting.
● Fees: Calculate fees based on the program’s duration, overhead, and market rates. In Brisbane, for example, training costs range from AUD 5,000 to AUD 10,000 depending on comprehensiveness.
8. How Do We Ensure Quality and Legitimacy?
Accreditation is also important to consider because it adds credibility and ensures that your training program meets high standards. In the USA, the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP), formerly linked with the PMA, is accredited by the NCCA and sets rigorous national standards. In Australia, the Pilates Alliance Australasia (PAA) accredits programs that provide qualifications recognized under the Australian Qualifications Framework, with courses listed on the National Register for Vocational Education and Training. In the UK, it’s the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA) and Europe has the European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) to set a standard for Pilates professionals, which broadly fall under the fitness industry. Being affiliated with these accrediting bodies can provide valuable assurance to prospective students.
9. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Before launching your program, consult a business attorney to ensure everything is legally sound. Protect yourself from potential issues related to intellectual property and educational materials.
Ultimately, creating a successful Pilates teacher training program requires more than technical knowledge. It involves a deep commitment to the Pilates method, a strong understanding of anatomy and teaching principles, and the ability to mentor others.
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Anita Horry is a classical Pilates teacher with over 20 years of experience, known for adapting Pilates to meet a wide range of client needs—from paraplegics to Olympic athletes. As the creator of her own Pilates certification program and a business coach for Pilates professionals, she combines expertise in the classical method with a nuanced understanding of business strategy. With a background in accountancy and specializations in osteo therapy, Anita brings a holistic approach to both teaching and running a successful Pilates studio.
If you are interested in developing your own Teacher Training program Anita’s blueprint can help you shape your own program. Contact Anita here.
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