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The 10 Steps in Choosing a Pilates Certification Program

The 10 Steps in Choosing a Pilates Certification Program

Taking these 10 decision-making steps will give you the comfort level needed in choosing the best Pilates Teacher Training Certification that’s right for you.

A critical part is meeting in the studio with the Program Director and having all of your questions answered about the education you will be receiving. Here’s what you need to ask and find out in that meeting:

  1. Ask about the teaching methods and the type of success you can expect from the Program. Also ask if there will be other teacher trainers that will be assisting and how much experience they have as teacher trainers.

  2. Review the Mat and Equipment Program Manual curriculum in detail with the Teacher Training Program Director. This is the education you will be receiving so it’s critical that you know what you will be learning. (Keep in mind every Teacher Training Program offers a different kind of education).

  3. Ask about the number of live in-studio course lecture hours that you will be taught and what those hours include. For example, how many hours are specifically devoted to anatomy? How to modify exercises? Teachingclients with medical conditions?

  4. Ask if you will be supervised when you are doing your practice teaching hours. This should be included in your tuition. Supervised teaching is a very important part of becoming an excellent teacher.

  5. Confirm all tuition costs included to complete the Program. Know exactly what the tuition includes and ask if there are any “pre-requisite” costs. For example, does the studio require you to purchase private sessions or classes as part of the tuition for the Certification Program.

  6. Confirm that the studio will be available for you to do all of your practice time needed to complete your Certification requirements. Also ask when the studio is open for you to do practice time. Make sure that they do not charge for this time. It should be included in your tuition.

  7. Confirm the amount of time you will have to complete the Program. You should be given at least one year to complete both the Mat and Equipment Teacher Training Program. 

  8. Ask about the type of tests you will need to pass, (written, practical), and what kind of assessments you will be given during the training.

  9. Ask about their cancellation and refund policy. 

  10. Ask to speak with both current students and graduates of the Program.

What's Really Important About A Pilates Certification

What's Really Important About A Pilates Certification

 If you've decided to become a Certified Pilates Teacher, you're probably spinning your head over how many studios are out there that offer a "Pilates Certification Program. The truth is that since Pilates is not a regulated industry, Pilates Teacher Programs that offer a Certification are very, very different. 

Most importantly, your Pilates Certification, (the certificate you receive after completing the Teacher Training Program), is only as good as the education you receive during the Program.

 Further, any Pilates Teacher Certification that you are working towards must include both written and practical testing. The Certification offered by the  Pilates Method Alliance, (PMA), after a student completes a studio Teacher Training Program, is deemed by many industry experts as incomplete because it lacks a practical test. Further, the same Pilates Method Alliance, (PMA) written test is given to every student regardless of which Pilates Teacher Training Program they have taken. This is inconsistent because every Pilates studio offers very different Teacher Training Programs. While there is a "study guide" to review before taking the PMA’s written test, industry experts recommend that both a written and practical tests are needed to ensure a student has the skills required to safely teach the Pilates method of exercise.