How do I become a Pilates Instructor?

How do I become a Pilates Instructor?

The first step in becoming a Pilates instructor is to do a few classes/sessions in different studios in your local area.

The reason for trying more than one studio is to see how other instructors teach, to see how classes are run, and to look at which style of Pilates you enjoy.

There are many ‘styles’ of Pilates out there- from very Traditional / Classical approaches (exercises just like the founder, J. Pilates developed), Clinical Pilates (a term often used to describe looking more closely at the client’s form and physical conditions), Mat Pilates (where no large equipment is used- just mats and some smaller pieces of gear like balls or perhaps foam rollers/magic circles, etc.), Group Reformer (where the entire class does the same Reformer repertoire together- usually led by an instructor who may not be watching each person individually) and a whole new array of ‘hybrid’ styles that fuse other modalities (like Yoga or Ballet or Barre) with Pilates.

Once you have tried a few different ‘styles’ of Pilates, you will probably start to see that not all instructors or studios work in the same way.   We suggest that you ask the instructor(s) where they learned and how their training experience was for them.  Don’t be shy, most instructors will be happy to share their journey and stories!

The next step is to consider the accreditation of the Pilates Instructor Training.  Is the Pilates Instructor Training recognised by the Australian Government?   Does the training enable graduates to join a Professional Association?  Will graduates be able to get Insurance or to practice once they complete their training?   These are important considerations when deciding on the right course for you.

From there, we recommend contacting the Pilates Instructor Training organisation and asking a few important questions:

Can you give me a few examples of past graduates and what they are doing with their qualification?

Can you show me the Course Outline or Overview  and tell me what sorts of topics will be covered?

Who will be my trainer and what is their level of experience?

By which other organisations is the training recognised?

So those are some starting points and we hope that choosing the right Pilates Instructor Training is a good experience for you.  If you have any questions feel free to contact us for more information!