What You Need to Know about Pilates Certification

If you have been taking Pilates classes and find that you really enjoy it, it might have crossed your mind to start teaching. Teaching Pilates is a rewarding and fun career but one that takes time to establish. Pilates certification is one of the ways to become an instructor but it is not the only one.

Pilates certification is a new concept, certainly Pilates was around longer than the idea of certified instructors. There are some respected instructors out there who do not have certification of any type yet may be very talented and excellent at teaching.

Uncertified Instructors

Instructors who have been around since the movement started may not have certification but they have more experience than some who do. They may also be very talented and respected in their field. If you have found an instructor like this then you might be able to apprentice for them.

The advantage is that you will be learning from someone who has years of experience and has a good reputation. The experience might be better than some of the courses out there. The downside is that if you try to work for other studios and gyms you might be required to prove that you have Pilates certification of some kind.

Fusion Classes

There are now many fusion classes such as Pilates with exercise bands, yoga-Pilates, and Pilates on an exercise ball. These classes are great to add to your resume but there are not starting point. If you want Pilates certification then the best place to start is with mat instructor training. Once you have obtained basic Pilates certification then you can think about training for these cross-over classes.

Standardized Testing

At the moment there is no standardized exam when it comes to Pilates certification. There is however a possibility that this might change soon. The Pilates Method Alliance is working to standardized training across the country. It has also created a national exam that may one day be implemented.

If you are currently studying Pilates and wish to obtain Pilates certification then you should keep an eye on developments related to Pilates certification. It’s important that you stay up to date and find the certification that suits you and your needs the best.

Obtaining comprehensive Pilates training may require you to spend up to 900 studio hours as an assistant teacher over a one year period. It can also be expensive depending on what board you decide to obtain certification from. Most of the time though you get what you pay for so look carefully before signing up for a course.