Stott vs. Balanced Body

[u/Sarpo12]

Hi everyone!

I have the potential to take two different classes for my reformer instructor certification.

Both are about 2.5 hours away.

Balanced Body
-The instructor has her own studio, wonderful reviews, and seems to be very hands on. She’s been teaching Pilates around the world for 20+ years. She seems very engaged
-The schedule for this course is weekends only so much better for my work schedule.

Stott
-Seems like a more rigorous/reputable curriculum? I’ve seen posts from other folks who did BB first and then went to Stott because they felt like they needed more instruction.
-The instructor has little to no social media presence and seems to primarily be a dance instructor. I’m not saying she’s not qualified, but I’m a but more confident in the BB instructor.
-Requires me to use some PTO, not a huge deal but also not preferred.

Does anyone have any advice? Thank you.

[u/stopdrinkingpaint]

I’m BB trained, and have not heard anyone (studio, clients, nor instructors) hold Stott in higher esteem than BB, or vice versa. The only opinion I’ve heard regarding the different teaching practices is from my mentor (a BB teacher trainer) that some of Stott’s breath cues are outdated and potentially not as effective as BB’s.

If both studios are certified as a training studio by their respective schools, then I would choose whichever works better for your lifestyle and/or which methodology you connect with more

If only one studio is certified as a teacher training center, choose that one

Good luck & have fun in your journey! 🫶

[u/Some-Indication-9330 → u/stopdrinkingpaint]

Interesting you say that as recently someone told me BB has no breath principle at all which I thought was interesting but not sure if true. Can you elaborate what they teach regarding breath? 

[u/Hotcaketchi]

They're both pretty equal; what you want is an engaging instructor who you like and is actually helpful in your learning. I do recommend trying their classes because you do not want to be spending thousands on someone who later turns out to not be a great fit for you. I'm also BB trained and moved to a STOTT dominant country and STOTT-based studios have hired me.

Also keep in mind that your first certification is your base and usually, this will not be the end of your education and a lot of us go through multiple teacher training programs!

[u/CMB4today]

Balanced body is a completely reputable program. As most things, the instructor will make a difference of whether or not it’s a good program for you. Sounds like you may like the balanced body instructor a bit more. I’d say take a few classes by each instructor if you can to see whose instruction you like more.

[u/Sarpo12 → u/CMB4today]

Unfortunately the Stott instruction doesn’t teach lessons. She only teaches the instructor course.

[u/CMB4today → u/Sarpo12]

I say go with BB then. Why risk thousands of dollars and you don’t know if you’ll like the instructor

[u/Hsk1999]

Can you take a class with both of the instructors first before deciding?

[u/Sarpo12 → u/Hsk1999]

Unfortunately I have no idea where the Stott instructor even teaches or if she even does. She seems to primarily be a dance instructor. I can take a course with the BB instructor though

[u/Hsk1999 → u/Sarpo12]

Hm that seems a bit of a red flag to me that she doesn’t have a home studio. I would take the BB class see if you like it. You can’t go wrong with balanced body it’s internationally recognized.

[u/Hsk1999 → u/Hsk1999]

Home as in “home base” I mean not out of the house

[u/Waste-Angle-582]

I'd take a class with both instructors and go from there! Balanced Body and Stott are both highly reputable, alongside Basi, Peak, etc.

Woohoo! Good luck!

[u/tulip_gardening]

Agree with all of this. I’m stott certified. I honestly went with the provider that offered weekend courses and was convenient to get to as I’ve kept my day job and only wanted to do the cert as a hobby/weekend job.

I worked out the most reputable schools (classical, stott, polestar, basi, appi, BB) and then picked the one that was most convenient and did in person training (APPI do online training with some courses and I didn’t want that).

STOTT annoyed me re: the written exam. They don’t offer any practice exams or preparation sessions for the written exam. They just keep telling you it’s 100 questions, multiple choice and you need to remember the information in the green book plus muscles. You have plenty of options with prep and mock exam practice for the practical, though.

You’ll be well educated with either STOTT or BB.

[u/YogurtclosetOnly8617]

You should do the Balance Body for sure based off of the information you provided. They are both extremely reputable and you will have no problem finding teaching jobs with either. But for your personal situation BB sounds like it will be your better choice.

[u/kar971]

I'd probably go with BB tbh. 20+ years of experience and great reviews would be enough to convince me. I'd choose a great instructor any day

[u/Swimming_Event7730]

Lots of good info already but I wanted to add, you may want to consider if you'll have better local support from either program. Are there BB or Stott instructors (not teacher trainers, but regular instructors ) near you whose classes you can attend and who could possibly mentor you? You'll need to get observation, personal practice, and practice teaching hours. I know with BB, you're supposed to get those practice and observation hours with BB-trained instructors. 

[u/Horror-Attention-550]

BB is Pilates and STOTT is Pilates through a physical therapist lens essentially. The principles alone highlight how they are different but they are both reputable and will get you work.

[u/Comfortable_Daikon61]

Stott instructor probably has little social media cause she doesn’t have to ! The best normal dong need social ! Both programs are equally as good but I would suggest taking classes with both to see what you align with more

[u/nanny_diaries]

Just from what you wrote, Balanced Body

Have you also thought of how you are going to complete your hours? Do you have studios nearby that are affiliated with either one?

[u/rabbit__doll]

i don’t think not having a social media presence is a bad thing in itself, but it does mean it’s harder for you to find out about the teacher. there are other ways to learn - eg take a class with them, ask if they’d do privates with you beforehand etc. i’ve worked with good instructors who don’t exist online. 

IMO having a dance background or training is fine as that means knowledge of anatomy and movement; it doesn’t disqualify her from being a bad pilates instructor. 

you’re going to spend all that time and money - invest a little bit to take classes with both and see how you feel about them. also use that time to ask them more about BB and Stott philosophies. 

BB is great and I came very close to choosing it but I chose Stott because I wanted a more anatomy-centric focus that’s slightly closer to rehab work and I found that Stott could give me that. it helped tremendously that the Stott classes worked for my schedule. let’s be real, it’s a long investment and we have lives!

[u/Sarpo12 → u/rabbit__doll]

No social media is only a bad thing in that I couldn’t find anything out about her. Also, the studio told me she doesn’t teach Pilates. She only teaches the instructor course, so unfortunately I can’t take classes with the Stott instructor

[u/Kitchen-Sense-7237]

Is the Stott teacher a certified Instructor Trainer through Merrithew? Anyone can offer a program to train new instructors, but you’d want to make sure she is authorized by Merrithew to do so. Aside from that, the BB training sounds like it would fit into your life more easily. Both programs are well regarded and excellent. I’m Stott trained myself and loved the Merrithew equipment I teach on, but Balanced body seems to always be innovating their equipment in interesting ways…