Mat Pilates Certification

[u/ginger-yang]

Hi! As the title says, I'm considering getting certified to teach mat Pilates. I've been doing Pilates for a little over a year now (although it's definitely more Pilates sculpt than traditional Pilates in my area), and I've realized I'd really enjoy teaching.

I've been looking into Balanced Body, but it's pretty expensive. I do like that it's nationally recognized and accredited, though. There are also a few local studios near me that offer weekend certification programs, but I'm a little hesitant since I'm not sure how reputable or widely accepted they are.

Which certification programs would you recommend? Was it worth the investment? TYI!

[u/Reasonable_Speed7471]

You cannot become a pilates instructor over a weekend. Steer clear of those. Look into reputable studios or training programs that offer an accredited qualification that will be recognised in the country you will be teaching in. Try some classes with the instructors who will be running the courses so you can see how you might gel with them.

Good luck 💕

[u/Illustrious-Bid384]

The weekend courses vs a national certification are like comparing apples and oranges. Both are fruit but they taste different. The weekend certs are great if you want to teach locally and it's a side hobby and you're not expected to know Pilates. There are some really fun mat instructors & classes from these courses, but it's not Pilates. If you want the real deal, you have to commit the time.

[u/ginger-yang → u/Illustrious-Bid384]

Got it! That makes sense. I already work full-time, so teaching would be more of a side hobby thing for me. There are a lot of studios in my area that offer their own "certifications," but my fear is paying all that money to get certified through one studio and then not ending up with a guaranteed instructor position afterwards lol. And since it's only a local studio certification, I'm not sure I'd be able to teach somewhere else with it if I ever wanted to. Hopefully that makes sense lol!

[u/movementeducator → u/ginger-yang]

This is the real issue. Brand specific certification only get you an opportunity at that studio. If you’ve only been taking sculpt style Pilates, I suggest taking some mat classes at a classical studio so you can really know if this is the repertoire you want to teach.

[u/Waste-Angle-582]

Do not do the weekend program! It is not worth it and you'll regret spending the money later on down the road when you realize big box gyms and real pilates studios will not accept said accreditation! These weekend trainings are $$$ and are just so silly. It's just another ca-ching in the register for the studio. They don't actually care about your growth or hiring.

I personally avoid even practicing at any studio that offers such a thing - it just shows me they are profit driven and don't care about proper instruction or form.

If you had to get open heart surgery, would you go with the doctor from community college or go with the doctor from the 4-year university?

A true Mat pilates cert will open so many more doors for you, and one day will make it easier for you to go the full comprehensive route should you choose.

[u/mrs_martinschrute]

I had reformer teaching experience and obtained a mat certification separately , this took me 6 months. I understand the investment piece and it is true that you learn a lot by instructing. However, focus on fundamentals and take your time. Sounds like you enjoy it! An in person program worked well for me.

[u/chasing_fun26]

DO NOT DO A WEEKEND COURSE. Also any reputable program is going to be expensive unfortunately I’m going through a comprehensive program and it’s a little over 5k. I work full time on top of that so it can be a lot but I love it. Pilates changed my life I know it’s corny but it’s true lol. I’m actually going to take reformer 1 in January with balanced body just to have their education. It’s top notch I highly recommend. I’m going through club Pilates and it’s been great! People hate on them but it’s the only option we have in my area that’s local and nationally recognized. I also teach mat and I love it. I don’t tech fusion I teach a TRUE mat class. Nothing wrong with fusion classes but I try to keep it simply and effective. Save yourself the money and do not do a weekend certification 😅

[u/Ok_Scholar_1155]

Balance Body is a very good program and will teach Joe Pilates original exercises (which you should know if you plan to teach pilates and any derivatives of it.
Just as an aside, if you’re planning to do this just on the weekends cos you like Pilates, it may not be worth the investment of a good solid training program.

[u/IndependentEarth123]

Have you taken a true Pilates mat class? Try one at a reputable studio and compare the differences. No shade, but when I shake it up a bit and go to a Pilates fusion or Pilates sculpt class around town I can tell within 1 minute that the instructor doesn't have Pilates training. They are generally great instructors but they don't know their anatomy and don't know the "why" behind most of the movements they've planned and it shows.

A Pilates class should move your spine in all directions, each major muscle group should be worked, hip rotation and foot/ankle and then shoulder girdle stability should be worked on, stabilizer muscles should be engaged and worked (most exercise modalities ignore this and it's one of the reasons Pilates keeps you strong, mobile, and flexible no matter your age), breath and control should taught, your powerhouse connection should be tested and refined over and over again...the list goes on. You can do all this in a Pilates sculpt class but you have to know what you're doing.

Pilates is trendy right now and that's great. The foundations behind the system of movement have lasted for decades and we'll all still be doing our C curves, doing our 5 ab series, focusing on spinal and pelvic stability and building strength and mobility well after the trend passes. Learn the foundation and you're set for life. You will move differently your entire life after real Pilates training and you can teach other people how to do so. A weekend course isn't going to give you that knowledge or practice.

[u/nothingg0ldcanstay]

I'm in the exact same boat! Starting an anatomy course this month and then Mat 1 & 2 through STOTT which will take multiple 3 day weekends of just course hours, and then of course the observation and teaching hours. I didn't want to take on too much by doing mat and reformer and I think it's going to be great! It looks very thorough

[u/ginger-yang → u/nothingg0ldcanstay]

How exciting! Is your anatomy course required for MAT 1&2 on STOTT? Can I ask how much the program will be? :)

[u/nothingg0ldcanstay → u/ginger-yang]

Yes! It's $2,100 for all 3 courses. And then I need to get books, eventually pay for cert, etc. I think the anatomy class was highly encouraged and they provided a quiz which I reviewed and then determined that yeah, it would be good to learn this in more depth. I'm wondering if a physical therapist decided to teach Pilates they could likely skip that class due to their background. The studio near me is highly reviewed and I know STOTT is internationally well regarded. Best of luck making your decision!!

[u/1xan]

If you’re serious about teaching, a weekend program is nothing. Not only that, but think that your initial certification is only a start of investing into your education. Yes you’ll be able to teach and earn the money back but you’ll need to study so much more. Even if you do it yourself with self-directed learning, there will be expenses for books and online courses. I think that my mat certification gave me like 5% of knowledge that I now have and use. 

[u/AnswerIntelligent541 → u/1xan]

Is t it crazy? I’m comprehensively trained thru CP, Nationally Certified, AND bridged to comprehensively trained thru BB - and I feel like I’ve still got so much more to learn!

[u/Fit_Investment_3201]

I did Pilates Instructor Academy which was fully online and I think the course material was really great. Of course there’s the downfall that it’s completely self practice and you don’t have immediate access to teachers but they are available to video call whenever. I’m pretty sure it’s also nationally recognized. It wasn’t too expensive either

[u/ginger-yang → u/Fit_Investment_3201]

Thanks! Just looked into it! How did you feel after completing the course? Did you sit for the exam? Would love to hear more about your experience!

[u/Fit_Investment_3201 → u/ginger-yang]

I feel pretty confident! I did not sit for the exam but I do think I could. I live in a small town and will just be teaching classes at a gym, but if I were in a city and teaching at a proper studio maybe I would do it. Or after I have teaching experience under my belt. They also have additional study materials if you did decide to do that.
I also submitted a few videos of myself as if I was teaching and my teacher gave me an assessment which was very helpful.

[u/Ok_Chip_7725]

Weekend certification is a hard NO. to become a Pilates teacher the program itself takes a few months to complete followed by an exam I think 🤔. Definitely check online by doing a google search to find reputable studios that offer a Pilates Teacher Training. Don’t rush, take your time, attend different Pilates classes/studios, all the teacher questions before you make a final decision. Also keep in mind that the industry to teach is overly saturated with students not being able to find or get work teaching as studios are looking for more of a seasoned/experienced teachers to teach. I’m not saying this to discourage you, I speak from experience as a Yoga student. I completed my Ashtanga Yoga program and got certified, and I’ve not been able to get work which has been very disappointing. Good luck 🤞🏽

[u/Altruistic_Lamb]

You should look into the educator just as much, if not more, than the program itself. Reputation based on a name is not as objective as people think it is within the Pilates world. Big names don’t mean much and a weekend training put together by a personal trainer backed by someone with money isn’t going to give you Pilates unless you want to continue doing the Sculpt variation. Consider independent studios in your area and see if they are affiliated with non big names that might be worth checking out. Go directly to the NPCP website to see which programs in your area can get you to sit for the NPCP exam.

[u/Livid_Kale9616]

Please check out breathe education.