The beautiful thing about being a personal trainer is that the more you’re opening yourself up to new classes, continued education, and new types of fitness, the more rounded you become. In a way, it’s pretty much your job to continue learning new type ways to relay fitness to your clients.
For a lot of trainers, that natural, next step is becoming a Pilates instructor. If you’re new to the Pilates world and are looking to learn more, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to break down Pilates for you with a few introductory ideas.
First things first, let's answer this—because it can be confusing—what exactly is Pilates all about? You probably know a thing or two already, but we’re covering the basics in this article—so, if you’re pretty familiar with the building blocks, feel free skip ahead!
Pilates is a type of exercise that combines low-impact flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance to help with core strength, muscle growth, and postural alignment, too! Pilates is actually really similar to yoga, but it focuses extra-hard on the body’s core (like obliques, abdomen, lower back, and more).
We know what you might be thinking—isn’t there just one type of Pilates? Actually, no! There are several forms of Pilates out there and learning how to teach and instruct each type is a unique experience in itself. In other words, one type of Pilates instruction isn’t the same as the other.
Interested in learning about a few different types? We thought so. We’ve included a few of the most popular Pilates instructor training classes in this blog to give you a better idea of what’s what.
1. Mat Instructor Training
If you’re at all familiar with Yoga, then this type of training should come pretty naturally to you.
What It Is:
Mat work is often called the absolute fundamental piece of the Pilates puzzle. This is the foundation, the core of which Pilates bases all of its movements on, the beginning to all of the principles of Pilates. This type of Pilates focuses on stretching and strengthening the body, particularly the core (muscles spanning from your shoulders to your hips). This type of Pilates is performed sans equipment (unlike other methods of Pilates) and utilizes body weight in order to strengthen muscles.
What Type of Clients You Can Expect:
For the most part, you can expect Pilates newbies to join your mat classes, although, because it’s such a fundamental part of the Pilates practice, you’ll find regulars will often attend, too! This section of client will be at the beginning stages of learning how to control their muscles during exercise, so, they’ll require lots of helpful instruction!
The Demand:
The good news about this type of class? The demand is always going to be there. Sure, you’re catering to mostly beginners, but even as they move on, this type of class will continually be something they come back to for a greater understanding of their base Pilates knowledge. Further, you can teach advanced mat classes as well if you’re interested in ensuring several types of clients will be demanding your services.
2. Reformer Instructor Training
Equipment and knowledge required.
What It Is:
Reformer Pilates is a class of the Pilates exercise that includes specialized equipment. The name of that equipment? You guessed it—a reformer. The reformer is a bed-like frame that has a flat platform which rolls back and forth. That flat platform (the carriage, as its called), is attached to the reformer by springs, which, provide different levels of resistance as the carriage is pulled or pushed on the frame. This equipment is safe to use, but definitely requires instruction and a watchful eye on your clients—especially if you’re dealing with beginners. This type of Pilates is used to promote strength, flexibility, length, and balance, too! This type of Pilates is celebrated for its versatility, which, makes it appealing for all kinds of people with all kinds of goals.
What Type of Clients You Can Expect:
This type of exercise draws in folks who, likely, have already gotten their feet wet in the Pilates world. Folks who are already well-versed in mat Pilates will certainly be interested in this class, as well as other types of athletes looking for complementary exercises (bicyclists, yogis, runners, etc.). You’ll also find that clients who are looking to keep fit while avoiding weight-bearing exercises are likely to seek out your class.
The Demand:
This type of exercise will likely be in more demand at a Pilates-specific studio. If you’re working at a more traditional gym with a weight-lifting focus, it’s unlikely that people will seek you out for a reformer class. That being said, it’s a great complementary workout, and it’s likely that folks who are already interested in Pilates will be interested in taking your course.
3. Comprehensive Instructor Training
Intense, involved, and well-rounded.
What It Is:
This type of Pilates training is all about going in-depth on every facet of Pilates. Trainers who are looking to be certified as comprehensive trainers will need to be fully acquainted with the entire range of Pilates apparatus, including things like Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Barrel Repertoires. Comprehensive Pilates covers everything from beginners Pilates to Advanced Pilates using every standard piece of Pilates equipment.
What Type of Clients You Can Expect:
This type of training will draw in all ranges of clients—from beginner to advanced. Because this teacher will be able to cover everything, it’s likely they’ll encounter clients at each end of the spectrum—those who have been doing Pilates for years and those who are giving it their first go.
The Demand:
This type of Pilates teacher will be most in-demand because they can cover everything—there’s no one section of Pilates they do not know how to teach. From beginners to advanced Pilates, this versatile teacher can do it all, which means they’ll be the most hireable.
