Pilates Certification Programs- Different Types of Certifications
Pilates certification is somewhat of an enigma in the world of standardized certification programs. While there is not a lack of programs available for Pilates certification, there is a shortage of uniform grading systems that can dictate the worth of a teacher’s qualifications based upon time investment, first hand experience, and in-studio (apprentice) hours. There are a few different types, styles and teaching methods for Pilates that make the search for proper certification a little bit harder.
Understanding what style of teaching your Pilates instructor is certified in or what type of certification you may want to get, will help you make an educated decision on what type of Pilates class you want to be involved in. It is not only beneficial for those individuals seeking out reputable certification programs, it is also extremely valuable for those in search of a Pilates trainer that they feel they will be the most comfortable with. Learning from a instructor that is certified by a reputable program will allow for everyone involved to feel at ease and confident in a class or one-on-one environment.
The basic certification classes in Pilates are broken down into two categories. Mat Pilates Certification and Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Certification. However, there are quite a few other certification programs that fall outside of the basic Pilates parameter.
Mat Pilates Instructor Certification
The Mat Pilates Instructor Certification can come available to a previous student who has shown proficiency, or has shown a great deal of improvement or excellence in their mat classes. However, be aware that when the Pilates trademark suit happened, the ban was lifted off of using the Pilates name in any and all certification processes. This has made it increasingly easier to become certified in mat Pilates without prior experience. This is not recommended for a teacher or a student.
The cost for students that are interested in becoming certified in mat Pilates can range anywhere from $100-300. There are weekend long programs as well as day training.
Teachers: If you are feeling drawn to teach a basic mat Pilates class, you should require yourself to take more than a few classes before enrolling in the certification process. The best teacher is experience, so take advantage of that principle before you dive head first into training.
Students: Make sure that your teacher has had at least some mat experience, if not extensive. Even though learning can be done through books without functional experience, there is no possible way that a mat trainer can give you the proper attention or understanding you may need if they have never done the exercises themselves. That is a given.
Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Certification
Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Certification can take years to complete, but on average it usually takes a little over a year. This type of certification is among the most complex of all the certifications, because it incorporates all types of Pilates: beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses, as well as it is inclusive of all of the different types of apparatus now available in the modern day Pilates studio. This includes the Reformer, the Cadillac, Mat Pilates and how to use props in addition to these machines in a class environment.
The cost for Comprehensive Pilates instructor Certification begins at $3,000 dollars, but can be more than that depending on how many in studio hours you need to accrue to graduate and how much time you spend getting to know the deep layers of the Pilates philosophy as well as it’s physicality’s. Apprentice hours can be as much as 900 in some certification programs, this makes for a very well rounded, educated, and able teacher.
Teachers: This type of training will equip you for a long-term career in Pilates training. If you have a passion for the healing arts, and believe that Pilates is the answer to spinal disorder recovery, surgery recovery, and overall mind-body fitness, this may be the Pilates certification training for you. For those who eventually want to open their own studios, this certification will be the one that will get you there.
Students: This type of training almost guarantees you the proper, safe and efficient Pilates experience. If this type of certification is what is standard for the studio you end up taking classes or individual session at, then you will be able to move freely in between the ranks and types of classes, resting assured that you will be handles with the same amount of care and attention, not to mention knowledge that you are offered in the less advanced classes.
Specialized Pilates Instructor Certification Programs
Since Pilates has gained worldwide popularity, there have been students, teachers, and enthusiasts that have been able to repackage or redirect Pilates methodology into various different filters. From the initial Pilates design many teaching and stylistic approaches have been made available; some are equally relevant and have basis in necessity where others are not. For those teachers or students who are interested in focusing on a certain aspect of Pilates, there are options.
Some of these modifications have taken a component of Pilates and elevated it to concentrated focus. For example, an offshoot of Pilates’ teachings called Ron Fletcher Pilates, took Joseph Pilates’ teaching of deep breathing patterns and developed his own method called percussive breathing. This is just one example of alternative certification programs. Here are a few others:
The Power Pilates Certification Program
Power Pilates Certification Course for the Comprehensive Certification requires that you attend 4 weekend intensive courses, in addition to 16 mandatory weekly meetings while accumulating 600 apprentice hours. Those of which have to be completed at the Power Pilates Affiliate training Centers. This will cost about $4,000 dollars.
Power Pilates also offers certifications in Mat, a 12-day Intensive Program for the classical trained intermediate/advanced student which can fast track a certification. Conversely, they offer 3 levels of training as well, that break down the training into smaller sectionals of time so that a trainee can gradually become a Pilates trainer and still