What Should a Pilates Certification Program Give You?

You have become totally enraptured with your Pilates training and you want to undergo Pilates certification, so you can become a Pilates instructor. Or maybe you are a personal trainer who is looking to expand your offerings to your clients. Maybe you are a physical therapist who values the benefits of Pilates training for your patients and wants to include Pilates in your clinic’s stable of offerings. Whatever the reason, it is important to find a Pilates certification program that will meet your needs as well as provide you with the proper training and associated services, that you will need to become a successful Pilates instructor.

Pilates Certification with Pilates Method Alliance

The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) was formed in 2001 to promote the teaching of Pilates as a career and to act as the professional association and certifying agency for professional Pilates instructors. Credentialing by the PMA serves both the Pilates community and the public by certifying that a Pilates instructor meets entry-level standards for competency and safety. A great Pilates certification program will have the full backing of PMA. Using the criteria of the Pilates Method Alliance, you will get a clear and quick reference of schools of thought, instructors, and studios to check out.

First, Some Questions to Consider

As you search for a Pilates certification studio, here are some initial questions that a future Pilates instructor-student should be asking:

  • Why do you want to get your Pilates certification?
  • What are your future income and career expectations?
  • Are the costs of becoming a Pilates instructor affordable?
  • Are you familiar with both the time and financial commitments required to become an instructor?
  • Are you currently an intermediate level or higher caliber of Pilates student?
  • Have you researched the various schools of Pilates Method training?

Finding a Pilates Training Studio

The PMA recommends that a potential student visit and experience the offerings of a variety of Pilates studios from different lineages of Pilates before settling on a school. Pilates studios range from large to small boutique studios, each with its own personality and style. Inquire about both the length of time for the training program and the associated costs. Be sure to pick and read any promotional materials and, if possible, take a glance at the training manual. Come check out Sheppard Method Pilates while you are looking for the right fit, and we give you a nice overview of our beliefs and methodology.