Your Path to Becoming a Pilates Teacher Starts Here!
Learning to teach pilates can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, as well as prepare you for a full time career, or a part time side hustle.
The Pilates industry is broken mainly into two groups: classical and contemporary. Both are based on the method that Joseph Pilates developed, but they tend to use slightly different equipment and focus on different ways of strengthening the body. There is a big difference though, and that is if you learn Classical Pilates you’ll be able to teach Contemporary, but if you learn Contemporary, you won’t be able to teach Classical. We suggest you take privates with both and decide which fit is best for you!
The Steps to Becoming a Teacher
Step 1
Take Pilates at our studio! We are a classical studio and our emphasis is on private training using all the apparatus. The pilates method is a comprehensive system that utilizes all the equipment and it’s the best way to learn. Classes are good too, but they’ll just be reformer or tower. These early privates and classes taken, can count towards your total needed to complete the training program.
Step 2
Talk to us about your questions, and ask us about scheduling your seminars. Also keep taking Pilates! Once you inquire about the program and the seminars have not begun, Pilates classes or privates taken at our studio, and a few select other classical studios, will count towards your total hours.
Like most classical training programs, we require 600+ hours of training spread across seminars, workshops, privates, classes, in-studio observation, virtual video observation, and in-studio practice teaching! A good rule of thumb is if you can commit 20 hours a week, you can complete the beginner and intermediate parts of the program in about 7 months.
Step 3
Start your program! Upon signing up for the seminars, you will be sent videos to start your training and a companion manual for the videos. Keep up your weekly study goals, and within 3-6 months, you’ll be ready to complete your Intermediate test-out and start teaching real world clients in our Studio. Once you start teaching, you will then work with us to complete your advanced workshops, sessions, and observations after which you can take your Advanced Test Out and be fully certified.
Uptown Pilates Teacher Training Outline
Comprehensive 600+ Hour Classical Program
PART ONE
SEMINARS
Beginner Seminar - 16 hours
Intermediate Seminar I - 16 hours
Intermediate Seminar II - 16 hours
Special Cases + Session Building Seminar - 4 hours
Advanced Seminar - 24 hours
PRIVATES + CLASSES
72 total privates and classes with a minimum 30 privates. of those 30 privates, 20 must be with Master Instructor.
*You can take more privates than 30 and those count towards the total, but you can’t use classes to count towards privates.
*More privates might be required depending on experience and performance at practice teaching and beginner test out.
PRACTICE TAECHING
Minimum 45 hours of practice teaching someone you bring in.
*A portion of this can be done at home or on other equipment and filmed. This is on a case by case basis.
OBSERVATION
110 hours of in-studio observation or watching approved videos.
*Can substitute observation for extra practice teaching hours or taking extra classes or privates.
BEGINNER TEST OUT: after accumulating 76 hours of seminars, 10 privates, 14 classes, 15 hours practice teaching, and 40 hours observation
INTERMEDIATE TEST OUT: after 300+ accumulated hours
Talented apprentices will be able to start teaching in our studio, while completing their advanced training over following 1 year. Certification is granted after the advanced test out.
PART TWO
REAL TEACHING
100+ hours of teaching real studio clients.
WORKSHOPS
15 hours of Workshops or Continuing Education
PRIVATES + CLASSES
100+ Privates and Classes
OBSERVATION
80+ hours of in-person + virtual observation.
ADVANCE TEST OUT: at 600+ Hour