Pilates Teacher
Training Program
CHALLENGE, MOTIVATE, ENCOURAGE, INSPIRE
Are you passionate about Pilates and ready to transform that passion into a rewarding career?
Do you aspire to elevate your expertise and deepen your Pilates practice?
Are you kind, and want to help people improve their quality of life with Pilates movement?
Joining the esteemed ranks of Pilates Academy International Instructors at Gather Pilates could be the defining step in your journey!
With the Pilates industry on a rapid growth trajectory, the demand for skilled instructors continues to grow. Take this opportunity to embark on a fulfilling career as a Pilates instructor where your love for Pilates will translate into joy in your work. Enjoy the flexibility of crafting your own schedule while pursuing a meaningful career path.
Ready to take the first step towards becoming a certified Pilates instructor? Schedule a consultation Master Trainer and program director Jean Keese to learn more about the enriching experience that awaits you in our teacher training program.
What Sets Our Program Apart:
HOW you Teach is just as important as WHAT you Teach!
Gather Pilates is a host studio for Pilates Academy International, a leading provider of excellent Pilates education worldwide. We believe that how you teach is just as important as what you teach. This program not only teaches you the Pilates Method, it prepares you to excel as an instructor.
We are dedicated to empowering passionate individuals with the knowledge and teaching skills necessary to excel as highly sought-after Pilates instructors.
A great Pilates instructor must have four essential skills:
1. Solid understanding of anatomy, biomechanics and postural issues
2. Strong command of the Pilates exercise repertoire
3. Ability to see the need for modifications and adjust accordingly
4. Ability to inspire and motivate clients to reach their fitness goals
Without all of the above skills, Pilates instructors cannot provide their clients with the best instruction they could receive and thus prevent the client from reaping all the benefits Pilates has to offer. Our program not only teaches students to analyze and assess a variety of conditions quickly-from the simple to the complex-but also instills students with a wide range of modifications for traditional Pilates exercises. Rather than fitting the person to the exercise, we fit the exercise to person. Modifications preserve the intended goal of the exercises, making them accessible to all ages, body types and fitness levels.
As clients embark on their journey to discover healthier movement patterns and find more freedom in their bodies, our students are prepared to help them meet their unique fitness goals.
Each course has its own criteria, all of which can be found under Course Requirements.
In summary, to become a fully trained Pilates instructor, over 200 classroom hours are required in addition to personal review, practice teaching and observation hours.
Information on all of our courses can be found on the Course Descriptions.
UPCOMING TEACHER TRAINING DATES
STAY TUNED! Our program will launch in January of 2025. If you are interested, please reach out to Gather Pilates PAI program director Jean Keese for an interview and application.
Program Overview
As a host for the Pilates Academy International program, Gather Pilates offers a full range of Pilates instructor training programs. Compared to the top leaders in the Pilates industry we pride ourselves in offering a flexible schedule and personalized attention giving you full focus on each individual Mat, Reformer or any other Apparatus courses to insure confidence as you pursue your passion.
PAI Course Descriptions
Anatomy, Biomechanics and Posture Review (ABP) – 15 hours
This course reviews the structures (bones, muscles, joints, etc.) that form the support of the human body. An emphasis will be placed on "ideal" posture and "ideal" biomechanics of each joint while helping students learn how to detect abnormalities both statically and dynamically. Open to all personal trainers, this course is invaluable in helping you provide lasting results for your clients and increase your marketability. This course is CEC Approved. CEC's: (ACE) 1.2
All Populations Mat I (APM I) – 35 hours
What makes great buildings? Great foundations! This course teaches the first three tiers of the Pilates Mat repertoire and how to modify exercises for all age groups and fitness levels. Emphasis is placed on maintaining variety and providing small challenges while safely progressing a client in order to avoid monotony. Students leave the course confident and capable of creating safe and effective workouts for today’s diverse client. 68 Exercises. Prerequisite: ABP or equivalent This course is CEC Approved. CEC's: (ACE) 3.0
All Populations Mat II (APM II) – 5 hours
This course teaches the last two tiers of the full Pilates Mat repertoire, a necessity for students pursuing full Pilates certification with the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). Students learn how to assess when a client is ready to be challenged and then how to progress the client safely and effectively. Prerequisite: APM I
All Populations Reformer I (APR I) – 50 hours
This course teaches students the Reformer exercises needed to be ready to customize workouts for all ages and fitness levels. Covering the first three tiers, Fundamental through Intermediate, All Populations Reformer also teaches the "physics" of the reformer so that students understand both the way the reformer operates and the safety concerns. Emphasis is placed on the differences between Pilates machine work versus regular gym equipment so that instructors are prepared to meet the needs of clients from all backgrounds. Prerequisite: ABP
All Populations Reformer II (APR II) – 18 hours
This course teaches students how to teach clients the intermediate advanced and advanced exercises to complete the full repertoire on the Pilates Reformer. Care is taken to ensure each student understands the "benchmarks" a client should accomplish before an advanced exercise is attempted, which may include exercises on other equipment. All Populations Reformer II is a necessary component for students pursuing full Pilates certification through the Pilates Method Alliance. Prerequisite: APR I
All Populations Cadillac I (APC I) – 30 hours
This course teaches students the fundamental first three tiers (through Intermediate) of exercises conducted on the Cadillac/tower. The Cadillac is an excellent piece of equipment on which to focus on isolated joint movements to strengthen the joint properly and correct faulty movement habits. Emphasis will be placed on the benefits of Cadillac exercises as stepping stones to more challenging exercises. Prerequisite: ABP
All Populations Cadillac II (APC II)- 12 hours
Building on the previous course, this course teaches the final two tiers in the full Cadillac repertoire so you may challenge your clients safely and effectively. Some of these exercises challenge core strength significantly. Thus students will be taught the "benchmarks" for assessing when to progress a client. Prerequisite: APCadillac I
All Populations Barrels l (APB l) – 8 hours
This course must be preceded by the All Populations Mat course. Students will learn the first three tiers of exercises on the spine corrector and ladder barrel, and, more importantly, how to incorporate the barrel into a client's workout, and use it as a support or a challenge, depending on the exercise. Prerequisite: ABP
All Populations Barrels ll (APB ll) – 4 hours
This course builds on the material learned in the All Populations Barrels l course, adding the final two tiers of the full repertoire. Students will learn how to use these exercises to challenge both their core strength and their own body awareness and control. Prerequisite: APBarrels
All Populations Chair l (APCh l) – 15 hours
This course teaches the first three tiers of Chair exercises from Fundamental I through Intermediate. Students will be taught the many merits of the chair and how to integrate this often under-used piece of equipment into clients' workout routines. Prerequisite: ABP
All Populations Chair ll (APCh ll) – 12 hours
This course builds on the material learned in the All Populations Chair l course, adding the final two tiers of the full repertoire.Students will not only learn the new exercises, but also how to progress their clients carefully, delivering optimal results in strength and control. Prerequisite: APChair
Pilates Academy International Course Requirements
The Pilates Academy International upholds course requirements commensurate with other Pilates teachers training programs around the world.
In the chart, prospective students will find the hours required of them both in the classroom and out, as observation, personal practice and practice teaching are all necessary components of becoming a successful Pilates instructor.
PAI Hour Requirements
| Class | Practice Teaching | Observation | Personal Study | Total |
ABP | 15 | – | – | – | 15 |
APM I | 35 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 75 |
APR I | 50 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 105 |
APCad I | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 60 |
APCh I | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 45 |
APB I | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 20 |
APM II | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
APR II | 18 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 48 |
APCad II | 12 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
APCh II | 12 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 27 |
APB II | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
