The issue of how to become a pilates teacher is one under discussion in the exercise world and has changed over the years. Up until the early 2000s, the name Pilates carried a trademark, and a person couldn’t claim to be a pilates teacher unless they had fulfilled the terms of the company owning the trademark. People could teach classes, but if they claimed such classes were pilates, they were in violation of trademark without special training. That restriction is now removed, with good and bad effects — anyone can teach pilates, no matter what their level of experience and training.
What has replaced the use of the trademark is a number of agencies, schools, and individuals who can offer certification, and the most desirable certification for the person who would become a pilates teacher is nationally based or very recognizable by others in particular countries or regions. There are a number of national certifying agencies and people must research within their own country which of these are most credible.
There are also levels of certification depending on a teacher’s experience. Some of the pilates exercises are used with specific types of machines and people need special training to work with these. Alternately, a pilates teacher could be certified to teach only pilates mat courses. Since the workout can involve additional equipment like bars or rings, there may be special certification to become a pilates teacher who can use these, too.
As mentioned, a person with no experience or with just personal study can claim to be a pilates teacher. Usually, employers in gyms or at dance studios look for demonstrable experience and some form of certification. People might acquire these in different ways. There are many trained teachers that can teach people or mentor them to become a pilates teacher or get supervised hours experience. A number of schools also have pilates instruction classes, and training could be as little as a few days to several years depending on the program.
Perhaps beyond getting certification training is to become a pilates teacher who is good and competent at his or her work. This would involve having studied pilates thoroughly, being physically fit so as to demonstrate the different moves, and having an excellent teaching style that helps people perform to their best ability without the possibility of getting injured. The key to this is usually extensive study, training with reputable teachers, and willingness to learn. Continuing education by participating in workshops or classes, and reading about this exercise discipline could also be of use as well.
