What is a Comprehensively Qualified Pilates Instructor?

With the huge rise in Pilates as a popular exercise and well-being choice in the past 20 years, there has also developed a range of different qualifications in instructors. This can be confusing for you the consumer, so we aim in this blog to outline what are different qualifications, and what does it mean to be Comprehensively qualified.

The Background

The history of Pilates began with Joseph Pilates, born in Germany in 1883. For the history of Pilates please click here, but in summary he ended up in the U.S. in 1926 and continued to develop his Pilates method, which importantly involved equipment. The primary apparatus he created were the Reformer, the Cadillac, the Wunda chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and of course the mat. Each piece of apparatus has its own set of exercises, and its own unique way of challenging or supporting you with your workout.

In our opinion, as a specialty Pilates studio, having and using all the equipment is important to really be able to feel and appreciate the amazing benefits, challenges and support Pilates can deliver to everyone.

Types of Pilates Teacher training courses

Comprehensive Qualified Pilates Instructor

Internationally, there are a few highly regarded Pilates teacher training centres who offer courses to turn people’s Pilates passion into a career. They are designed for the career changer, the professional mover or the rehabilitation specialist, to really become a Certified Pilates instructor. All levels of training include multiple weekends, hundreds of additional hours, an exam, and a diploma upon completion.

There are 3 primary types of courses;

1. Mat Qualified
2. Reformer Qualified
3. Comprehensively Qualified

For example, Mat qualification when completed through a reputable Pilates training centre often requires 3-4 weekends of courses, in addition to many hours of observation, self-practice and apprentice teaching followed by an exam. Reformer qualifications also require 3-4 weekends of courses, in addition to many hours of observation, self-practice and apprentice teaching. Both the mat and reformer qualifications take 6-12 months to complete.

The top level of qualification is to be Comprehensively qualified. This involves 7-8 weekends of intense training across all the different pieces of equipment (reformer, cadillac, spine corrector, ladder barrel, Wunda chair and mat), and hundreds of hours of observation, apprentice teaching and self-mastery. This course usually takes 12-24 months (depending if your life is Pilates or not) and covers how to work both in group and individually. If you are looking for an instructor who really knows Pilates, this is the qualification you are looking for. At Waves we only hire Comprehensively Certified Instructors from any of the reputable teacher training (Polestar Pilates, STOTT, Balanced Body, Classical Comprehensive’s etc.)

Important questions to ask

We are very fortunate at Waves that we have a large team of Comprehensively Qualified pilates instructors who know how to use not only mat and the reformer, but all the Pilates equipment to really get the most out of your Pilates journey. This also means they are covered by insurance, know how to set-up equipment correctly, and can deliver effective, fun and safe workouts for all.

So, what are some questions you could ask before joining a class?

1. What are you qualified in? Mat, reformer, or everything?
2. How long did your qualification take you and did you have an exam?
3. Did you have to complete hours of observation, self-mastery and apprentice teaching and how many?
4. Do you complete regular Continual Education Courses to stay accredited?

In Belgium there is a huge Pilates hype at the moment, which is in many ways fantastic that so many of you are keen to try out this fun and versatile mode of exercise. I have now been in the industry for 18 years, and have worked all over the world in many types of studios and fitness settings, and now fortunate enough to own my own. Pilates is about so much more than just exercise. It is a new way to experience your body, and your mind, and how these 2 elements interact to find alignment and harmony in yourself.

At Waves we believe this is really important, and hope that as the energy grows for Pilates, so does the understanding about what it takes to become a Comprehensively Qualified instructor, and more so what it takes to become an experienced one.

Thanks for reading if you got this far 🙂
Cheers,
Katina