Pilates trainer (certified)  (Sursee):
1 Provider - 1 Training locations

In a Pilates trainer course you usually learn the following:

• History of Pilates
• Pilates methods
• Pilates principles and concepts
• (Basic) exercises on various devices (set-up and modification options)
• Safety rules for handling the devices
• Various exercises without equipment
• Music theory
• Posture and movement analysis
• Motion correction
• Designing and conducting Pilates lessons (methodology and didactics)
• Dealing with clients with special needs

The Pilates trainer training costs depend on the duration and scope of the training. Shorter courses cost between 800 and 1,000 francs. Longer courses can cost between 4,500 and 5,000 francs. Clarify the exact costs and the services included before registering.

Each educational institution sets its own admission restrictions for the individual courses. However, the following requirements often apply to beginner courses:

• Age of majority
• Good state of health and fitness
• For advanced courses: completed basic course
• Partly: good knowledge of German
• First aid course

Please enquire directly with the individual schools that offer Pilates training or Pilates instructor training about the specific admission requirements for the respective training, e.g. Pilates instructor.

This would be a possible Pilates continuing education, further training specialization:

• Pilates Flow
• Pilates and spiral dynamics
• Pilates with small equipment
• Pilates and Franklin Method
• Pilates Rehab (dealing with physical pain)
• Pelvic floor training or workshop

The following topics are taught in a basic Pilates course:

• Anatomy and psychology of the body
• Mobilization and stabilization of the muscles
• Work on machines and accessories
• Posture analysis
• Pilates theory
• Structure of a course
• Teaching & adaptations

The results of a survey conducted by the education platform Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch reveal the following findings regarding the reasons for inquiries about Pilates training:

• 61% ask schools for a Pilates instructor course because of an online assessment
• 24% enquire about schools that were recommended to them
• 16 % already knew the schools in question before the inquiry

Online reviews therefore play a decisive role when choosing a Pilates training school. You can therefore read the reviews of schools that offer such continuing education, further training on the education platform Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.

Free text answers for the reasons for school requests are:

• "Found it on the internet"
• "Because I live nearby"
• "Curiosity during research"
• "I was looking for training centers"
• "Found on the education, continuing education, further training page"
• "No reason"
• "By chance"
• "Prospectus"
• "Sympathetic"
• "Was suggested to me"
• "Just like that"

Pilates instructors or Pilates trainers work in fitness centers or exercise studios and teach the Pilates method. This is a holistic body workout that primarily targets the deeper, smaller and usually weaker muscle groups that are responsible for correct and healthy posture.

After training as a Pilates instructor, you will be able to carry out the following activities:

• Designing lessons.
• Participants train with the help of the so-called "powerhouse", i.e. through the targeted use of the pelvic floor muscles located in the center of the body and the deep core muscles.
• Teach and explain calm, flowing and very concentrated movements with the help of these muscles.
• To teach the coordination of body and mind as well as deep breathing.

The Pilates teacher training course usually lasts between approx. 4 days and 2 years (depending on the provider and course offered). The training has a modular structure and is designed to be part-time. Ask the provider of your choice about the exact duration of training.

With Pilates training, you can teach courses for groups, teach individuals and supervise the trainees. You will work with new clients to develop training goals and create individual training plans. In introductory courses, they explain the exercises, demonstrate them and guide customers. They develop course offers for groups and run the courses. In addition to the courses and training sessions, they ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the rooms and on the equipment. They carry out administrative work, hold personal discussions with exercisers and sell passes and courses.

The Pilates Reformer training is a special way of teaching Pilates. Away from Pilates for everyone on the mat, towards training with sports equipment. In order to be able to make optimum use of the many possibilities of the Pilates Reformer as a trainer or user, substantial training is required.

Each school teaches in a different way exactly the areas that it considers relevant for Pilates Personal Training. It is therefore important that you obtain comprehensive training material describing exactly how the Pilates instructor course is structured before registering for the course. You should always check whether the school makes a distinction between mat and equipment. Some institutions offer these Pilates courses separately, others have combined them into one course and still others do not offer Pilates on equipment at all. Some schools also adhere strictly to the methods of Joseph Pilates, while others offer their own, slightly modified form. Pilates instructor training courses also often differ in terms of duration and general conditions, such as the number of participants and admission criteria, as well as the course materials and examinations. Please always enquire about this directly with the individual schools.

BGB Switzerland has developed the BGB Pilates trainer association certificate for people who mainly teach Pilates on the mat and want to prove their quality with a corresponding professional title. In Switzerland, there are associations such as BGB or Qualticert that support trainers in granting their clients health insurance discounts. You can register with these companies after completing the PILATESwiss programs. Please note that these companies are independent of PILATESwiss and may change their guidelines.

According to an education survey conducted by Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch, 93% of people are interested in continuing education, further training to become a Pilates instructor to see if this is the right thing for them personally. Alternative answers for the Pilates instructor training course that were asked were a recommendation of the course - which was 4% - or a frequent mention in job searches in job advertisements - which was also 3%. This clear result is, of course, due to the fact that this is a typical continuing education, further training out of interest in the sport of Pilates.

Free text answers explain the interest in the Pilates trainer training as follows:

• "I would like to continue my education, further training and get an official certificate to expand my job opportunities.".
• "Personal interest"
• "I want to continue my education and enjoy it"
• "I have already attended a basic course in Germany and would like to get the certificate for Switzerland so that I can offer Pilates in a group"
• "Hobby"
• "Have a non-certified Pilates training and would like to have a certificate"
• "Sport is my passion and I've been doing Pilates for a while now"
• "As a supplement to yoga"
• "I've been doing Pilates myself for years"
• "Because I love it"
• "Because I'm super interested"
• "I would like to give courses"
• "Would like to try something new and use it on myself first"
• "I've been practicing Pilates for a long time and it fascinates me a lot. I would like to learn more about it and maybe one day be able to give lessons myself."
• "It's my passion"

You should have the following personal requirements to become a Pilates trainer:

• Interest in health and sport
• Own fitness and training experience
• Enjoy accompanying people and passing on knowledge