Road to Certification

How long does it take to become a Pilates instructor?

Three to four months from booking to your first paid class is typical. Here is exactly what fills that time, and why it is the reason studios hire our graduates.

How long does it take to become a Pilates instructor?

At The Pilates Programme, Altrincham, becoming a Pilates instructor takes three to four months: a few weeks of online pre-course study, a four or five-day in-person intensive, 80 supported practice hours over about eight weeks, and three exams. The hours can flex around a job and family, so some students take longer.

Timeline

From booking to your first paid class

  1. Day 0

    You book

    Welcome email, online platform access and the Human Movement course to complete before your in-person days.

  2. Weeks 1 to 4

    Pre-course study

    Work through the Human Movement course and pre-reading at your own pace, around work.

  3. Intensive

    4 or 5 in-person days

    Repertoire, teaching skills and workshops in a small cohort at the Altrincham centre.

  4. Weeks 5 to 12

    80 practice hours

    Observation, personal study and practice teaching with a week-by-week plan and your trainers on hand.

  5. Weeks 12 to 14

    Three exams

    Two online multiple choice exams and a 45-minute practical over Zoom. All included.

  6. Weeks 14 to 16

    Your first paid class

    Cover at a local studio, apply through the jobs board, or launch your own class.

The hours

Why are there 80 practice hours?

Because knowing the exercises is not the same as teaching them. Studios hire teachers who have watched, studied and taught real bodies before their first paid class.

  • 30 observation
  • 25 personal study
  • 25 practice teaching
  • = 80 hours

Are the hours hard to organise?

No, if you have a plan. Ten hours a week for eight weeks covers it: two evenings and a Saturday morning. Observation can be at any studio or through the video library. Practice teaching can be friends, family or fellow students. If you need a room and equipment, hire the centre.

  • Studio hire. At the Altrincham centre. Current rate on the pricing page.
  • Equipment hire. £5 per hour.
  • Online observation. Through the video library and the app (£10 a month).

Week by week

What does an 8-week hours plan look like?

A realistic plan that adds up to 80 hours. Move things around to suit your week.

WeekPlan
Week 1Observe 5 hours. Study 3 hours. Revisit the manual.
Week 2Observe 5 hours. Study 3 hours. Teach 1 hour to a friend.
Week 3Observe 4 hours. Study 3 hours. Teach 2 hours.
Week 4Observe 4 hours. Study 3 hours. Teach 3 hours. Sit the Human Movement exam.
Week 5Observe 4 hours. Study 3 hours. Teach 3 hours.
Week 6Observe 3 hours. Study 3 hours. Teach 4 hours. Sit the theory exam.
Week 7Observe 3 hours. Study 4 hours. Teach 4 full classes.
Week 8Observe 2 hours. Study 3 hours. Teach 5 hours. Book your practical.

Exams

What are the exams?

Three, all included in the course fee, and you are prepared for each during training.

  1. Human Movement exam

    50 multiple choice questions, online.

  2. Theory exam

    30 multiple choice questions, online.

  3. Practical exam

    Teach a 45-minute class plus 5 random exercises, via Zoom.

Support

What support do you get?

  • Your trainers

    Georgie, Sarah and the team are available throughout your hours by email and at the centre.

  • The online platform

    Manual, video library and revision material, which you keep after you qualify.

  • The centre

    Studio and equipment hire for practice teaching, and classes to observe.

  • Your cohort

    Small groups mean you practise teaching on each other and keep each other going.

FAQ

Questions about hours and exams

How long does it take to become a Pilates instructor?

From booking to your first paid class is typically three to four months: pre-course online study, four or five in-person days, then around eight weeks of practice hours and exams. Some students take longer around work and family, and that is fine.

How many practice hours do I need, and how do I organise them?

After the in-person intensive you complete 30 observation hours, 25 personal study hours and 25 practice teaching hours. Most students finish in eight to twelve weeks alongside a job. You can observe classes locally or online, hire studio space and equipment at the centre, and practise teaching friends, family or a local studio. We give you a plan and support you through it.

What are the exams like?

There are three: a 50-question multiple choice Human Movement exam, a 30-question multiple choice theory exam, and a practical exam where you teach a 45-minute class plus five random exercises over Zoom. All are included in the course fee, and you are prepared for each one during training.

Can I hire the studio for practice hours?

Yes. Students can hire studio space and equipment at the centre for practice teaching and observation. Current rates are on the pricing and training centre pages.

Do I need access to a Reformer to train?

For the in-person days, no. For your practice hours you will need regular time on a Reformer, either at a local studio, through equipment hire at our centre, or at home. If you have no access at all, Mat may be the better first course.

Ready?

Choose your first course

Mat, Reformer or Barre. Four or five in-person days, 80 supported hours, exams included.

See the coursesSee dates