5 Top Tips for becoming a successful Pilates Instructor
1. Find the right Pilates training institute
Firstly, the most important step is to find the right Pilates training company that suits you. There’s several reputable institute’s to train with so I recommend trialling a few different types of
classes run by
instructors who have trained in the various methods.
This will provide you with great insight into the teaching and training styles. Try some group classes and 1:1 sessions, really research the training and talk to the instructors about their personal experiences and how they found their
Pilates instructor training.
If you’re a physiotherapist I strongly recommend training with a rehabilitation based organisation as this is specifically catered for working with the clinical population, this also ensures you’re working with like- minded individuals. Post-graduate training companies for example require you to hold an allied health degree (physiotherapy, osteopathy, exercise physiology, chiropractic, etc.), this means that anatomy and physiology is pre-assumed knowledge.
If you’re coming from a non-allied health background, for example an office worker who is looking to change careers look for an organisation that offers you a certificate 3 in fitness to begin with as this will provide you with the essential foundations before you commence your Pilates training.
2. Self-practise
One of the crucial elements to being a successful Pilates instructor is self-practise. Practise, practise, practise, like anything in life the more you put in the more you get out of it. Understanding the movements and being able to execute these well yourself is only going to enhance your teaching skills.
Attend as many classes as you can, practise at home, design a Pilates program for yourself.
We all have body issues to work on so designing yourself program is a fantastic self -learning tool. Practise on family and friends, they too will love the opportunity to receive Pilates sessions. This also provides a good opportunity to get use to cueing the exercises, often we know what we want someone to do but articulating it can be tricky especially when you first start teaching. The more verbal experience you have the better, write yourself a teaching script.
As an instructor it’s important to keep this self-practise up even after you’ve gained your Pilates certification, attending classes and 1:1 sessions will inspire your teaching, it’s also a great way to pick up repertoire. Make sure you keep a note pad with you and after attending a session and jot down the exercises you liked in the class, note how the classes flowed. It’s also useful to note what did and didn’t work in the class so you know what not to do when teaching yourself.
3. Write class plans
Teaching group classes for the first time can be a daunting experience so make sure you have a plan. Writing a class plan will enable you to structure the flow of the class, an easy guide to follow to ensure participants receive a full body workout is to include; flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion, abduction and adduction exercises. Make sure the class covers sections on: core abdominals, gluteals, upper body strength & stability, stretching, flexibility & mobility. Practise the class yourself, if you’re using reformers make sure you know the spring loading for each exercise and how to either make the exercise more or less challenging.
Every single participant is going to be a different strength levels so knowing this will ensure your clients are working at the right levels for their bodies. Also crucial is knowing the modifications of each movement, how to progress or regress depending on the clients ability.
4. Keep up your training
Once you’ve been teaching for a while its imperative to keep your classes’ fresh and inspiring, variety is the spice of life and that is the same with your Pilates classes.
Nobody wants to come to a class and repeat the same movements week after week, like our mind our muscles also need this challenge. Keep up your Pilates professional development by enrolling in some CPD courses.
Courses such as ante & post natal Pilates, Pilates for osteoporosis, Pilates for shoulder rehabilitation will enable you to expand your client base and start working confidently with various population groups. This can also enable other services to be set-up in your place of employment, for example ante & post natal Pilates classes.
5. Find a mentor
For new instructors who have completed their Pilates certification finding a mentor is invaluable.
An expert in the field to observe, ask those tricky questions too and assist with problem solving is so valuable. A great way to find a mentor is too attend Pilates classes and 1:1 sessions, if you meet an instructor you like and know you can learn off ask them to be your mentor, more often than not instructors are only too happy to help as they too had been their once before.
We recommend APPI Pilates instructor training course for allied health professionals. For further information and course dates around Australia please visit
www.unitehealth.com.au
