Pilates Equipment Certification

Pilates certification training involves learning hundreds of exercises, many of which can be performed on more than one of Joseph Pilates' machines, according to Pilates teacher Romana Kryzanowska. You can choose to get certified to teach all of the equipment, or you can pick and choose which pieces to focus on first. Consider where you want to teach, and ask prospective employers what they require before you commit to a certification program. If you plan to open your own studio, consider the size of the equipment and whether you want to offer training on all or some of the pieces.

Comprehensive

Several Pilates teaching organizations offer training in beginner, intermediate and advanced modules. You can learn all of the exercises for one level on the Reformer, chairs, barrels and the Cadillac at once. Some students prefer this style of learning because it offers time to increase your own strength, instead of requiring you to be in top shape at the beginning of your training, says Kryzanowska.

Reformer

The Reformer is the most common piece of Pilates equipment, and many students learn this piece first, Kryzanowska says. Legend has it that Pilates developed the Reformer after dismantling a hospital bed to create a piece of rehabilitative equipment during World War I, according to the Pilates Association of Canada. The American Council on Exercise lists more than 50 Reformer training programs that range from day-long programs to week-long seminars requiring a written exam and a practical demonstration.

Chairs

Pilates invented three pieces of chair equipment -- the wunda chair, the electric chair and the small chair, says Kryzanowska. Modern manufactures have created a combination of the wunda and electric chairs, as well as a split-pedal version, which offers the ability to teach more exercises on one piece of equipment. As of 2010, ACE lists 11 chair certification programs.

Barrels

Barrel training includes exercises on the ladder barrel, the spine corrector and the arc barrel, reports Kryzanowska. Although the ladder barrel takes the space of a twin bed, the spine corrector and the arc barrel are similar in size to a small ottoman, making them easier to fit into any size Pilates studio. ACE lists seven barrel certification courses as of 2010.

Cadillac

The Cadillac is the largest piece of Pilates equipment, taking about the space of full-sized bed. It has a large scaffold over a table, and is often referred to as a trapeze table. Although this piece is used extensively with unconditioned clients, its size and expense put it out of reach for some Pilates studios. As of 2010, ACE lists fewer than 10 Cadillac certification programs.