Stott Pilates, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, provides teacher certifications in more than 100 locations in the United States, Canada and around the world. Headed by Moira Stott, who studied with Joseph Pilates' protégé, Romana Kryzanowska, the Stott system combines classical Pilates exercises with modern physical therapy knowledge to create a safe, modern system of exercise.
Intensive
You should have a working knowledge of anatomy, 30 hours of Pilates sessions and three years of fitness teaching experience prior to beginning the Stott Pilates Intensive certification program, which is a fast-track method for fitness professionals who want to add individual Pilates training to their existing repertoire. This program covers teaching methods for mat, reformer, Cadillac, chair and barrel exercises, and includes 45 class, 30 observation, 85 practice and 50 teaching hours. Although you must take your class hours at an approved workshop studio, you can complete your other hours at a studio closer to where you live.
Comprehensive
Pilates enthusiasts with little or no fitness teaching experience can apply to the comprehensive teaching program after completing a minimum of 30 private Pilates sessions. You can expect to learn functional anatomy and basic teaching skills, as well as the complete Pilates repertoire for matwork, reformer, Cadillac, chair and barrel work for individual training. This program includes 140 class, 30 observation, 110 practice and 65 teaching hours, as well as a 100-hour apprenticeship.
Group Reformer
Teaching groups is a separate skill set from assessing and teaching individuals. The group reformer program covers skills for teaching beginner and intermediate reformer exercises to small groups. You should have three years of group exercise teaching experience, 30 hours of private sessions and a working knowledge of functional anatomy prior to taking this program. You can expect to complete the program with the ability to teach 12 different class formats, including beginner and intermediate classes, plyometric classes and modified classes. This program includes 50 class, three observation, seven practice and 10 teaching hours.
Considerations
Before committing to a Pilates certification program, you should check with prospective employers regarding their hiring criteria. Some locations require certification from a specific program to ensure consistency across their program. Some require a third-party certification from the Pilates Method Alliance, an organization that seeks to set exemplary standards for Pilates trainers.
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