Modernising Pilates Instructor Education

The modern Pilates studio has more mature clientele

Over the past 25 years, notable Pilates innovators like Moira Stott and Lindsay Merrithew of Merrithew Corporation, Brent Anderson of Polestar Pilates, Rael Isacowitz of BASI Pilates, Lynne Robinson of Body Control Pilates, and the founders of Peak Pilates, Colleen Glenn and Richard Scalesse, have all contributed significantly to the development of contemporary Pilates.

Despite their pioneering work and the expansion of their offerings, including rehabilitation-focused programs, the overall structure of Pilates education has not sufficiently evolved to meet the changing needs and expectations of clients.  Initially favoured by athletes, dancers, and those in rehabilitation, the clientele of Pilates now includes a much broader demographic, often referred by medical professionals to aid in managing various health conditions.

This new reality necessitates a substantial transformation in how Pilates instructors are trained, ensuring they are equipped to handle a more diverse and aging population with specific health concerns.

The clientele of Pilates studios, especially those outside major urban centres, has aged considerably.  The average age of clients has shifted from the mid-30s to 50s and beyond, with many now in their 70s and 80s.  These clients often do not come to Pilates with a background of fitness but rather with multiple comorbidities which require careful and knowledgeable handling.

Despite these demographic changes, the structure of Pilates education remains largely unchanged.  Pilates instructors are predominantly trained to teach fit individuals without health complications.  This leaves them underprepared to address common issues such as lower back pain, osteoporosis, menopause-related hormonal changes, and pelvic health conditions, which are prevalent among their clients.

Specific Issues Unaddressed in Training:

• Osteoporosis: Traditional Pilates exercises, which involve a high percentage of flexion, can exacerbate conditions like osteoporosis, potentially leading to microfractures in clients with low bone density.
• Menopause: The hormonal changes during menopause require a different approach to exercise, which current Pilates training does not provide.
• Pelvic Health: Up to 30% of female clients may experience pelvic health issues, such as incontinence or pelvic pain, yet instructors often lack the training to effectively support these conditions.

Where Training companies do offer workshops in these areas, they tend to be too short in length and too shallow in depth to do any more than to help the instructor to understand how little they know to support their client, rather than giving them the depth of knowledge and the supporting exercise toolboxes to have the confidence to embrace these clients.

The evolution of client needs must be mirrored by a transformation in Pilates instructor education.  This involves not only a deeper foundational knowledge of anatomy and physiology but also comprehensive training in assessing and adapting exercises to meet individual health conditions.

Moreover, the incorporation of modern educational technologies and methodologies, which have been successfully adopted in medical training, could greatly enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of Pilates instructor training.

• Hybrid Learning Models:  Combining online theoretical learning with practical, face-to-face sessions can provide a more flexible and comprehensive educational framework.
• Reflective Learning Practices:  Adopting reflective cycles from medical education to continuously improve the skills and performance of Pilates instructors.

Currently the focus of education is on Specific pieces of Apparatus (Mat, Reformer, Tower, Cadillac, Barrels) and education in these types of Apparatus remains essential – but to what extent is this truly education as opposed to Repertoire induction and learning.  I believe that the necessary education is in the application of that Repertoire.  The model needs to be 3 dimensional and not 2 dimensional:   

·        Foundational Understanding and Skills (A&P. Assessment and Evaluation, Muscle and ROM Testing, Basic Principles of Pilates, Studio Health and Safety, Flexibility, Stretching, ROM and Myofascial Release Techniques etc.)

·        Apparatus Based Repertoire at entry level (25% most useful exercises) and more complete level (the other 75%) (Matwork, Reformer, Tower/Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Barrels, Pedi-Pole, Foot Corrector, Accessories etc.)

·        Understanding of Dysfunctions, Comorbidities and Human Conditions common to the general Population) (Back Ache, Low Bone Density, Menopause, Joint pain, Specific Cancers, neurological Conditions, Cardiovascular conditions etc.)

·        Application of the Understanding and Skills using the Repertoire to deliver solutions for the Dysfunctions, Comorbidities and Human Conditions.)

·        Teaching Styles and Skills.   One-on-one, Group Exercise, Managing Apparatus Circuits, Do’s and Don’ts to build a loyal clientele

·        The Business of Pilates – modules on elements of Business planning, Apparatus maintenance, Operational areas of a Studio, People management, CRM tools and technology etc.

In my opinion the first Pilates organisation to overhaul its education system to integrate technology effectively and cater to the specific needs of modern clients will position itself as a leader in the field.  This reformed educational structure should be modular, allowing for specialisation and continued professional development without redundancy.  By addressing these educational gaps, the Pilates community can better serve its evolving clientele and ensure its relevance and efficacy in promoting health and wellness.

The opportunity exists to create educational pathways that combine Qualifications with CPD without separating the two; thus maximising the profitability of the modules and drawing in a much wider audience from without Pilates as well as within.   The Personal Trainer may wish to take a Postural Analysis Module as CPD for their own Profession, without needing to be a Pilates Teacher.    Myofascial Release techniques for Fitness Professionals is as applicable to a Group exercise instructor, or Yoga teacher, or sports conditioning coach, as it is to a Pilates Instructor.  Understanding Menopause is relevant to Pilates as it is to all Exercise modalities.

If Pilates Instructors are to be transformed into Pilates Professionals, they should be able; just like Physiotherapists or Doctors and nurses to hold a qualification yet at the same time develop one or more specialisms.  Differentiation in the marketplace for the Instructor should be seen as ‘manna from heaven’ for the Pilates Training organisation who can first offer this to the Pilates Instructor market.  

 

Chris

Chris Onslow

Pilates Business Specialist Consultant

Phone: +44 (0)1993 883449

Whatsapp text +44(0)7301052846 

20 Nash Lane, Freeland, Witney, Oxon, OX29 8HS, UK

Web: https://www.pilates-consultant.co.uk/  (Pilates Consultancy, Apparatus sales and hire)

Email: chris@pilatesconsultant.co.uk

Web: https//www.mbodiesacademy.co.uk/  (Instructor training)

Email: chris@mbodiesacademy.co.uk

Web: https://mbodies.thinkific.com/     (Online Training Portal)