PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Building on the innovative fitness that began with Joseph Pilates, the MOVE Pilates Instructor Training Program will provide you with a depth of knowledge that prepares you for a successful career as a Pilates trainer.
Our 500-hour Comprehensive Program includes three in-person modules: Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, plus other self-guided and experiential learning requirements. Whether you’re interested in teaching private sessions, group classes, or a combination of both, our comprehensive program will provide you with all the tools needed to confidently teach a variety of populations in different fitness settings.
MOVE also offers a 100-hour Mat Pilates Course for those interested in starting their teaching career with Mat Pilates. The Mat Course includes 60 hours of in-person instruction and other self-guided and experiential learning requirements.
Join our many program graduates committed to changing lives through movement!
MORE PROGRAM DETAILS
The MOVE Instructor Training Program consists of in-person training modules; mentorship; practice teaching, personal practice, and observation hours; access to the MOVE studio and apprenticeship. Upon successful completion of the Program, students receive a Certificate of Completion and are prepared to sit for certification through the National Pilates Certification Program. For a complete breakdown of both courses, please visit the FAQ below. Note: MOVE offers a Bridge Program for those who have started their training with another provider. Please reach out to learn more about completing your training with us.
The Program is led by studio owner, Elaine Economou. Elaine is a seasoned Pilates instructor and former professional dancer. She has a degree in movement plus additional training in kinesiology, anatomy and other systems of movement. She is joined by a team of knowledgeable and passionate Instructor Trainers including Lauren Miller, Jen Peters, Jane Sheets, and Sara Atwell. You can learn more about our team here.
MAT TRAINING
- 100+ hours of in-person and experiential self-guided learning
- Introduction to the history and principles of Pilates.
- Learning to teach the complete mat repertoire with modifications for injuries and special populations.
- Session sequencing and teaching cues for group classes.
- Using props for advancing clients or for providing appropriate modifications and proprioceptive support.
- An overview of anatomy, postural analysis, and movement principles.
- Certificate of completion awarded upon the fulfillment of all requirements and passing practical and written exams
- Fulfills requirements for the NPCP Mat Certification exam.
REFORMER TRAINING
- Learning to teach the complete Reformer repertoire with modifications for injuries and special populations.
- Session sequencing and teaching cues for group classes.
- Modifications and techniques for teaching clients at different levels for group classes and individual instruction.
- Mat Module completion is required before taking the reformer module.
CADILLAC, CHAIR & BARRELS
- Learning to teach the complete Cadillac, Chair, & Barrels repertoire.
- Learning to teach the Magic Circle repertoire.
- Appropriate modifications for injuries and special populations.
- How to integrate the apparatus and repertoire in a private session or class setting.
- Learning to apply the Cadillac exercises on the Spring Wall and Reformer Tower.
- A certificate of completion is awarded for the Comprehensive Course after the successful completion of all three modules and all course requirements.
- Once students complete the comprehensive course they are eligible to sit for the NPCP Comprehensive Certification Exam.
ANATOMY
- Students are required to complete an online learning module to build your anatomy knowledge as you prepare to start training and during your program
- The course covers musculoskeletal anatomy, anatomical actions and terms as needed for the National Pilates Certification Program exam.
- In-person experiential anatomy includes introduction to movement principles beyond musculoskeletal anatomy including fascia, current understandings of posture and alignment, and introductory concepts in neuroscience and movement.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
At MOVE we believe that great Pilates instructors combine knowledge, experience, and independent thinking to train and inspire their clients. Through our program, you’ll experience a modern and comprehensive perspective on the original functional fitness program and learn to teach from your own informed, curious, and intelligent point of view.
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SCHEDULE
2026-2027 Comprehensive Course
Mat Module
Sept 25-27, 2026 | Oct 9-11, 2026 | Oct 23-25, 2026
Mat Exam: November 14, 2026
Reformer Module
December 4-6, 2026 | January 8-10, 2027 | January 22- 24, 2027
Reformer Exam: February 6, 2027
Cadillac, Chair & Barrels Module
February 19-21, 2027 | March 5-7, 2027 | March 19-21, 2027
CCB Exam: April 10, 2027
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Course Times
Fridays 3 – 7pm | Saturdays 9 – 5pm | Sundays 9 – 5pm
*times may be subject to change
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INSTRUCTOR TRAINING
Who can participate in teacher training?
Anybody with a passion for movement.
Pilates trainers can be any age, gender, body size, or body type. Some trainers have backgrounds in dance, gymnastics, and other athletics. Some trainers had no prior connection to sports or movement systems before discovering Pilates. Many have worked as physical therapists and fitness professionals. Others have worked as teachers, lawyers, or librarians and come from a range of unrelated fields. What they all have in common is an understanding of what Pilates can do for a person’s health and wellbeing, and a desire to share it with others.
Anyone interested in pursuing professional training and work as a Pilates instructor should be self-motivated, enthusiastic about Pilates as a movement system, and committed to obtaining professional certification and building their career.
You must be 18 or older to participate. We do consider motivated candidates of high school age, but you must be 18 to sit for the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) exam.
We recommend seeking out as much personal experience with Pilates as possible prior to beginning the MOVE Instructor Training (MIT) program. Instructor candidates can join our MOVE Prep program in the months leading up to the training program.
The MOVE Prep program allows you to take unlimited online classes and weekly private sessions through MOVE at a reduced rate with the goal of increasing your strength, stamina, and knowledge of Pilates before starting your instructor training. Anyone who has committed to joining the instructor training program by completing the MIT application and paying the tuition deposit of $500 can join the prep program.
What happens after I finish my Pilates Instructor Training?
After you have completed the MIT program, you will need to prepare for the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) exam. You must pass this exam to start teaching Pilates professionally.
In preparation for the exam and to provide you with the structure and support you might need as a new Pilates instructor, MIT program participants are invited to become MOVE Apprentice trainers. Through the apprenticeship, you’ll receive: one-on-one sessions and support from a MOVE mentor, access to MOVE clients for training, promotional and networking opportunities via MOVE communications, and opportunities to learn more about the logistics of pursuing a professional career in Pilates and running a movement and wellness business.
Can I take individual modules or do I need to complete the full program?
You may choose to take the comprehensive course or individual modules. Talking with our Program Director will help you choose the timeline and outcome that will support you in your career objectives. At MOVE we can accommodate your individual goals.
If possible, we recommend beginning with the Mat module (followed by Reformer) since that is where you will receive foundational information for the rest of your training. Mat and Reformer classes are often the most in- demand types of instruction at Pilates studios and gyms.
To sit for the NPCP exam, you will need to learn repertoire for all of the Pilates equipment. As of the end of 2023 the NPCP is offering a mat-only certification exam with plans to offer a Reformer-only certification exam in 2024. Schedule a call with us and we can help you make a plan.
What is the course schedule and what equipment will I be trained to use?
The MIT program consists of three successive modules. Participants are required to complete a minimum of 450 hours of instructor training as part of the comprehensive program. Training hours consist of class instruction, observation of other certified trainers, personal practice at home or in the studio, and practice teaching sessions. You can view our current schedule HERE.
MODULE 1, Mat training: 60 hours including three weekends of classroom instruction
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MODULE 2, Reformer training: 60 hours including three weekends of classroom instruction
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MODULE 3, Cadillac, Chair and Barrels (CCB): 60 hours including three weekends of classroom instruction
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Anatomy: In-depth anatomy instruction is incorporated into the above modules.
Do you offer tuition assistance?
If you’re committed to pursuing a career as a Pilates instructor, we’re committed to helping you get there. Please let us know if program costs are a potential barrier for you and we’ll talk through possible options to help you pursue your training. We currently offer the following programs to help finance tuition:
Pilates Diversity Scholarship (partial scholarships available)
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Work Study Program: Interested students can apply to come work for MOVE in exchange for reduced tuition.
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Payment Plans: We offer a payment plan where you can pay for your training over time in monthly installments.
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For more information on any of the above contact office@movewellness.com
I have a physical condition that limits my ability to do certain exercises. Can I still participate in the program?
Absolutely. While you are required to learn and understand the full version of each exercise, you are not required to physically execute everything in order to learn and teach it. Many program participants modify certain exercises as they are learning in order to accommodate their own bodies just as they would do with their own clients, which is one of the many beautiful aspects of this movement system. That being said, the program is physically rigorous and it will be helpful to build your strength and stamina in the weeks and months before beginning the program.
After I complete the MOVE Instructor Training Program, will I be certified to teach Pilates?
At the end of the program, you will be issued a certificate of completion, but you will still need to take and pass the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) exam.
Our expectation is that program participants pass the NPCP within six months of completing the MIT program.
If your goal is to become a certified Pilates instructor at MOVE Wellness, here are the steps to get there:
Gain experience with Pilates either on your own or by enrolling in the MOVE Instructor Training Prep program.
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Enroll in and complete the MOVE Instructor Training program.
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Become a MOVE apprentice trainer and begin teaching.
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Prepare for and take the NPCP or other nationally recognized Pilates certification exam.
When and how can I start teaching Pilates?
Some gyms and movement studios will hire instructors-in-training as long as they are on track to finish and plan on completing certification. At MOVE Wellness, we have an apprentice program that offers mentorship and teaching opportunities so you have the support and opportunities you need to develop your competence and confidence.
Can I teach Pilates part-time or is it a full-time job?
One of the great things about pursuing a career as a Pilates instructor is that you can shape it into whatever you want and need it to be. Some trainers teach full-time while many others teach part-time alongside other full- or part-time jobs. Pilates instruction is also a great, in-demand complementary skill set to careers in physical therapy, dance, massage therapy, athletic coaching, and more.
How much money can I make as a Pilates Instructor?
How much you can make as an instructor varies considerably depending on your experience, levels of certification, geographic location, and preferred teaching schedule.
Newer trainers can expect to earn around $15-$20 per hour, while experienced trainers with additional certifications and areas of specialization can earn much more. The average salary for a certified trainer in the US is $33.13 per hour.
Will I need to take any more coursework or complete more training after my initial certification?
Yes, Pilates instructors should expect to enroll regularly in continuing education courses. Further developing your overall knowledge base and expertise, as well as developing additional areas of specialization will allow you to better serve your clients, broaden your client base, and increase the amount of money you can make over time.
Most instructors take at least one course per year, and most certifications require that you take a course at least once every two years. Courses can be as short as a one-day or weekend workshop, while others might take place over the course of a week or two.
What is the course overview and breakdown of hours?
COMPREHENSIVE COURSE (500 hours)
200 hours of in-person training including:
- Pilates History
- Experiential anatomy
- Education on special populations
- Complete Pilates repertoire on Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels (Ladder Barrel, Arc Barrel, and Spine Corrector), and Magic Circle
- Class and private session programming practice
- Supervised practice teaching
- Problem solving round-robin style teaching
- Practical exams
300 hours of self-guided and experiential learning :
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- Homework
- Reading
- Research Project
- Anatomy Course
- Observation – 75 hours
- Personal Practice – 75 hours
- Practice Teaching – 115 hours
- Two written exams
MAT COURSE (100 hours)
60 hours of in-person training including:
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- Pilates History
- Experiential anatomy
- Education on special populations
- Complete Mat Pilates repertoire
- Class and private session programming practice
- Supervised practice teaching
- Problem solving round-robin style teaching
- Practical exams
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50 hours of self-guided and experiential learning:
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- Homework
- Reading
- Anatomy Course
- Observation – 10 hours
- Personal Practice – 10 hours
- Practice Teaching – 10 hours
PILATES INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AT MOVE WELLNESS
MOVE Wellness offers a comprehensive Pilates instructor training program in our Ann Arbor, MI, studio. Led by experienced Program Director Elaine Economou, our program is designed to teach you the repertoire for all of the Pilates equipment, develop your skills with hands-on experience, and prepare you for the National Pilates Certification Program Exam in a supportive and encouraging environment.
To make Pilates training as accessible as possible, we offer payment plans, plus scholarships and work study (as available).
Check out our FAQ above for more information on our program and contact us to learn more. We’re happy to talk through any more questions you may have!