Frequently Asked Questions

Where do the trainings take place?

The Pilates Education Collective strives to bring the Pilates community together and so we have partnered with different studios around the county to offer our trainings. This lends to diverse experiences and helps align new instructors with great teaching opportunities.

To view the location of a particular training visit our courses page.

Why Balanced Body?

What makes a Balanced Body education an exceptional education?

Internationally recognized with access to 400+ education sites worldwide.
15 years of proven curriculum with over 30,000 graduates, giving students access to an exclusive alumni network.
Flexible, modular system that provides students more time, options and instructor exposure.
Backed by Balanced Body, the global leader in Pilates equipment for over 45 years.
Our graduates have the option to be featured in our Instructor Directory & Studio Finder as a resource (Education Department specifically).

How does the program work?

Our Pilates program is set up as modular course offerings. Courses are most often offered on weekends to allow those working or with busy weekly schedules to be able to participate.

Each course covers a specific amount of work designed to create an educational arc of learning that is digestible and easily integrated into practice.

Courses have a hierarchy and though some can be taken independently of other courses, they are often taught as stepping stones toward completion of your certification program of choice.

For example, if you want to become a Mat instructor, you would take Movement Principles, Mat I, Mat II and Mat III courses to be eligible to test out. Mat II cannot precede Mat I.

Where should I begin?

Movement Principles is the gateway course and is highly recommended as the starting place for your course work.

From there you can move into your level 1 courses; Mat 1 or Reformer 1.

If it is not possible to start with Movement Principles, please contact us to discuss your circumstances. We may be able to help you find an alternative training at another location or, in rare instances, we determine that it is reasonable for a student to take the modules out of order.

(the next course after Movement Principles that is appropriate for you is dependent on the level of certification you desire. For example, if you are looking for a Mat certification you would need to take Mat 1 first, and then proceed to Mat 2 & 3.)

How long until I'm certified?

How long it takes to complete the comprehensive program and get certified depends a great deal on the individual because our program is designed to be flexible.

To get through the entire program, on average, takes about one year with certification happening anywhere from 6-12 months after completing the last module.

If you are dedicated it can happen quicker, and of course it can also take longer.

Where should I start?

There are several modules that students can begin the program with, depending on your background and experience.

Movement Principles, Anatomy, Mat 1, and Reformer 1 are all designed to be entry-level courses.

That being said, we recommend beginning with Movement Principles or Anatomy when possible.

If you would like to speak with someone at the Pilates Education Collective about your specific situation, please email us at [email protected]

We'll be happy to assist you!

How do I get my hours?

With the Balanced Body program you are required to do a certain number of self practice hours, student teaching hours, and observation hours.

The number of hours are different for the different certificates offered.

Self practice can be at home, in live or virtual classes, and in private sessions.

Student teaching hours can also be done at home or in a studio setting.

Observation hours should be done at a studio, and ideally with Balanced Body instructors when possible, but diversity is also beneficial, so sampling more than one instructor’s work is highly recommended.

Note: It is perfectly clear to a seasoned instructor when a student shows up to a test out and has not completed the required hours. For this reason, the hours are self-reported and on the honor system. While we believe it is good to observe and complete hours at the studio you take courses at, this is not required. In truth, we highly recommend that you teach, observe, and practice in as many different environments as possible. This allows you to hear cues, observe hands-on techniques, and employ strategies from a wide variety of teachers. It also makes you think about what good teaching is and how best to approach it.

Can I take individual courses? Or do I need to commit to the whole thing?

Yes and no. Since our courses are structured in an educational hierarchy, some of them have pre-requisite requirements. For example, you must take Reformer I before taking Reformer II. However, our introductory courses, Anatomy in 3 Dimensions™ and Movement Principles may be taken as individual courses.