Additional Certification Requirements

Description of Student Observation
Description of Student Self-Practice
Practical Exam Requirements
Written Final Exam Sample Questions

Description of Student Observation Mat and Equipment

In this component of your Equipment Certification, you will schedule time in the Personal Best Pilates Studio to observe certified instructors teaching mat classes (for mat certification) or working with their clients (for equipment certification). The student is responsible for keeping track of their hours and getting a signature after each session or class. Equipment certification observation can only occur with the clients permission.

Observation goals

You will learn through observation:

1. How the Certified Instructor verbally teaches and physically demonstrates the Pilates exercises.
2. How the Certified Instructor structures a Pilates exercise session or class.
3. How to design a program and keep client records.
4. How the Certified Instructor coaches the client to provide corrections and feedback about the exercises.
5. How the Certified Instructor keeps the session safe and focused.

Description of Student Self-Practice - Equipment

In this component of the Equipment Certification, you will schedule time in Personal Best Pilates Studio to practice the Pilates exercises as you learn them in the lecture component of the certification. You are responsible for scheduling during times when clients of the studio will not be disturbed, keeping track of your hours and getting a signature from the supervising instructor.

Self-Practice Goals

You will learn through practice:

1. Safety and spring configuration for each exercise and piece of equipment
2. Appropriate form, modifications and variations for each exercise
3. Progression of each exercise as it relates to other exercises
4. Breathing for each exercise

Description of Student Self-Practice - Mat

In this component of the Mat Certification, you will be provided with a 10 class Mat card in order to take classes at Personal Best Pilates Studio. You may participate in any classes on our schedule as self-practice hours.

Practical Exam Requirements:

You will be given a list of the exercises taught during the lecture component of the equipment certification.

You will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate physically and verbally explain each exercise.
2. Demonstrate proper breathing for each exercise.
3. Demonstrate safety, proper spring configuration and set-up of the equipment for each exercise.
4. Demonstrate modifications and/or variation of selected exercises.
5. Research and demonstrate additional exercises not taught during the lecture component.

Written Final Exam Sample Questions:

• A client has weak abdominals and hip flexors. You’ve decided to teach teaser for the first time. On which of the following pieces of equipment would be the best to begin?
• The reformer
• The cadillac
• The ladder barrel
• The spine corrector
  
• What did Joseph Pilates call his method of exercise?
• Pilates
• Aerobics
• Circus fitness
• Contrology
  
• While teaching pike on the chair, and advanced client complains of pain in her left shoulder. You should:
• Increase the spring weight
• Tell her to work through the pain
• Call the emergency room
• Stop the movement
  
• Which of the following cues would be inappropriate when teaching long spine on the reformer?
• Navel to spine on exhale
• Pubic bone and ASIS in same plane
• Articulate one vertebra at a time
• Feet and hips in straight line