June 21, 2019 - Pilates Instructor Academy

If you have a passion for Pilates and are ready to take that relationship to the next level, you may be considering how to become a Pilates instructor. Can you teach Pilates without certification? What is the difference between Pilates instructor certification and Pilates teacher training? Once you get Pilates certified, what does that mean? You’re going to have questions as you navigate through your Pilates journey, and we have the answers.

The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) exam is an excellent way to continue your journey with Pilates by becoming a PMA Certified Pilates Instructor. When you are ready to take the PMA exam, and have completed the eligibility requirements, Pilates Instructor Academy can help you with PMA exam prep and study materials. Our PMA exam prep course includes a webinar and a flashcard set that will help you gain the confidence and knowledge you need to succeed when you are ready to take the PMA certification exam.

What is the PMA Exam

The PMA exam is the only third party Pilates instructor certification administered by a non-profit currently available in the Pilates field. As of this writing, it is the only Pilates certification exam that is NCCA accredited.  The 150-question PMA test covers a wide variety of Pilates instruction methods and applications over the mat and all basic apparatus, including:

• Reformer
• Trapeze Table
• Wunda Chair
• Ladder Barrel
• Spine Corrector
• Magic Circle

The PMA Pilates instructor certification exam can be taken online or in person at a scheduled testing event, and lasts for two years. When you become a Pilates certified instructor, that certification follows you wherever you go. It doesn’t matter if you are teaching a group Pilates class at a community center or decide you want to become a Pilates instructor exclusively for private sessions. When you receive your PMA certification, any potential employer or client will know you have completed a thorough study of the Pilates method and are ready to share that knowledge with others.

PMA Exam Eligibility

There are a few eligibility requirements you must meet before you can take the PMA certification exam.

1. You must be at least 18 years old.
2. You need to complete a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program. This program needs to include a minimum of 450 hours spent training on the mat, as well as all the basic apparati.
3. You need to be able to sit for the 150-question, multiple choice exam, whether online or at a brick and mortar testing event.

Once you meet these requirements, you are ready to prepare for your PMA certification exam.

The Pilates Instructor Academy PMA Exam Preparation Course

Pilates Instructor Academy offers an exceptional PMA exam preparation course designed to help your pilates instructor exam experience go as smoothly as possible. We want you to have all the resources you need to take the PMA test, and have developed a comprehensive course made up of online webinars and flashcards that will help you pass. We have so much confidence in our Pilates instructor certification exam prep course that we guarantee your success with the final PMA exam. If you don’t pass your PMA test within three months of taking our prep course, you can retake the PMA exam preparation course at no cost. *We do recommend that you have access to the PMA study guide, as it is referenced throughout the PMA exam prep course.

PMA Exam Webinars

The first part of our PMA exam prep course is the PMA exam webinar. We use a combination of lectures and sample quizzes to provide you with an in-depth review of the PMA manual, sample questions, and PMA test-taking tips. The webinar itself will take about 45 minutes to work through, not including additional study time, which is highly recommended. Our webinar instructor, Amanda Iiams, is a PMA certified Pilates teacher with over 30 years of experience working in the health and fitness industry, and holds a Master’s Degree in both Higher Education Administration and Exercise Physiology from the University of Missouri.

PMA Exam Flashcards

The Pilates Instructor Academy’s PMA exam flashcard set is an excellent addition to your study materials when you are preparing to become a Pilates teacher. The set of 200+ flashcards are full-color, front and back, and based on Joseph Pilates’ 1945 book, Return to Life Through Contrology. The flashcards include all of the mat and Pilates apparatus exercises, as well as any contraindications, or reasons someone should avoid certain exercises or positions. These flashcards are a helpful resource for any Pilates instructor, even after you have passed your PMA certification exam and can be bundled with the webinar course for a reduced rate. When you are ready to take the next step on your Pilates journey and take the PMA certification exam, set yourself up for success when you enroll in the Pilates Instructor Academy’s online PMA exam prep course.