Which stream of the education would I fit into?

The Physio and Rehab stream is designed for physiotherapists and other rehabilitative practitioners, such as osteopaths, chiropractors, doctors. It assumes a prior knowledge and understanding of the anatomy, injuries, pathology, movement patterns and muscle function and activation. We have selected the exercises and apparatus most likely to be used in the clinical setting and started with these, with the option to continue on and learn the full advanced repertoire.

The Fitness stream is designed for those already working in the fitness or health and wellness industry, with a prior knowledge of anatomy, muscle function and movement. This may include group fitness instructors, personal trainers, sports scientists, and other health and fitness professionals.  In the fitness stream, you learn the basic and intermediate mat exercises first as these are the easiest to implement into your gym or personal training programs, and it enables you to start taking mat classes too.

The Comprehensive stream is for those who have no prior learning or study on anatomy, the body, muscle function or movement. It involves an anatomy course prior to learning any Pilates exercises, then continues on with the mat course like the Fitness stream, to enable you to take mat classes.

If you are unsure as to which category you fit into, please contact us at education

Do you run courses in places other than Brisbane?

We plan to run both physiotherapy level 1 and 2, matwork and reformer courses in all of the capital cities and possibly other cities of Australia in 2009. To run courses in these places, we will need some host venues:  gyms for the matwork courses and physio practices/pilates studios with reformers for the reformer and physio courses. We will be searching for these host venues early 2009, and will offer either a generous discount, free course or payment for the use of the venue (to be discussed with the host facility). If you are interested in your gym/studio/practice hosting a course, please let us know. Also, if you would like us to let you know of any upcoming courses in your state, please email us at education and we can contact you once the dates and venues have been finalised.
 

How long do the courses take and how much do they cost?

This totally depends on how far you want to go with your Pilates training – do you just want to teach matwork, learn Pilates for your physio clients, or learn the whole repertoire and all apparatus? For more information on this, please visit the education section of our website and select your appropriate stream, then go to Course Information and Prices at the bottom of the page.
 

What do the examinations involve?

For each course, you will be examined on both theory and practical components. The theory questions relate to the technical components of the exercises, injuries exercise prescription.  The practical component is a combination of the instructor trainer watching you instruct over the duration of the course as well as a practical examination, where you will be asked to instruct a randomly assigned exercise and marked on knowledge of the exercise, cueing/instructing and making corrections.  To maintain the high standard of instructors we certify, we do require an 80% pass mark.  It is uncommon for this to happen, but if we do deem you not ready to start instructing at the end of your course, do not despair - we will give you the extra support you require and enable you to re-sit your exam at a date convenient to you and your instructor trainer for an additional fee of $100. We want you to succeed and are with you all the way.
 

Where can I work after I finish my course?

After completing the matwork course, you can teach the exercises anywhere you like, anywhere in the world.  This includes gyms, matwork classes, in Pilates studios, or physiotherapy practices. After completing the equipment modules, you can teach these exercises anywhere that you will find the equipment, which will usually be a Pilates studio, personal training studio or physiotherapy practice. Some studios will have all of the Pilates equipment and require you to have completed all of the apparatus courses before working there, whilst others will need just a matwork or reformer instructor. It is best to check with the studio you wish to work in as to what they require you to have done.
 

How do I gain certification?

Upon completion of each course and passing the required examinations, you will be certified to teach the exercises learned in that course.

Our course is accredited with Fitness Australia. For fitness trainers, present your Matwork course certificate to Fitness Australia to receive your 15 CEC points.

To date, Studio Pilates International has neither recommended nor dissuaded its graduates from seeking any other additional certification beyond their Studio Pilates certification - a certification that is highly regarded within the health and fitness fields.  Studio Pilates stands behind its training and certification programs as the highest calibre and most comprehensive of its kind in the industry. To achieve Studio Pilates certification, students must receive a minimum score of 80% (practical and written) in order to pass.  Pass marks in both the practical and theory sections must be met in order to achieve certification.

It is quite confusing, but as it stands at the moment, there is no need to be accredited with anyone other than Studio Pilates, and there are so many "accrediting bodies" such as APMA, Pilates Alliance, PMA etc.  The main reason behind accreditation is for insurance purposes which you can receive after completing our courses. Studio Pilates will continue to evaluate the various accreditation processes and to monitor the evolving needs and demands of consumers and the professional fitness industry.
 

Do I need insurance?

Yes, you will definitely need professional indemnity insurance and possibly public liability insurance depending on where you wish to work.

Physiotherapists:  your physiotherapy insurance should cover you for any Pilates exercises that you teach.  It is still best to check with your insurer that this is in fact the case, but I have yet to meet any physios who had to take out extra cover.

Fitness trainers: as the matwork course is accredited with Fitness Australia you will be covered by your regular insurance if with Fitness Australia. Currently, no reformer courses are recognised with Fitness Australia, so you may need to take out extra insurance to teach reformer Pilates. Please check with your insurer. If you need extra cover, please contact us for contact details of insurance companies who are the best for Pilates.

Other: you will need insurance to teach Pilates, so at the end of your first course, you will receive details of the best insurance companies for Pilates along with your certificate.