Job Description for a Pilates Instructor
Pilates is a system of low-impact exercise and movements designed to strengthen and stretch the body. It also incorporates a method of focused breathing patterns that help balance the body as well. Pilates instructors teach individuals the necessary movements and techniques to follow the pilates method. It can be a satisfying career for those who are avid followers of pilates, but full-time jobs are sometimes difficult to come by.
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Description
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Pilates instructors train others in the pilates methods. They may lead group classes or train clients one on one and instruct students in a range of stretching and strength activities. Pilates instructors must be able to adjust exercises, stretching techniques and breathing patterns to the individual's fitness level and ability. Through pilates exercises, instructors help students increase lung capacity; strengthen their abdominal and back muscles; and improve coordination. Pilates instructors teach students exercises that improve balance and posture as well. Pilates also can be helpful for individuals who are injured, so instructors may work with those in need of physical rehabilitation to improve joint strength.
Education
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To become a pilates instructor, individuals must complete training designed specifically for pilates teachers. Courses vary from brief workshops to formal programs as long as a year. The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) suggests instructors be active participants in a pilates program before attending teacher training. The PMA also recommends that instructors receive at least 200 hours of training and maintains a list of schools and courses that meet industry standards.
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Certification
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The PMA certifies pilates instructors by awarding the Certified Pilates Teacher (CPT) credential. Instructors who wish to become certified must be at least 18 years old and meet either educational or experience requirements. These include either completing 450 documented hours of pilates teacher training from an approved program or 720 hours of full-time experience as a pilates teacher in the previous 12 months. Candidates must then sit for the CPT exam, which consists of 150 multiple choice questions that test the individual's ability to evaluate clients' fitness levels and health status; design client-specific pilates programs; and make adjustments to a program based on clients' progress, as well as their knowledge of pilates terms, equipment and exercises. Certification is good for two years, and pilates instructors must participate in continuing education courses to be recertified.
Salary
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According to PayScale, a salary information website, certified pilates instructors with less than a year of experience earn between $12.21 and $29.48 hourly. Those with one to four years of experience are paid between $19.37 and $30.91, while those with five to nine years of experience earn between $19.52 and $40.59. Certified pilates instructors with more than 10 years of experience can earn as much as $44.25 per hour.
Employment Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment for fitness workers, including pilates instructors, should increase by 29 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is a much faster rate than the average for all occupations. Pilates instructors should enjoy particularly good employment prospects because as the aging population grows, there will be an increased demand for lower-impact exercises that help alleviate arthritis and other joint pains.
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References
- Photo Credit woman leaning on exercise ball image by Ken Hurst from Fotolia.com
