When I first started researching about becoming a Pilates Teacher, I was shocked at the cost. Why was it so expensive to become a Pilates Teacher? Looking at the programs, the content seemed just like any other fitness course out there but it felt like it was financially out of reach.
I took the leap anyway and started my first weekend of training. I quickly realized this was so much more than any other training program I’d done before. The depth of knowledge and detail that went in to training far surpassed any program I had taken in the past, and trust me, I had done many.
Here’s some things for you to consider as you research programs for this new career:
1) Does the program include apprenticeship hours as a part of training?
Teaching movement requires more than learning a few exercises and showing them to your client. It requires understanding of the background knowledge you receive during your in class sessions and also the opportunity to practice teach with the guidance of a supportive mentor. A program that offers and includes this teaching format is invaluable. The more you see the method being practiced and applied, the more you can improve your understanding and enhance your problem solving skills to apply the information your learning.
2) Is there financial support available?
Depending on the program you choose, financial support can be available in varying levels of support. Ask the company you are planning to train with if they have be recognized by The Ministry of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour to provide tuition tax credits. An accredited program is able to offer you income tax credits on your Canadian Income Tax return. This tax credit provides you the same incentive as attending college or university and helps you decrease the overall tax you pay.
The Canadian Ontario Job Grant (COJG) is also available to eligible employers and their employees to help build their Pilates programs and cover the cost to train their staff. This program can assist with covering the majority of the cost of training and materials where applicable.
3) What background do the program instructors have?
When you invest in your career, you expect that you will receive the best training for the money you have spent. The experience behind your instructor is one of the things that can make or break your success. Ask questions about how long your instructor has been training clients and how long they have been teaching others to teach. You should also ensure that their teaching style will meet your needs and is geared toward your success. Talk to others who have trained with them and find out the pros and cons of their teaching and program. Protect your investment by finding a program that most suits you, your learning style and the support you need to complete the program.
4) How easy is it to find work after your training is completed?
Pilates has been around since the early 1920s and continues to grow in popularity and familiarity. With increased awareness of Pilates and its benefits, there is increased need for teachers. Once your training is complete, there are a host of options available from your own in-home studio to working for someone else in a Pilates studio, rehab facility or other fitness program. On average, Pilates teachers can work 20 – 40 hours per week depending on their availability to provided flexible hours that meet client needs.
A career as a Pilates Teacher can be a rewarding and fulfilling one. The education required to develop a successful and long lasting career is very rich and detailed and goes far beyond learning choreography or a recipe of exercises. Take the time to investigate all the components of the programs you are looking in to and your investment will reward you with a career you will enjoy.
“Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” – Confucius.