Thinking about starting your own in-house Pilates teacher training program? Whether you’re a studio owner in a remote area struggling to find well-trained instructors or simply looking to streamline your teaching operations, this episode is for you. We dive into the benefits of offering in-house training, the structure and flexibility of Mara’s 52-week program, and how to balance high-quality education with real-world teaching scenarios.
You’ll learn how to integrate the training into your studio’s daily routine, why offering teacher training can benefit your studio’s growth and consistency, and how to price the program to support both your trainees and business. If you’ve been struggling to find or train qualified instructors, this episode provides a roadmap for success, tailored for studio owners like you!
Show Notes
- The importance of in-house training to maintain consistency in studio culture and teaching style.
- How Pilates Encyclopedia offers a structured yet flexible teacher training program, complete with online resources and mentoring support.
- The unique challenges remote studios face in training new instructors and how to overcome them.
- Tips for studio owners on how to price and structure their training programs.
- The difference between commercial training programs and creating personalized, studio-specific certifications.
Resources mentioned in the show:
Meet the Expert
Mara Sievers
Mara Sievers, NCPT, is the creator of Pilates Encyclopedia, the largest and most organized Pilates library on the internet. If your goal is to teach safe and effective Pilates classes that your students will love, this is the right membership for you. After owning a boutique studio in New Hampshire for eight years, Mara now focuses on helping Pilates teachers confidently teach clients with various pathologies and movement goals. Starting in 2025, Pilates enthusiasts can become comprehensively certified through Pilates Encyclopedia in collaboration with studios around the world. The Pilates method has been defining Mara’s movement experience since 1998 and has been a lifesaver more than once for her personally. Her body of work is her dedication to this awesome and powerful practice.
The Importance of In-House Training to Maintain Consistency in Studio Culture and Teaching Style
One of the main advantages of offering in-house Pilates teacher training is maintaining consistency in the teaching style throughout your studio. When teachers are trained in-house, they naturally adopt your studio’s unique culture and approach to Pilates. This eliminates the confusion that can arise when instructors trained in different styles bring varying methodologies into the same space.
As Mara explains, “In-house training ensures that new instructors understand your studio’s vibe and fit in perfectly from the start.” This consistency is not only beneficial for the studio but also for clients, who experience a smooth transition between instructors. Clients can trust that no matter who is teaching the class, they’ll receive the same quality of instruction, which is key for client retention and building long-term relationships.
The Unique Challenges Remote Studios Face in Training New Instructors
Remote studios often face unique struggles when it comes to finding and training new Pilates instructors. Geographic isolation makes it difficult to attract qualified teachers, and prospective trainees often have to travel to larger cities for training. This adds extra costs and time commitments, which can be prohibitive for many.
Mara’s Pilates Encyclopedia program directly addresses this issue by offering a flexible, online training structure that can be integrated into any local studio. “Our program allows remote studios to train new teachers without requiring them to leave their area,” Mara explains. Trainees can complete much of the coursework online, and then gain hands-on experience by working directly with clients at the studio. This approach bridges the gap between theory and practice while creating a smoother transition into a teaching role.
The Biggest Struggles of Running an In-House Pilates Teacher Training Program
Running an in-house teacher training program can be tough, especially for smaller studios. One of the most challenging aspects is creating all the materials needed for the program, such as manuals and teaching resources. “Creating a comprehensive manual can take years,” Mara says. “It’s a huge job—photos, descriptions, modifications, exercises—it’s endless.”
Marketing the program and getting enough students to sign up is another obstacle. “Running a teacher training program for one or two people isn’t always worth it, but getting a larger group together can be a challenge,” Mara adds. Studio owners also need to manage their time carefully, balancing the demands of teaching and supporting trainees with running their business.
Designing a Pilates Teacher Training Curriculum
Creating a Pilates teacher training program is a major undertaking. According to Mara, it’s essential for the curriculum to cover exercises for all levels, from athletes to beginners to clients with injuries. It’s not just about teaching exercises, though—the curriculum should also focus on modifications, teaching skills, and long-term planning.
“One of the biggest gaps I see in training programs is sequencing,” Mara explains. “Trainees don’t always know how to structure a class, or how to create long-term plans that guide clients toward their goals.”
Real-world experience is also crucial. Trainees need to apply their learning in practical settings with real clients, under the guidance of a mentor who provides feedback to help them improve. This hands-on approach is essential to building the confidence needed to teach effectively.
How Pilates Encyclopedia Makes It Easier to Run an In-House Teacher Training Program
Mara’s Pilates Encyclopedia training program takes a lot of the pressure off studio owners. The 52-week curriculum covers everything from anatomy to teaching skills, with the theoretical content handled online. “Mentors don’t have to worry about teaching theory,” Mara explains. “They can focus on the practical side of teaching Pilates.”
The flexibility of Pilates Encyclopedia’s program allows studio owners to schedule training sessions based on their availability, rather than following a strict weekend schedule. This is especially helpful for smaller studios or those with limited staff. Additionally, the program includes ready-made resources, so studio owners don’t need to spend hours creating manuals and materials.
“All the content is ready to go,” Mara says. “Mentors can spend their time doing what they do best—teaching and guiding trainees.”
The Difference Between Commercial Training Programs and Creating Personalized, Studio-Specific Certifications
Commercial Pilates training programs often cater to large groups and follow a standardized curriculum, which may not align with the unique needs or style of an individual studio. In contrast, offering in-house training allows studio owners to develop teachers who are fully immersed in their specific approach to Pilates.
Mara notes that creating personalized, studio-specific certifications ensures teachers embody the values and teaching philosophy of the studio. “When you train your own instructors, you’re in control of the entire process,” she explains. This means the teachers are more aligned with the studio’s goals, resulting in a more cohesive client experience. In-house training also gives studio owners the freedom to customize the program based on the specific needs of their clients, ensuring high-quality instruction that aligns with the studio’s mission.
How to Set the Price for a Pilates Teacher Training Program
Setting the right price for your teacher training program is important to ensure it’s both fair and profitable. Mara recommends pricing the program based on the number of private lessons, group classes, and other services trainees will receive, multiplied by your studio’s hourly rate. “It’s a straightforward formula,” she says. “You calculate the value of the training and offer payment plans if needed.”
The price should also reflect the level of individualized support that trainees will receive. “The more one-on-one support they get, the more the training should cost,” Mara explains. “But it’s essential not to undervalue your time or the quality of the education you’re providing.”
The Benefits of Adding a Teacher Training Program to Your Studio
One of the biggest benefits of in-house training is the consistency it creates within your studio. By training instructors directly, you ensure they align with your studio’s teaching style and philosophy. This consistency is key to delivering a seamless experience for clients.
“In small towns, especially, it’s hard to find qualified instructors,” Mara says. “In-house training fills that gap.” Having a pool of qualified teachers at your studio helps alleviate the workload on existing instructors and allows your studio to expand its offerings.
“Studio owners tell me they’re burned out from teaching too many classes,” Mara adds. “Training new teachers in-house gives them the support they need and helps grow the studio.”
What Qualifications Are Needed to Start a Pilates Teacher Training Program?
If you want to start your own Pilates teacher training program, you’ll need to be comprehensively certified and have significant teaching experience. Mara recommends at least 10 years of teaching experience to develop the depth of knowledge required to mentor trainees. “You learn so much through teaching over the years,” she says. “I think 10 years is a good benchmark for feeling confident in leading a program.”
Why Being a Pilates Professional Is So Rewarding
At its core, being a Pilates professional is about helping people feel better and move more freely. “The most rewarding part is hearing clients tell you how Pilates has changed their lives,” Mara says. “They’ll say they can bend down without pain, climb stairs easily, or move without discomfort—and that’s what makes this job so fulfilling.”
Pilates instructors work with clients from all walks of life, including those with injuries or limited mobility. The ability to help anyone, regardless of their physical condition, is incredibly rewarding. “Pilates has a certain magic—it works for everyone, no matter where they are in their journey,” Mara explains.