Pilates Comprehensive Instructor training

The Hearts and Bones Pilates Comprehensive Instructor course trains you to teach classes using the complete Pilates repertoire. You can do the full training or complete individual modules to extend your teaching skills.​

About the Equipment Instructor course

The Hearts and Bones Pilates Comprehensive Instructor course trains you to teach classes using the complete Pilates repertoire. Discover how to use the mat, Reformer, Trapeze Table (Cadillac), Wunda Chair, and small apparatus to create well-structured workouts that suit different clients’ needs.


Subjects covered

Subjects covered include:

  • teaching beginner to advanced level Pilates exercises with modifications and variations
  • assessing and addressing postural, muscle strength, and flexibility imbalances using mat and equipment based Pilates exercises
  • using best practice for teaching and structuring classes
  • cueing and language use for clients of differing ability
  • safe teaching for older adults, pre- and post-natal women, and clients with the most commonly seen back, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, neck, and shoulder conditions.

The course (and modules) also provides comprehensive, fully illustrated manuals.


Training options

Hearts and Bones Pilates Comprehensive Instructor training offers you the choice of studying individual modules to extend your teaching skills or completing the entire course and qualifying as a Comprehensive Instructor.​​

Course outline

To become a fully qualified Hearts and Bones Pilates Comprehensive Instructor, students must complete the course content outlined in the table below. You must also do some required reading.

Visit the Course content description page to find out more about the content below.


Total hours to complete standard course: 466 hours

  • ​Introduction to Anatomy

    (Exemptions may apply) 


    Learning Method: Self-study

    Hours: 20-30

    Requirements to qualify: Study; pass written examination

  • ​Essentially Pilates Movement and Teaching Principles

    Learning Method: Self-study and class

    Hours: 20-30

    Requirements to qualify: Online self-study; attend 6 hours of class; pass written examination; practical experience.

  • Mat 1

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 18

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • Mat 2

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 18

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • Reformer 1

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 18

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • Reformer 2

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 18

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • Reformer 3

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 18

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • Cadillac

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 12

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • ​Wunda Chair

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 12

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • ​Barrels

    Learning Method: Class

    Hours: 12

    Requirements to qualify: Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience

  • ​Practical experience

    Learning Method: Observing classes

    Hours: 92

    Requirements to qualify: Proof of hours

  • ​Practical experience

    Learning Method: Practising

    Hours: 100 (16 supervised, 84 unsupervised)

    Requirements to qualify: Proof of hours

  • Practical experience

    Learning Method: Teaching

    Hours: 108 (54 supervised, 54 unsupervised

    Requirements to qualify: Proof of hours

  • Final examination

    Learning Method: ​Exam

    Hours: 

    Requirements to qualify: Pass written and practical tests

Required reading

  • Teach Pilates with Confidence by Tania Huddart
  • Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph H. Pilates and William John Miller
  • Your Health. A corrective system of exercising that revolutionises the entire field of physical education by Joseph H. Pilates
  • Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais Germaine


Practical assessments during the programme

We assess your exercise performance and movement teaching ability during the contact course components of each module. This ensures that you're able to make appropriate corrections, communicate well with clients, and use best-practice teaching tools as required to graduate from the programme.


Professionalism topics

You'll also learn as part of your Pilates Mat Instructor training:

  • scope of practice and code of ethics
  • Pilates philosophy and history
  • exercise analysis
  • programme design
  • teaching techniques
  • movement science
  • anatomy and kinesiology
  • special considerations such as pregnancy and osteoporosis, and some precautions and contraindications to movements
  • Pilates engages touch for cueing and adjustment purposes. The programme will require some level of touch, but sensitivity is respected.
  • Upon completion of the programme you will receive a certificate of completion. This does not guarantee employment or certification.


Register now for training

Training timetable and registration gives our training dates, and how and when to register.
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We look forward to having you on our Comprehensive Instructor training.


Any questions?

Contact us if you have any questions or need more information about our ComprehensiveInstructor training.

Book training now
I particularly appreciated the critique and observation feedback you gave us about our teaching. It was excellent." -
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