
Group Equipment Teacher Training
The 300-Hour Group Equipment Teacher Education seminars at Thrive Pilates in Rockport Village teach a wide range of Pilates exercises on the Reformer, Cadillac/Wall Tower, Mat, Magic Circle, Hand Weights, and Joe’s Wall exercises. The program includes three weekend seminars (Friday evening, full-day Saturday, and full-day Sunday) followed by a final exam. These seminars focus on the core principles of Pilates, also known as Contrology, which blends mental and physical conditioning.
Topics Covered in Group Equipment Training:
Purpose of Exercises: Understand Joe Pilates’s original purpose for each exercise to guide clients through more effective sessions.
Exercise and Teaching Techniques: Learn how to teach Pilates on the Reformer, Cadillac/Tower, Mat and with accessories like the Magic Circle and Hand Weights.
Safety and Spotting: Master safety and spotting techniques on the Reformer and Cadillac.
Working with Different Clients: Learn how to assess and meet the needs of various clients.
Reading Clients’ Bodies: Develop skills to observe and adjust clients’ movements for better practice.
Anatomy Basics: Gain basic anatomy knowledge for understanding Pilates movements.
Voice, Touch, and Imagery: Learn how to use verbal cues, hands-on adjustments, and visual imagery to guide clients.
Programming for Group Classes: Learn how to structure effective group classes for the Reformer, Cadillac/Tower, and Mat.
Progression: Understand how and when to progress clients in their Pilates practice.
Client Needs: Learn how to select the right exercises to help clients heal, gain strength, and progress.
Working with Injuries and Special Populations: Learn how Pilates can be adapted for clients with injuries or special needs, as well as elite athletes.
Additional Topics: Explore other aspects of Traditional Pilates, including its history, philosophy, and spirit.
These seminars will prepare you to teach Pilates safely and effectively to clients of all levels and abilities.
Tuition and Enrollment
Group Equipment Pilates
Tuition: $3500 (includes seminars and apprentice hours, manual, final examination, access to 360Pilates.com). A deposit of 50% is due upon acceptance to reserve space in the program.
2 Mandatory private lessons: these rates are discounted to apprentices and are not included in tuition. Lessons can be paid for over the course of the apprenticeship.
A Deposit of 50% of tuition is due upon acceptance to reserve your place in the program. The balance of tuition must be paid by the beginning of the first seminar weekend (June 20th).
Early Bird Pricing - $500 off if registered by May 15
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Early Bird Pricing - $500 off if registered by May 15 〰️
Apprenticeship
Each educational weekend seminar is followed by a period of apprenticeship.
The Group Equipment Pilates Education program has 300 apprenticeship hours made up of observation, individual training (including private lessons with approved instructors), and practice teaching. 150 of the apprenticeship hours must be completed between the first and third seminar weekends. Students will be required to log their apprenticeship hours and attend apprenticeship meetings.
It is recommended that students spend an average of four hours per day, three days per week, on observation, practice teaching, and personal practice. As part of their personal practice, apprentices are required to complete 2 private lessons by the completion of the program with Danielle or another approved teacher. The entire program must be completed within 9 months.
Required Resources:
Pilates, Joseph, A Pilates’ Primer : The Millennium Edition
Christina Maria Gadar. Pilates An Interactive Workbook: If You're Going To Do It, Do It Right
Recommended Resources
Pilatesology (www.pilatesology.com)
Siler, Brooke. The Pilates Body Kit (DVD) - can be checked out from studio
Siler, Brooke. The Pilates Body (2000) - can be checked out from studio
2025 Seminar Dates
Seminar 1: June 20-22
Seminar 2: August 22-24
Seminar 3: November TBD
Evaluation
150 hour evaluation: Demonstrate a firm grasp of the material taught in the first two seminar weekends with a short written test, and teaching a fellow apprentice or studio employee.
300 hour evaluation: Demonstrate a firm grasp of the program by teaching a beginning student in a private lesson setting, teach part of an experienced beginner/intermediate group class, and write a test consisting of short essay questions.