Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is it different?

To sum it up in two words: CLIENT RETENTION.
1. The Pilates Academy International produces instructors who are COMPETENT and CONFIDENT
2. After building a successful Pilates Studio in the heart of Manhattan from the ground up, the creators of The Pilates Academy International quickly learned that a strong knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and the Pilates repertoire is not enough. Potential instructors must acquire the teaching and motivational skills essential to retaining the clients Pilates exercises are designed to help. Without both, a competent and confident instructor cannot be created. The Pilates Academy International focuses on these skills in addition to the anatomical and exercise knowledge.
Course content differences
1. In addition to detailed focus placed on the proper mechanical execution and "ideal form" of the exercise, an equal amount of time is placed on designing workouts for the variety of populations instructors will see as Pilates instructors.
2. The course structure augments the emphasis on workout design by teaching how the first tier exercises can be used as tools to analyze and assess the client's ability and needs quickly and accurately so that the new instructor can design a safe and effective workout without having to do a static posture analysis.
3. Additionally, each course also emphasizes client motivation. We will teach you the art of targeted question asking and evaluating feedback so that you engage your client in an exciting dialogue that makes him/her motivated and invested in his/her own progress.
4. The new program focuses on how to progress clients for optimal results. We've all had clients who lack sufficient core strength to try the more challenging exercises, and yet they need to feel challenged. We will spend time teaching you how to increase the intensity of exercises without raising the difficulty to an unsafe level.
5. The manuals
  1. 85-90% of the exercises are the same, but then again they are predominantly the same across certification systems, as every system works off of Joseph Pilates' original exercises. We HAVE, however, changed the following:
    1. Added new exercises
    2. Changed the levels and orders to facilitate more effective teaching of various populations
    3. Created (patented) workout templates for students to follow
    4. Special Progamming course
    5. New pre-course, "Anatomy, Biomechanics and Posture Analysis", teaching you the essentials of "body physics"
    6. New sports-specific CEC workshops
  2. The courses are structured so that students are encouraged as early in their certification as possible to learn about common injuries and special conditions/needs of your clients.
  3. Full mat certification will be attained once a student has taken All Populations Mat AND Mat Progressions/Challenge. Special Conditions: Foundations and Mat is a graduate level course. Courses on each piece of equipment are structured in a similar way.
  4. Bottom line: The Pilates Academy International will improve your client retention rate.

2. What is crossing over, what is the cost, and how do I do it?

"Crossing over" is a means by which former and current students from other certification systems can convert their coursework to apply to PAI (Pilates Academy International) certification.
What is the cost of "Crossing Over"?
- Mat or Reformer Crossover
- Mat and Reformer Crossover
- Mat, Reformer & CCB all together

Instructor Certification

Download our complete course schedule for
2008 Weekend Courses
2008 Weekday Courses
Additional Savings!
PAI Application

Questions about Training and Certification?

Please call 212-687-3787 or email training@pilatesonfifth.com.

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Workshops

We offer an array of workshops designed to expand your knowledge and give you new insight to keeping variety as an integral part of your clients' programming.