A Pilates-based program, as with many other club programs, will most likely succeed or fail based on its instructors. Enthusiasm, hands-on training and varied experience are key factors to keep in mind when you’re searching for an instructor.
It is not critical for instructors to be intimately familiar with the commercial club environment. Although you should invite your existing group exercise instructors and personal trainers to learn about Pilates-based exercise, many of the people who earn these certifications come from the world of yoga, dance and physical therapy. Many Pilates instructors may, in fact, come with a fine arts background in dance or movement rather than a degree in physical education.
Whether you hire an outside instructor or pay for someone at your facility to complete the training depends on your expected demand. If members have been flooding you with requests after reading about celebrities using Pilates-based exercise or seeing it demonstrated on TV, you’ll probably have a large enough base of support to make training and certifying at least one of your current employees worthwhile; if you haven’t had many requests and are just interested in measuring member interest, consider hiring an instructor to teach an introductory course twice a week. Don’t be shocked at the price, though; certified freelance instructors can cost a bit more than other trainers due to the lengthy training program they are required to complete, often at their own expense, combined with the demands on their time.
That said, another factor to consider when you’re deciding whether to hire from the outside or to train someone on your staff is the length and cost of the certification program. Certification courses can take anywhere from 15 to 800 hours, depending on the level of certification, the program (mat- or equipment-based) and the instructor’s educational background. Programs that require prior certification as a personal trainer and completion of a college-level anatomy course before admission are more intensive, yet may be completed more quickly. Other programs cover these prerequisites and can be considerably longer. Some Pilates-based companies offer programs at different locations and can even offer on-site training at your facility.
There are many different certification courses, and it is important to find out how much training each one offers before deciding on one. Some of the very short courses may offer certification but do not equip instructors to deal with an increasingly varied clientele. Also, some certifying organizations have incorporated modern principles of rehabilitation and exercise science into Pilates’ original repertoire, making it safer, more effective and adaptable. Others have not.
The depth of this training and the value it offers your club members create opportunities for premium pricing. Many clubs, in fact, offer Pilates-based programming as a separate fee-based program in addition to monthly membership dues.