By using this site you consent to the storing of cookies on your device to improve your experience, personalize content, optimize your shopping experience and assist in our marketing efforts. View our cookie policy

STOTT PILATES

Comprehensive Program

Overview

The STOTT PILATES® Comprehensive Program (Level 1) teaches the STOTT PILATES Principles and Essential and Intermediate exercises in a timeframe that allows you to assimilate and apply the material at a slower pace. This “ground up” approach is intended for those with no prior teaching experience and little or no training in functional anatomy or movement as well as limited exposure to Pilates.

Comprehensive Program choices

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to teach the STOTT PILATES method of exercise. Upon passing the exam, they will be recognized as a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor. Only upon the receipt of their certificate will they be entitled to identify themselves as a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor.

For those who are unable to devote the amount of time required of our Comprehensive Program due to work or scheduling issues we suggest the Intensive Program.

Our programs provide a balanced and thorough blend of theory, observation and practical experience to help you master the repertoire.

General course objectives
  • The What, How and Why of the STOTT PILATES Principles and how to apply them to all exercises
  • A complete breakdown of each exercise
  • Exercise goals, muscular initiation and movement sequencing
  • Modifications to increase or decrease exercise intensity
  • Modifications for specific body types and postural issues
  • How to recognize optimal and less than optimal movement patterns
  • A variety of programming options to keep clients motivated
  • Effective communication, verbal cues and imagery for performance enhancement and client motivation

Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer (CMR)

This course will teach functional anatomy, STOTT PILATES Principles and their application to the Level 1 Essential and Intermediate Matwork and Reformer repertoire. Typically courses are run full-time over a 12–15 week period then followed by an apprenticeship. Students learn to design, teach and modify Essential and Intermediate level classes, integrating small equipment to add variety and to meet the specific needs of your clients. You will leave with a solid foundation and required skills to develop effective and motivating Pilates matwork and Reformer programs.

Details
What you will learn
  • Functional anatomy (lecture/demonstration format)
  • Theory and practice of postural analysis
  • 185 exercises plus modifications for specific body types, postural issues and conditions
  • Workout composition for personal and group training
  • Use of Flex-Band® exerciser, Fitness Circle® resistance ring and Arc Barrel to enhance, support and intensify strength and flexibility exercises
  • Effective use of the Reformer to enhance torso stability and strength and for peripheral extremity conditioning, flexibility, joint stability, balance and coordination
  • Effective communication and observational skills
  • Verbal cueing and imagery for performance enhancement and client motivation
  • Essential, Intermediate, Power workouts
  • Exercise layering related to effective program design
Certification requirements
  • 30 hours functional anatomy
  • 90 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
  • minimum of 20 hours of observation
  • minimum of 70 hours of physical review
  • minimum of 40 hours of practice teaching
  • 60 hours apprenticeship performed upon completion
  • 310 hours total

Observation, practice teaching and physical review
A minimum number of hours of observation, practice teaching and physical review are required for all courses and should be completed between instructed sessions at any STOTT PILATES facility. Additional training may be required before certification. Practice teaching and physical review hours must be logged outside of class time.The practice logs must be submitted on your exam date (either written or practical exam). If the student fails to submit all the logs within 7 days from the last portion of the exam, the entire exam will be void.

Observation
Observation hours can be logged during relevant course homework or after a STOTT PILATES course and can be accrued by watching a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer teach clients (in-person or online), as well as observing the relevant course videos on DVD or through Merrithew Connect™. We recommend 50-80% of your hours be completed by watching a Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer. Please ensure you receive permission from the Merrithew Training Center and/or presenting Instructor well in advance.

Physical review
Physical Review hours means physically performing the exercises learned in class. Physical review of the material is very important to ensure full understanding within your own body first, before attempting to teach someone else. It is also very important to ensure your body is prepared for the increased challenge at each level of repertoire as you move through your STOTT PILATES Instructor Training. Taking a class with a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer or working out with relevant course videos on DVD or through Merrithew Connect can qualify as physical review hours, and can be completed individually or with other students.

Students can participate in an online Pilates session or join an online group Pilates class that teaches STOTT PILATES repertoire with a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer. Students can also attend a Merrithew Online Workshop (offered by Merrithew Training Centers worldwide or the Corporate Training Center).

Practice teaching
Practice Teaching hours can be fulfilled by teaching STOTT PILATES course repertoire to family, fellow students, friends or clients, cueing and correcting them through a workout. Practice Teaching can be done in-person or by using a video conferencing program, such as Skype or Zoom.

Note
  • There are no hours required for Injuries & Special Populations or Advanced Level courses
  • Students may be required to complete some or all of the observation, practice teaching and physical review hours at the training center where the Comprehensive Program is offered
  • Contact the training center you plan to do the Comprehensive Program at for more information

The goal of the STOTT PILATES Comprehensive Apprentice Program is to provide students with the necessary practical experience to gain new knowledge, skills, and behaviours so they can improve their competency and prepare to take their exams to become STOTT PILATES Certified Instructors. This Program may take up to 6 months to complete.

During their apprenticeship, which must be completed at the CTC, students apply the STOTT PILATES method taught in courses in a real world setting. Students will not only be teaching Studio Clients, but also Merrithew Staff, other Merrithew Students, and Friends & Family. The specific goals of a STOTT PILATES Apprenticeship Program includes:

  1. Developing Teaching skills
  2. Developing Observation and Correction skills
  3. Developing Program Design skills
  4. Assessment and Progress Tracking
  5. Understanding Client Interactions
  6. Business Skills
Continuing education credits (CECs)
  • 12.0 STOTT PILATES
Required materials
Education materials
  1. Matwork & Reformer Support Materials Book
  2. Comprehensive Matwork Manual
  3. Matwork videos
  4. Essential Reformer Manual 2nd Ed.
  5. Intermediate Reformer Manual 2nd Ed.
  6. Reformer videos

*Course Packages are also available

Additional languages
A number of required resources are available in languages other than English. See available resources

Optional resources
These resources are not available through Merrithew, however you may want to purchase these as additional resources for your practice.

  • Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel
  • Anatomy Flash Cards, Anne Gilroy
  • Atlas of Anatomy, Gilroy, MacPherson, Ross
  • Anatomy of Movement, Blandine Germain
  • Trail Guide to the Body 6th Edition Flash Cards by Andrew Biel
  • AnatomyMapp® by Books of Discovery

Equipment required (provided by the facility)

  • 1 per Reformer
    Reformer Box; Padded Platform Extender; pair Long Spine Straps (included with V2 Max Plus™ Reformer and not required with Retractable Rope System); Foam Cushions A & C (Foam Cushion C may be replaced with Padded Platform Extender); Pilates Pad; Mini Stability Ball™; Maple Pole; pair Foam-Grip-Handles (included with V2 Max Plus™ Reformer)
  • 1 per student
    Mat; Flex-Band® exerciser; Fitness Circle® resistance ring
  • 1 per 2 students
    Foam Cushions A & C (in some cases, Foam Cushion C may be replaced with a Padded Platform Extender); Eco-Friendly Pilates Pad; Mini Stability Ball™; Maple Pole (highly recommended)
  • 1 per 3 students
    Arc Barrel, Reformer (V2 Max™; V2 Max Plus™, SPX™ or Rehab V2 Max)
  • Optional
    1 Spine Supporter

Comprehensive Cadillac, Chair & Barrels (CCCB)

This course prepares you to teach Level 1 Essential and Intermediate exercises on the Cadillac Trapeze Table, Stability Chair™, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and Arc Barrel. Typically, courses are run full-time over a 8 week period then followed by an apprenticeship. Upon completion students will be able to fine-tune both personal and circuit training programs to meet general fitness and athletic conditioning goals for a range of clients. Students registering for this course must have completed Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer or Intensive Mat-Plus or Intensive Reformer.

Details
What you will learn
  • Effective use of the equipment to enhance torso stability and strength, peripheral extremity conditioning, joint stability, flexibility, balance and coordination
  • How to develop dynamic programs in a full studio environment
  • Effective communication and observational skills
  • Verbal cueing and imagery for performance enhancement and client motivation
  • Modifications for specific body types, postural issues and conditions
  • Exercise layering related to effective program design
  • 295 exercises plus multiple modifications
Prerequisite
  • Completion of CMR or IMP or IR
Certification requirements
  • 50 hours of instruction and supervised teaching
  • minimum of 20 hours of observation
  • minimum of 35 hours of physical review
  • minimum of 25 hours of practice teaching
  • 40 hours apprenticeship performed upon completion
  • 165 hours total

Observation, practice teaching and physical review
A minimum number of hours of observation, practice teaching and physical review are required for all courses and should be completed between instructed sessions at any STOTT PILATES facility. Additional training may be required before certification. Practice teaching and physical review hours must be logged outside of class time. The practice logs must be submitted on your exam date (either written or practical exam). If the student fails to submit all the logs within 7 days from the last portion of the exam, the entire exam will be void.

Observation
Observation hours can be logged during relevant course homework or after a STOTT PILATES course and can be accrued by watching a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer teach clients (in-person or online), as well as observing the relevant course videos on DVD or through Merrithew Connect™. We recommend 50-80% of your hours be completed by watching a Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer. Please ensure you receive permission from the Merrithew Training Center and/or presenting Instructor well in advance.

Physical review
Physical Review hours means physically performing the exercises learned in class. Physical review of the material is very important to ensure full understanding within your own body first, before attempting to teach someone else. It is also very important to ensure your body is prepared for the increased challenge at each level of repertoire as you move through your STOTT PILATES Instructor Training. Taking a class with a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer or working out with relevant course videos on DVD or through Merrithew Connect can qualify as physical review hours, and can be completed individually or with other students.

Students can participate in an online Pilates session or join an online group Pilates class that teaches STOTT PILATES repertoire with a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor/Instructor Trainer. Students can also attend a Merrithew Online Workshop (offered by Merrithew Training Centers worldwide or the Corporate Training Center).

Practice teaching
Practice Teaching hours can be fulfilled by teaching STOTT PILATES course repertoire to family, fellow students, friends or clients, cueing and correcting them through a workout. Practice Teaching can be done in-person or by using a video conferencing program, such as Skype or Zoom.

Note
  • There are no hours required for Injuries & Special Populations or Advanced Level courses
  • Students may be required to complete some or all of the observation, practice teaching and physical review hours at the training center where the Comprehensive Program is offered
  • Contact the training center you plan to do your course with directly for more information
Continuing education credits (CECs)
  • 5.0 STOTT PILATES
Required materials
Education materials

CCB Course Packages are available:

Manuals Videos Equipment required (provided by the facility)
  • 1 per 6 students
    Cadillac
    OR
    1 per 12 students
    Cadillac and Reformer with Traditional or Plus-style Vertical Frame (including Mat Converter)
PLUS
  • 1 per student
    Mat (optional 1:2)
  • 1 per 4 students
    Spine Corrector 1 per 3 students: Split-Pedal Stability Chair™; Arc Barrel; Padded Platform Extender; Reformer Box; Eco-Friendly Pilates Pad; Foam Cushions A & C; Mini Stability Ball™
  • 1 per 6 students
    Ladder Barrel; pair Rotational Disks (10" or 12"); Maple Pole

Admissions

For many people the decision to become a professional Pilates instructor comes from the need to start a new career, a passion for fitness, or a desire to supplement their income. Before signing up for teacher training, be sure your personal Pilates practice and your foundational knowledge of the work are both solid. Knowing Pilates in your own body will not only give you an appreciation of the method, it will also help you teach it to your clients. Take Pilates classes at your gym or find a studio and watch Pilates DVDs. In other words, do whatever you can to familiarize yourself more fully with the work.

Admission requirements
We’re looking for self-directed and highly motivated people with strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the following:

  • Some training in dance, fitness or movement
  • Minimum 30 hours participation in Pilates classes/workouts

How to apply

See our training finder for contact information and admission procedures at a location near you.

Exams

See all exam FAQs

Fees

See reference price lists below from our Toronto Corporate Training Center for courses and exams.

Note
  • Prices listed are for the Toronto Corporate Training Center and are provided as a reference. Prices will vary depending on region and location. Contact individual training centers for up-to-date pricing information and to inquire about any packages or discounts that may be available
  • Purchase your course materials as course packages and save up to 30%

Policies and procedures

See general policies and procedures. Refer to the specific course and facility policies when registering for instructor training.