Pilates Mat Instructor training

Earn a Pilates teaching qualification with us. Hearts and Bones Pilates offer 4 standard Pilates teacher/instructor training options:

  • Mat Instructor — teach individual and group mat classes using beginner to advanced mat exercises as well as small apparatus pieces.
  • Reformer Instructor — teach individual and duo Reformer classes.
  • Equipment Instructor — teach Pilates classes using the Reformer, Trapeze Table (Cadillac), and Wunda Chair, and Barrels.
  • Comprehensive Instructor — teach the complete Pilates repertoire — mat, Reformer, Trapeze Table (Cadillac), Wunda Chair, Barrels, and small apparatus.


Prerequisites and what you need to qualify

About the Mat Instructor course

The Hearts and Bones Pilates Mat Instructor course teaches the beginner to advanced mat exercises, some of which we modify to suit the needs of today’s Pilates classes. Our course also teaches you how to use small equipment pieces so your classes appeal to a wide variety of clients.


Subjects covered

Subjects covered include:

  • teaching beginner to advanced mat exercises and the use of small pieces of equipment
  • 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 and an online exercise encyclopedia.

Course outline

​To become a fully qualified Hearts and Bones Pilates Mat 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: 151 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

  • ​Practical experience

    Learning Method: Observing classes

    Hours: 15

    Requirements to qualify: Proof of hours

  • ​Practical experience

    Learning Method: Practising

    Hours: 20 (5 supervised, 15 unsupervised)

    Requirements to qualify: Proof of hours

  • Practical experience

    Learning Method: Teaching

    Hours: 40 (20 supervised, 20 unsupervised)

    Requirements to qualify: Proof of hours

  • Final examination

    Learning Method: ​Exam

    Hours: 2

    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. Your teaching ability is honed during the 3-day supervised teaching weekend.


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 Reformer Instructor training.


Any questions?

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

Book training now
Tania is approachable, friendly, welcoming, and respectful. I love the way she uses examples from sports, clients, and life and applies knowledge to individual needs. I especially appreciated the use of the skeleton to help me with anatomical understanding and gained new insight into the use of tactile, verbal, and imagery cues. "
- Rachel
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