OPTIONS PILATES STUDIO

Coming soon to DUBAI

Pilates Instructor Course

Do you want to be a Pilates instructor?

We offer a comprehensive range of Pilates courses and certifications from Pilates Academy International, a globally recognized Pilates institution headquartered in New York. Our courses include 40-hour Matwork courses (All Populations Mat or APM), 50-hour Reformer courses (All Populations Reformer or APR), Full Studio courses (All Populations Cadillac, Chair and Barrels or APCCB), as well as a variety of workshops and courses for continuing education.

We are proud to have certified hundreds of Pilates instructors since 2007, and our graduates are now working in Singapore and throughout Asia. Many of our graduates have even established their own studios or become Master Trainers across Asia. As the largest and most reputable Pilates training center in Asia, OptionsPilates offers a wide variety of courses and workshops every year. In addition to Pilates training, we also offer courses related to Pilates to help instructors stay updated on the latest industry developments.

Which course do I take first?

In order to obtain certification in Pilates Academy International, it is necessary to begin with the Anatomy workshop, which is also known as Anatomy Biomechanics and Posture Analysis (ABP).

This workshop is required for all first-time participants in PAI courses. During this workshop, you will review the structures that form the foundation of the human body, such as bones, muscles, and joints. This will help you to prepare for the All Populations Mat (APM), Reformer (APR), and CCB courses.

Once you have completed the ABP workshop, we recommend taking the All Populations Mat (APM) course first, as this forms the basis for all other Pilates exercises. Alternatively, you may choose to take the All Populations Reformer (APR) course before APM.

Courses can be taken in the following order:

ABP → APM I → APR I → APCCB I APM II → APR II → APCCB II

 

How to register

To register your interest for courses, please fill the form at the bottom of this page.

We will send you an email once we have a fixed schedule.

Course requirements

To successfully complete our courses and receive certification, students are expected to meet the following requirements:

Attendance:

  • Attend all scheduled training hours.
  • In case of a conflict, notify the studio prior to the course and arrange for make-up hours with a certifying instructor at a rate of $200 per hour.
  • Please note that three missed group training hours may not necessarily translate to three make-up hours, as students often learn faster in a one-on-one setting.
  • The number of make-up hours required will be determined by the certifying instructor and PAI directors.
  • If a student misses more than 12 hours of a course, the course must be retaken.

Outside class requirements: (shown in table below)

Observation hours: Watch a class, private session, or videos from the PAI website (maximum 5 hours). Please note that attending a class is not considered as observation.

Practice teaching: Verbally practice teaching the exercises to another person.

Personal study hours: Study the exercises, including exercise design, modifications, breath patterns, muscles involved, etc. Taking classes can be considered personal study hours. These hours must be logged and completed before taking the certification test. The logs are to be turned in on the day of the test.

Course
Class
Practice Teaching
Observation
Personal Review
Total
Anatomy, Biomechanics & Posture Analysis
12
12
All Populations Mat I
40
25101590
All Populations Reformer I
50502030150
All Populations Cadillac I
2520101570
All Populations Chair I
1520101055
All Populations Barrel I
1064424
All Populations Mat II
555520
All Populations Reformer II
2010101050
All Populations Cadillac II
1055525
All Populations Chair II
1055525
All Populations Barrel II
522211

Prices

Certification Exam and Fees

To become certified, students must take the certification exam within one year of the last day of each course. If a student takes longer than a year, they must schedule a review hour with a certifying instructor to ensure they are on track with their studying and have not forgotten any information.

The certification exam for All Populations Level I courses consists of both a written and practical portion, while the exam for All Populations Level II courses includes only a practical portion. To pass the written portion, a minimum score of 80% is required. The practical portion is graded on a pass/fail basis. 

Mentorship Program

To be eligible to take the exam, students must complete all observation, practice teaching, and personal study hours. We highly recommend that students take advantage of our Mentorship Program, which provides access to our studio for practice teaching, group class observation, and attending group classes. The Mentorship Program is available for a monthly fee.

2025 Education Schedule

Education Schedule 2025
QUARTER 1
15 - 16 FebSAT - SUN12PM - 6PMAnatomy Bio-mechanics and Posture Analysis - 12 hrsYesScheduledMorven
17 Feb - 20 Feb
22 - 25 Feb
MON - THU
SAT-TUE
1PM - 6PMAll Populations Mat - 40 hrsYesScheduledMorven
26 FebWED1PM - 5PMPre/post natalYesScheduledMorven
QUARTER 2
6 - 9 MayTUE - FRI1PM - 6PMPre/Post RehabYesScheduledMorven
10 - 11 MaySAT - SUN12PM - 6PMAnatomy Bio-mechanics and Posture Analysis - 12 hrsYesScheduledMorven
13 - 17 May
19 - 21 May
TUE - SAT
MON - WED
1PM - 6PMAll Populations Mat - 40 hrsYesScheduledMorven

All Pilates Academy Courses at OptionsPilates include the relevant manuals in the course price.

If you're ready to sign up, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page or email us at [email protected]

Private Courses

If our regular term schedule doesn't work for you, we can help you arrange a private course with our master trainer that suits your availability.

Private courses are available for the following programs and come with the specified approximate classroom hours:

ABP: 11 hours
APM I: 30 - 32 hours
APR I: 40 hours
Cadillac I: 22 hours
Chair I: 10 hours
Barrels: 6 hours

Private courses can be arranged as 1-on-1 sessions or for a group that you arrange yourself. The actual number of classroom hours may vary depending on the number of participants in the group and how quickly the group progresses. If the group is larger or requires additional guidance from the master trainer, the classroom hours may be longer than estimated above.

If you're interested in private courses, please email us at [email protected].

 

Course Descriptions

ABP (Anatomy, Biomechanics & Posture)

*This is a compulsory course for anyone who wants to become a certified Pilates instructor. 
This course reviews the structures (bones, muscles, joints, etc.) that form the support of the human body. An emphasis will be placed on "ideal" posture and "ideal" biomechanics of each joint while helping students learn how to detect abnormalities both statically and dynamically. Open to all personal trainers, this course is invaluable in helping you provide lasting results for your clients and increase your marketability.
 

APM I

What makes great buildings?  Great foundations!  This course teaches the first three tiers of the Pilates Mat repertoire and how to modify exercises for all age groups and fitness levels.  Emphasis is placed on maintaining variety and providing small challenges while safely progressing a client in order to avoid monotony.  Students leave the course confident and capable of creating safe and effective workouts for today’s diverse client.  68 Exercises.
 

APR I

This course teaches students the Reformer exercises needed to be ready to customize workouts for all ages and fitness levels. Covering the first three tiers, Fundamental through Intermediate, All Populations Reformer also teaches the "physics" of the reformer so that students understand both the way the reformer operates and the safety concerns. Emphasis is placed on the differences between Pilates machine work versus regular gym equipment so that instructors are prepared to meet the needs of clients from all backgrounds.
 

APCCB I

This course must be preceded by the All Populations Mat course. Students will learn the first three tiers of exercises on the cadillac, chair, spine corrector and ladder barrel, and, more importantly, how to incorporate the barrel into a client's workout, and use it as a support or a challenge, depending on the exercise. Emphasis will be placed on the benefits of Cadillac exercises as stepping stones to more challenging exercises and utilizing chair and how to integrate this often under-used piece of equipment into clients' workout routines.
 

Advanced Courses

These courses teach the last two tiers of the full Pilates Mat, Reformer, CCB repertoires, a necessity for students pursuing full Pilates certification with the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). Each repoertoire (Mat, Reformer, CCB) are divided into separate courses.  Students learn how to assess when a client is ready to be challenged and then how to progress the client safely and effectively.
 

APM II: This course builds on the foundational exercises learned in APM I and teaches the more advanced Pilates Mat exercises. Students learn how to progress clients through the full Pilates Mat repertoire and how to modify exercises for clients with injuries or limitations. The course covers 42 additional exercises and also includes variations and modifications of the foundational exercises.

APR II: This course builds on the foundational exercises learned in APR I and teaches the more advanced Pilates Reformer exercises. Students learn how to progress clients through the full Pilates Reformer repertoire and how to modify exercises for clients with injuries or limitations. The course covers 70 additional exercises and also includes variations and modifications of the foundational exercises.

APCCB II: This course builds on the exercises learned in APCCB I and teaches the more advanced Pilates CCB exercises. Students learn how to progress clients through the full Pilates CCB repertoire and how to modify exercises for clients with injuries or limitations. The course covers 54 additional exercises and also includes variations and modifications of the foundational exercises.

Other Courses & Continuing Education

Pre and Post-Rehabilitative Pilates

Teaching injured or deconditioned clients requires a different approach to the session and a different mindset throughout the client’s attendance.  This course outlines the protocol for teaching post-rehabilitative clients, from the initial meeting and first session to ongoing sessions and a return to recreational activities.  Key concepts and definitions of injuries, post-rehabilitation and healing are covered. Students will be taught the benchmarks to hit before progressing a client to more challenging exercises and the importance of maintaining a dialogue with the client’s treating physician(s).  Anatomy is reviewed in terms of local stabilizers, global stabilizers and global mobilizers so that students both learn the terms used by physical therapists as well as understand how to safely progress these clients. Prerequisite: APM

Post-Rehabilitation: The Sacrum and Lumbar Spine

Subjected to forces from both the upper body, and lower body, the sacrum and lumbar spine are critical structures for maintaining healthy biomechanics of the entire body.  This course first reviews the anatomy of the lumbo-pelvic region in terms of local stabilizers, global stabilizers and global mobilizers.  Then, common injuries to the area along with suggested protocol for teaching are discussed.  Finally, exercises specific to post-rehabilitating the lumbo-pelvic region are reviewed or taught on all equipment.

  Prerequisite: APM, Foundations of Post-Rehabilitative Pilates

Post-Rehabilitation:  The Cervical Spine and Shoulder

Though separate structures, the neck and shoulder are closely linked biomechanically, and thus are considered together in this course.  Anatomy of the head, neck and shoulder is reviewed with special attention not only to the local stabilizers, global stabilizers and global mobilizers, but also to the muscles that cross the cervical spine and scapula and those that stabilize the shoulder joint.   Common injuries to the neck and shoulder are covered along with suggested protocol for insuring a safe Pilates’ experience.  Exercises on all equipment specific to post-rehabilitating the cervical spine and shoulder girdle are taught.

Prerequisite: APM, Foundations of Post-Rehabilitative Pilates

Post-Rehabilitation: Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot

Healthy biomechanics of the lower extremity are essential to everyone as bipedal human beings carrying on our daily activities!  For instance, gait abnormalities (problems with walking) due to any pain or injury in the hip, knee, ankle or foot may lead to even greater problems in the lumbo-pelvic region and spine.  Anatomy of the lower extremity is reviewed with regards to local stabilizers, global stabilizers and global mobilizers and common injuries to the lower extremity are discussed.  Most importantly, exercises for the hip, knee, ankle and foot are taught on all equipment with close attention to modifications that may be necessary.

Prerequisite: APM, Foundations of Post-Rehabilitative Pilates

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