What are the Pilates ‘levels? (2024)

FAQs

How many levels are there in Pilates? ›

As part of your teacher training program you might or might not have divided the Pilates repertoire into beginner, intermediate, and advanced level exercises. Grouping exercises into these categories can be helpful for new teachers.

Pilates Level 2:

For those of you who have done at least one or more terms of Level 1. The exercises start to get harder and the pace is a little faster than level 1. We expect you to understand the fundamentals of Pilates and to keep building on these.

In essence, you can move to the next level of each Pilates exercise when you can successfully perform the current level with immaculate technique and have been doing so for a number of weeks or months, depending on the level and exercise.

Intermediate level classes are for those who have a solid understanding of how to complete the exercises and transitions on their machines. Being able to stay in alignment through your workout and knowing how to change the springs on your equipment helps you advance to the next level of classes.

A Level 4 certificate represents the highest level of achievement within the health and fitness industry. It demonstrates that you have the advanced knowledge and skills to teach Pilates across a very broad spectrum of clients, including special population groups.

Qualification OVERVIEW

Our Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates course includes everything you need to become an industry recognised Pilates Instructor. No previous experience is required, just an aptitude to want to learn and turn your passion of health, fitness and nutrition into a rewarding career.

The boomerang is considered one of the hardest Pilates exercises, as it requires every muscle in your body to do. How to do it: Sit tall on your mat, legs in front of you, ankles crossed, and hands by your sides. Scoop your belly and round back, lowering yourself onto your mat one vertebra at a time.

To quote Joseph Pilates: “In 10 sessions you will feel better, in 20 you will look better, and in 30 you will have a whole new body.” If you are doing 2-3 classes a week, you should start to see results in 10-12 weeks. If you attend one class a week, you will still see results but it might take longer.

As Pilates is a low-impact exercise that takes the pressure away from joints and tendons, it is a milder yet effective way to activate and heal injured muscles. This is why, for injury rehabilitation, Pilates is better than weight training.

You begin to put the movements or notes together in ways that make them more challenging. You may learn to execute more turns or hold notes longer but the fundamentals remain the same, therefore the process doesn't get easier you just get better.

How do you know if you are doing Pilates correctly? ›

Practice Regularly: my online mat classes here and Pilates Anytime are amazing resources for maintaining your Pilates practice. One way to know if you're doing Pilates correctly is to keep doing it. If the beginning exercises get tougher then you are on the right track.

The "3-2-1 method" is a weekly workout routine that calls for three days of strength training, two days of Pilates, and one day of cardio or conditioning. This combination is supposed to help deliver consistent, impressive results.

A Pilates body is lean and elongated, while a gym body is often muscular and even bulkier. Pilates builds strength and flexibility through controlled movements targeting specific muscle groups. This creates a toned and elongated appearance.

Advanced level uses the Stability learned in Foundational Level and the Space or Openess created in the Intermediate level and challenges it all to move with control. The more space the mind can create in the body, the more control is needed to move safely. The more control, the more potential for dynamic movement.

The boomerang is considered one of the hardest Pilates exercises, as it requires every muscle in your body to do. How to do it: Sit tall on your mat, legs in front of you, ankles crossed, and hands by your sides. Scoop your belly and round back, lowering yourself onto your mat one vertebra at a time.

Reformer Pilates, as suggested, uses the Pilates reformer machine. It is arguably more intense and dynamic than a mat Pilates class as the machine is designed to add resistance to each of the Pilates exercises.