COURSE CONCEPTS
In the Mat Training Program, trainees will learn…
- The history & philosophy of Pilates
- Musculoskeletal anatomy and kinesiology
- How to teach the comprehensive Pilates mat repertoire
- Postural analysis and practical applications
- Modifications for injuries & special populations
- Skills and tools for teaching group fitness classes and private sessions
- How to program workouts to progress your class participants
LEARN MORE AT OUR VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
MOVE Wellness and the University of Michigan Rec Sports Teams hopped on Zoom this fall to discuss the Mat Training program. In this virtual open house you’ll learn all the of the program details and requirements, plus hear answers to commonly asked questions.
MAT PROGRAM SCHEDULE
2025
January 17 & 18
February 14 & 15 | February 21 & 22
March 14 & 15 | March 21 & 22
Exam: April 12th
Course Times
Fridays 3 – 8pm | Saturdays 9:15am – 5:15pm
Course Location
North Campus Rec Building
2375 Hubbard Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
READY TO APPLY?
Choose ONE of the following two options:
- Apply through University of Michigan Rec Sports if you are interested in becoming an on-site fitness instructor for the University.
- Apply through MOVE if you are interested in participating in the program but are not interested in working at Rec Sports.
After you fill out your application, someone from the MOVE or Rec Sports Team will reach out to you via email.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can participate in the University of Michigan Mat Program?
The program is only open to University of Michigan students and faculty members.
If that’s you — great, we can’t wait to meet you! Pilates trainers can be any age, gender, body size, or body type. Some trainers have backgrounds in dance, gymnastics, and other athletics. Some trainers had no prior connection to sports or movement systems before discovering Pilates. Anyone interested in pursuing professional training and work as a Pilates instructor should be self-motivated, enthusiastic about Pilates as a movement system, and committed to obtaining professional certification and building their career.
What happens after I finish my Pilates Instructor Training?
After you have completed the Mat Training Program and taken your exam, you should plan to prepare for the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) exam. This third-party exam will officially certify you as a mat Pilates instructor.
The MOVE Mat Training Program at U of M is specifically designed to give you all the tools, skill, and information you need to sit for and pass this exam.
Do you offer tuition assistance?
Payment Plans: We offer two payment plan where you can pay for your training over time in monthly installments, making a total of three or five installments.
Tuition assistance is available through Rec Sports. If you are interested in becoming an instructor at Rec Sports, you may be eligible for tuition assistance. Your first step is to apply here. Please note you must be able to teach for a minimum of one year at Rec Sports to be eligible.
I have a physical condition that limits my ability to do certain exercises. Can I still participate in the program?
Absolutely. While you are required to learn and understand the full version of each exercise, you are not required to physically execute everything in order to learn and teach it. Many program participants modify certain exercises as they are learning in order to accommodate their own bodies just as they would do with their own clients, which is one of the many beautiful aspects of this movement system. That being said, the program is physically rigorous and it will be helpful to build your strength and stamina in the weeks and months before beginning the program.
After I complete the Mat Training Program, will I be certified to teach Pilates?
At the end of the program and after your exam, you will be issued a certificate of completion. It is still highly encouraged that you sit for the National Pilates Certification Program (NPCP) exam. It is recommended to take the NPCP exam within six months of completing your program so all of the course material is fresh in your memory.
When and how can I start teaching Pilates?
Some gyms and fitness studios will hire instructors-in-training as long as they are on track to finish and plan on completing a program. After you have your certificate of completion, you will be able to apply to gyms and movement studios.
Will I need to take any more coursework or complete more training after my initial certification?
Pilates instructors should expect to enroll regularly in continuing education courses. Further developing your overall knowledge base and expertise, as well as developing additional areas of specialization will allow you to better serve your clients, broaden your client base, and increase the amount of money you can make over time.
Most instructors take at least one course ever 1-2 years. Courses can be as short as a one-day or weekend workshop, while others might take place over the course of a week or two.