ANN’S TIPS FOR FINDING A SAFE
& EFFECTIVE PILATES CLASS
If you want to experience the effects of Pilates on your body the first thing to do is find a good teacher.
Many people accessing this website will not be able to get to my classes - so I would like to give you some tips to help you find a good class. Please beware there are many teachers out there who are not sufficiently qualified and they could do your body more harm than good!

NATIONAL STANDARD FOR PILATES TEACHERS
There is now a national standard in place to ensure the quality of Pilates teachers.

The goal of this standard is to ensure that a teacher has the knowledge and skills to teach classes in a safe, enjoyable and effective way.

All Body Control Pilates teachers are classified at level 3 (the highest level).

The standard came into effect in August 2005 - it will increasingly become the benchmark for Pilates teaching. It will allow clients, therapists and patients to check teachers against a national register to ensure they are properly qualified. To check the national register visit www.exerciseregister.org.

TIPS FOR FINDING A SAFE
& EFFECTIVE PILATES CLASS

Ask the instructor (or club manager) if they are qualified and with whom. Check against the national register and/or ask for more information about the training body or website details.

Avoid large classes - Pilates cannot be taught effectively to large groups. A maximum of 12 people is recommended.

Ask if you can watch a class first, before you join in. Signs of a poor teacher are - if the class seems to be struggling to follow his/her instructions, a lack of individual correction, if the teacher seems keen to demonstrate their abilities rather than help clients. Also the teacher should have good posture and move well.

Screening - Instructors should ask any new participants about medical conditions or injuries before allowing them to join a class. Ideally, you should be asked to complete a Health Questionnaire, which will allow you to explain any problems more fully. In some cases the Instructor should follow this up and ask for more information or a referral letter from your GP or physio.