FUNCTION PILATES
full comprehensive CERTIFICATION

Build Your Complete Pilates Teaching Toolkit.

Take your Pilates education beyond Mat and Reformer with comprehensive training across the Pilates apparatus.

The Function Pilates 450-Hour Full Comprehensive Teacher Certification combines live, in-person education with anatomy, Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, programming, hands-on practice, and real-world teaching experience.

You’ll learn how to work across the Pilates system, adapt movement for different clients, and build thoughtful sessions using the equipment and repertoire available to you.

450-hour certification | live in-person training

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is full comprehensive certification right for you?

Take your Pilates education beyond Mat + Reformer.

Full Comprehensive Certification is our most extensive teacher training pathway, designed for students who want a broader understanding of the Pilates method and the ability to teach across multiple pieces of apparatus.

This program may be right for you if you:

  • Want the most extensive Pilates education Function offers

  • Want to teach Mat, Reformer, and additional Pilates apparatus

  • Plan to pursue Pilates teaching as a career

  • Want greater versatility when working in equipment-based Pilates studios

  • Want more tools for adapting sessions to different bodies, goals, and abilities

  • Are interested in understanding how exercises translate across different apparatus

  • Want to build a larger repertoire for private and group programming

  • Learn best through live instruction, hands-on practice, and real-time feedback

No previous teaching experience is required.

You do not need to complete Mat or Mat + Reformer Certification before enrolling. Those foundations are built directly into the Full Comprehensive program.

what you’ll learn

Learn the method as a complete system.

Full Comprehensive training begins with the same foundations in anatomy, movement, Mat, and Reformer — then expands your education across the additional Pilates apparatus.

The goal isn’t simply to learn more exercises. It’s to develop a larger teaching toolkit and understand how to choose the right movement, equipment, progression, or modification for the client in front of you.

pilates foundations + principles

Explore the history and foundations of the Pilates method, essential terminology, and the principles that influence how Pilates movement is performed and taught.

FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY

Develop a practical understanding of anatomy as it relates to Pilates and movement, including:

  • The skeleton, joints, and muscles

  • Body planes and movements

  • Stabilizing muscles

  • The core

  • Pilates breathing

  • The spine

  • Neutral spine and pelvis

  • Posture and common posture types

  • Lower extremities

  • Upper extremities

MAT PILATES

Build your movement and teaching foundation through the Function Pilates Mat repertoire while learning exercise purpose, muscle focus, setup, execution, corrections, cues, and programming.

reformer

Develop extensive hands-on experience with the Reformer while learning equipment setup, safety, client positioning, exercise execution, cueing, modifications, progressions, and session programming.

chair

Expand your repertoire using the Pilates Chair, exploring exercises across footwork, abdominals, spinal articulation, full-body work, arms, legs, lateral flexion, rotation, and extension.

cadillac

Learn to work with the Cadillac and incorporate its repertoire into thoughtful programming across footwork, abdominal work, hips, spinal articulation, full-body exercises, arms, legs, rotation, lateral flexion, and extension.

ladder barrel + spine corrector

Explore additional apparatus designed to expand your options for movement, support, mobility, spinal work, and client-specific programming.

teaching skills

Practice the skills that turn your movement knowledge into effective instruction, including:

  • Clear and effective cueing

  • Observing client movement

  • Alignment and corrections

  • Exercise modifications

  • Progressions and regressions

  • Session flow

  • Client communication

  • Teaching different bodies

  • Developing your own teaching voice

comprehensive programming

Learn to think beyond a single piece of equipment.

You’ll develop the skills to select exercises and apparatus intentionally, build progressive sessions, create smooth transitions, modify movement, and make programming decisions based on the individual client.

what’s included

Hands-on education across the entire Pilates system.

Your in-person Full Comprehensive training combines education, movement, equipment practice, discussion, teaching, and real-time feedback across your complete curriculum.

LIVE IN-PERSON TRAINING

Learn directly from a Function Pilates Master Trainer through live instruction, demonstrations, movement practice, discussion, and hands-on teaching.

hands-on apparatus training

Learn by doing. Practice across Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, and Spine Corrector while exploring setup, execution, alignment, muscle focus, corrections, cues, and modifications.

guided teaching practice

Begin developing your teaching skills in the classroom through cueing practice, exercise instruction, partner work, and opportunities to lead fellow trainees.

comprehensive programming + sequencing

Learn how to build intentional sessions using the full range of equipment available to you rather than approaching each apparatus as a separate system.

small-group learning + community

Train alongside other future instructors, giving you opportunities to practice together, observe different bodies, exchange ideas, and learn through your cohort.

comprehensive training materials

Receive your printed Anatomy + Mat Manual, Reformer Manual, Full Comprehensive Manual, and Student Handbook to use throughout training and as ongoing resources throughout your certification journey.

equipment safety & education

Develop confidence working with Pilates equipment through hands-on education focused on proper setup, safety, client positioning, and effective use of each apparatus.

anatomy + movement education

Connect anatomy to the Pilates repertoire through live instruction, movement exploration, postural concepts, and practical application.

real-time corrections + feedback

Receive feedback while you move and teach so you can ask questions, make adjustments, and continue developing your skills in the moment.

ongoing certification support

Continue receiving guidance as you complete your observation, self-practice, student teaching, assignments, and final assessments.

program requirements

your 450-hour full comprehensive certification

in-person classroom training (120 hours)

Complete your required classroom education across anatomy, Mat, Reformer, comprehensive apparatus, programming, and teaching methodology.

Continue developing your personal Pilates practice using the equipment and material covered throughout your Full Comprehensive training.

self-practice (60 hours)

Full Comprehensive students complete additional program requirements including:

  • Client Intake Form

  • Mock Marketing Flyer

  • Studio Experience

  • Required hour logs

  • Student teacher insurance documentation

  • Special Populations Paper

required assignments

Observe certified instructors to study teaching styles, exercise sequencing, client interaction, safety, modifications, progressions, and verbal, visual, and tactile cueing.

observation (120 hours)

Gain real-world experience teaching private and group sessions while developing your confidence, programming, communication, and ability to work with different clients.

student teaching (150 hours)

Certification concludes with three assessments:

Written Exam — Evaluate your understanding of the material covered throughout training.

Practical Exam — Demonstrate your knowledge of the Mat repertoire.

Oral Exam — Demonstrate your ability to teach a complete 50-minute private session.

final assessments

support beyond the coursework

Your training continues long after your final classroom weekend.

Learning a comprehensive repertoire takes time, and becoming confident using it with real clients takes practice.

After your scheduled in-person training dates, you’ll continue developing your skills through observation, self-practice, student teaching, assignments, and final exam preparation.

Throughout that process, the Function Pilates Teacher Training team remains available as a resource.

Your Master Trainers are available for questions related to exercises, technique, and training content, while the Teacher Training Coordinator supports you with scheduling, requirements, forms, testing, and certification hours.

your investment

Invest in a more versatile Pilates education.

IN-PERSON full comprehensive TEACHER CERTIFICATION

$4,999

or 12 monthly payments of $479

Payment plans begin at the time of enrollment.

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payment plan
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frequently asked questions

  • No previous teaching experience is required. Full Comprehensive training begins with the foundational anatomy, Pilates principles, Mat, and teaching education you need before progressing through the equipment.

  • No. Mat and Reformer education are already included within the Full Comprehensive program, so you can enroll directly in this certification pathway.

  • Your training includes Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, and Spine Corrector education.

  • The current Function Pilates Full Comprehensive Certification requires 450 total hours of education and practical experience.

    Your hours are completed through a combination of in-person training, observation, self-practice, student teaching, and other required program components.

    • Classroom training: 120 hours

    • Observation hours: 120

    • Self-Practice hours: 60

    • Student Teaching hours: 150

  • Because your classroom training is an important part of certification, missed training must be made up through an approved option. Contact the Teacher Training Coordinator as soon as possible if you know you’ll need to miss a scheduled training date.

  • You can begin building your observation and self-practice experience during your training rather than waiting until all classroom sessions are complete.

  • Student teaching begins after you have completed the required Mat training and met the applicable student-teaching requirements, including obtaining student teacher insurance when required.

  • Not necessarily. Approved options are available for observation, self-practice, and student teaching outside of Function Pilates. Your Teacher Training resources explain which activities qualify and how they should be documented.

  • Yes. Because self-practice and student teaching are part of certification, you’ll need opportunities to continue working with the apparatus covered in your program outside of your scheduled classroom training.

  • Full Comprehensive students research a specific injury or condition and explore how Pilates can support that population, including the development of a sample beginner workout using the Progressive Flow.

  • Function Pilates also offers a separate Online Teacher Training pathway for students who need more flexibility or aren’t able to attend training in Tempe.

    Explore the certification options below to find the pathway that best fits your goals.

MAT CERTIFICATION

Build your foundation.

Learn anatomy, Pilates principles, the Mat repertoire, and the teaching skills needed to begin leading Mat Pilates sessions.

Best for: Those beginning their Pilates education, instructors who specifically want to teach Mat, and movement professionals looking to add Pilates to their existing skill set.

[EXPLORE MAT CERTIFICATION]

WHICH CERTIFICATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Choose the training pathway that matches your goals.

MAT + REFORMER CERTIFICATION

Expand your versatility.

Build on the Mat foundation while learning to safely and confidently teach on the Pilates Reformer.

Best for: Students who want to teach both Mat and Reformer and develop a broader Pilates teaching skill set.

[EXPLORE MAT + REFORMER]

FULL COMPREHENSIVE CERTIFICATION

Take your education further.

Train across Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector, and comprehensive Pilates programming.

Best for: Students seeking the broadest Function Pilates education and those who want to work confidently across multiple pieces of Pilates apparatus.

[YOU’RE VIEWING FULL COMPREHENSIVE]

ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

Train from wherever you are.

Follow a structured online curriculum with anatomy education, exercise instruction, teaching development, assignments, practice, and support throughout your certification journey.

Best for: Students who need greater scheduling or location flexibility while still wanting a guided pathway toward Pilates teacher certification.

[EXPLORE ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING]

READY TO START?

Build the knowledge to teach the whole system.

Learn the foundations. Train across the apparatus. Practice with real bodies. Develop your teaching voice. Build the experience to make thoughtful decisions for the client in front of you.

Full Comprehensive Teacher Training gives you the broadest Function Pilates education — and the tools to continue growing long after certification.

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