FUNCTION PILATES
MAT CERTIFICATIOIN

Build Your Foundation as a Pilates Instructor

Turn your love of Pilates into the knowledge, confidence, and practical teaching skills to lead safe, effective Mat Pilates classes.

The Function Pilates 100-Hour Mat Teacher Certification combines live, in-person education with anatomy, movement principles, hands-on practice, and real-world teaching experience.

You won’t simply memorize a list of exercises. You’ll learn to understand movement, communicate effectively, work with different bodies, and confidently step into the role of an instructor.

100-hour certification | live in-person training

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is mat certification right for you?

Start with a strong foundation.

Mat Certification is the most accessible entry point into the Function Pilates Teacher Training program and a strong place to begin your education as an instructor.

This program may be right for you if you:

  • Love Pilates and want to deepen your understanding of the method

  • Want to begin teaching Mat Pilates classes

  • Are interested in becoming an instructor but aren’t ready to commit to apparatus training

  • Already work in fitness, dance, movement, or wellness and want to expand your skill set

  • Want to build a strong foundation before continuing into Reformer or Comprehensive training

  • Want to better understand anatomy, alignment, movement, and the “why” behind Pilates exercises

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

No previous teaching experience is required.

what you’ll learn

More than a list of exercises.

Great Pilates teaching begins with understanding the movement, not simply memorizing what comes next.

Your Mat training combines anatomy, Pilates principles, exercise repertoire, and practical teaching skills so you understand both what you’re teaching and why you’re teaching it.

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 REPERTOIRE

Learn the Function Pilates Mat repertoire with 45 exercises, progressing from foundational movements to more advanced exercises.

For each exercise, you’ll study:

  • Purpose

  • Muscle focus

  • Setup

  • Movement

  • Common corrections

  • Teaching cues

You’ll also begin learning how exercises can be modified, progressed, and incorporated into a complete Pilates session.

TEACHING SKILLS

Knowing Pilates and knowing how to teach Pilates are two different skills.

Throughout training, you’ll practice how to:

  • Cue clearly and effectively

  • Observe how a client moves

  • Recognize and correct alignment

  • Modify when appropriate

  • Build logical exercise progressions

  • Create balanced sessions

  • Communicate with different learning styles

  • Develop your own teaching voice

  • Lead clients with confidence and professionalism

what’s included

Hands-on training designed to prepare you to actually teach.

Your in-person training combines education, movement, discussion, practice, and real-time feedback so you can begin applying what you’re learning from day one.

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 movement practice

Learn the repertoire by doing it, with guided practice focused on setup, execution, alignment, muscle focus, corrections, and cues.

anatomy + movement education

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

real-time feedback + corrections

Receive feedback while you move and teach so you can make adjustments, ask questions, and improve in the moment.

guided teaching practice

Develop your teaching skills through cueing practice, partner work, exercise instruction, and opportunities to lead fellow trainees.

comprehensive training materials

Receive your printed Anatomy + Mat Manual, Mat Exercise Manual, and Student Handbook to use throughout your certification journey.

small-group learning + community

Practice alongside fellow trainees, observe different bodies, exchange ideas, and learn from one another throughout training.

programming + sequencing

Learn to build thoughtful Pilates sessions using purposeful exercise order, transitions, modifications, and progressions.

ongoing certification support

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

program requirements

your 100-hour mat certification

in-person classroom training (30 hours)

Complete all required classroom training in anatomy, Pilates principles, Mat repertoire, and teaching methodology.

Continue practicing the Mat repertoire to build familiarity, body awareness, and a deeper understanding of the exercises you’ll teach.

self-practice hours (15)

Mat students complete additional program requirements including:

  • Client Intake Form

  • Mock Marketing Flyer

  • Studio Experience

  • Required hour logs

  • Student teacher insurance documentation

required assignments

Observe experienced Pilates instructors to study real-world teaching, including cueing, sequencing, corrections, modifications, and client interaction.

observation hours (20)

Gain practical experience teaching private and group sessions while developing your confidence and communication skills.

student teaching hours (35)

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 classroom training is only the beginning.

One of the most important parts of becoming an instructor happens after you first learn the material.

As you move into observation, self-practice, student teaching, assignments, and exam preparation, you’ll continue to have access to the Function Pilates Teacher Training team for guidance.

You’ll know what needs to be completed, how to document your progress, and who to contact when questions come up.

Your training is designed to give you the structure to stay on track while allowing you the time to practice, gain experience, and grow into your role as an instructor.

your investment

Invest in the foundation of your Pilates education.

IN-PERSON MAT TEACHER CERTIFICATION

$899

or 6 monthly payments of $169

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. Mat Certification is designed to give you a strong foundation in Pilates, anatomy, movement, and teaching methodology.

  • The current Function Pilates Mat Certification requires 100 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: 30 hours

    • Observation hours: 20

    • Self-Practice hours: 15

    • Student Teaching hours: 35

  • 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. Mat provides the foundation for continued Pilates education. If you decide you want to expand the equipment you’re qualified to teach, you can continue your education through Mat + Reformer or Full Comprehensive training.

  • 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.

WHICH CERTIFICATION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

One starting point. Multiple ways to grow.

Your training pathway depends on what you want to teach, how extensively you want to train, and whether you prefer an in-person or online learning experience.

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.

[YOU’RE VIEWING IN-PERSON MAT]

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.

[EXPLORE 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 TEACHING PILATES?

Your Pilates education starts here.

Whether you’re pursuing a new career, adding Pilates to the work you already do, or ready to take your understanding of movement to the next level, Mat Teacher Training gives you the foundation to begin.

Learn the method. Practice the work. Develop your voice. Learn how to teach.

Join us in the studio and take the first step toward becoming a Function Pilates Certified Mat Instructor.

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