FUNCTION PILATES
MAT + reformer CERTIFICATION
expand your skills. expand where you can teach.
Build the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience to teach both Mat and Reformer Pilates.
The 300-hour Function Pilates Mat + Reformer Teacher Certification combines live, in-person education with anatomy, movement principles, Mat foundations, Reformer training, hands-on practice, and real-world teaching experience.
You’ll learn more than an exercise repertoire. You’ll learn how to understand the equipment, make intentional programming decisions, work with different bodies, and confidently lead clients through both Mat and Reformer sessions.
300-hour certification | live in-person training
is mat + reformer certification right for you?
Build a more versatile Pilates teaching foundation.
Mat + Reformer Certification is designed for students who want to go beyond Mat and develop the skills to teach on one of the most widely used pieces of Pilates equipment.
This program may be right for you if you:
Want to teach both Mat and Reformer Pilates
Want a broader Pilates education from the beginning
Hope to teach in a Pilates studio or equipment-based setting
Want to understand how Mat foundations translate to the Reformer
Are already working in fitness, dance, movement, or wellness and want to expand your skill set
Want more options for programming and working with different clients
Learn best through live instruction, hands-on practice, and real-time feedback
Want extensive Reformer education without pursuing the additional apparatus included in Full Comprehensive training
No previous teaching experience is required.
what you’ll learn
Build the foundation. Then take it to the equipment.
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.
Mat + Reformer training begins with the same foundational understanding of Pilates, anatomy, movement, and teaching principles as our Mat Certification, then expands that knowledge to the Reformer.
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.
reformer fundamentals
Learn how to safely and effectively work with the Pilates Reformer, including equipment setup, positioning, and the foundations needed to confidently guide clients through apparatus-based movement.
reformer REPERTOIRE
Study an extensive Reformer repertoire spanning:
Footwork
Abdominal work
Hip work
Spinal articulation
Stretches
Full-body exercises
Arm work
Additional leg work
Lateral flexion and rotation
Extension
The Function Pilates Reformer curriculum includes 104 exercises and variations, giving you a broad repertoire to draw from as you begin teaching and 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
programming + progression
Learn how to move beyond teaching individual exercises and begin creating complete sessions.
You’ll explore exercise order, transitions, modifications, progressions, and ways to build thoughtful programming for different clients and ability levels.
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 mat + reformer practice
Learn by doing. Practice the repertoire throughout training while exploring setup, execution, alignment, muscle focus, corrections, cues, and appropriate 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.
programming + sequencing
Learn how individual exercises come together to create intentional Mat and Reformer sessions using thoughtful exercise order, transitions, modifications, and progressions.
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, Mat Exercise Manual, Reformer Manual, and Student Handbook to use throughout training and as ongoing resources throughout your certification journey.
reformer equipment education
Become comfortable working with the Reformer through hands-on equipment training designed to help you understand setup, safety, client positioning, and effective use of the apparatus.
anatomy + movement education
Connect anatomy to both Mat and Reformer work 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 300-hour mat + reformer certification
in-person classroom training (80 hours)
Complete all required classroom training covering anatomy, Mat, Reformer, Pilates principles, programming, and teaching methodology.
Continue practicing both Mat and Reformer Pilates to build familiarity with the repertoire and experience the work from the client’s perspective.
self-practice (40 hours)
Mat + Reformer 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 experienced Pilates instructors to study real-world teaching, including cueing, sequencing, corrections, modifications, and client interaction.
observation (80 hours)
Gain hands-on experience leading sessions and working with real clients while developing your confidence, communication, programming, and teaching skills.
student teaching (100 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 classroom training is only the beginning.
Learning the material is one part of becoming a Pilates instructor. Building confidence comes from what happens next: practicing, observing, teaching, asking questions, and gaining experience.
After your in-person training dates are complete, you’ll continue working toward certification through observation, self-practice, student teaching, assignments, and final testing.
Throughout that process, the Function Pilates Teacher Training team remains available as a resource.
You’ll have guidance on what needs to be completed, how to document your progress, and how to prepare for your final assessments.
your investment
Invest in a more versatile Pilates education.
IN-PERSON MAT + reformer TEACHER CERTIFICATION
$3,299
or 12 monthly payments of $319
Payment plans begin at the time of enrollment.
enroll now
frequently asked questions
-
No previous teaching experience is required. The program begins with foundational Pilates and anatomy education before progressing into Mat and Reformer teaching.
-
No. Mat training is already incorporated into the Mat + Reformer program, so you can begin directly with this certification pathway.
-
The Function Pilates Reformer curriculum includes 104 exercises and variations across multiple categories of movement, including footwork, abdominal work, hips, spinal articulation, stretching, full-body work, arms, legs, rotation, lateral flexion, and extension.
-
The current Function Pilates Mat + Reformer Certification requires 300 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: 80 hours
Observation hours: 80
Self-Practice hours: 40
Student Teaching hours: 100
-
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.
-
Because self-practice and teaching experience are part of the certification process, you’ll need opportunities to continue working with the Reformer outside of your scheduled training dates.
Your Teacher Training resources will explain the options available for completing these requirements.
-
If you want to expand beyond Mat and Reformer, Full Comprehensive training adds education on additional Pilates apparatus, including Chair, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, and Spine Corrector.
-
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 where you want Pilates to take you.
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.
[YOU’RE VIEWING 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?
Turn your Pilates practice into something you can teach.
Build your foundation on the Mat. Learn to work confidently with the Reformer. Develop the skills to guide, cue, program, and teach real clients.
Your Pilates education can take you further, and your next step starts here.
