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In the mid-2000s, Pilates was one of the hottest exercise trends around the world. This is in part because of celebrities giving credit to this fitness method for their well-toned bodies. Years later, this exercise discipline remains to be a favourite amongst many people, including Irish citizens.
Health and fitness experts believe that the popularity of Pilates is going to rise, especially since its benefits continue to make the limelight. For one, more celebrity A-listers are now talking about how it has transformed their bodies. Some of them even post photos of them doing Pilates on their social media pages.
Aside from testimonials and promotions from high profile people, studies confirming the benefits of this exercise discipline are some of the reasons behind the resurgence in its popularity.
One study found that people in their 60s who do regular Pilates training showed better leg strength, gait and walking speed. Meanwhile, another research reported that low-intensity Pilates exercises can help middle-aged men and women improve their endurance, flexibility and balance.
Health and fitness experts believe that these studies have made Pilates more appealing to people, removing the notion that it is just another exercise fad.
Hence, an increase in demand for Pilates classes can be expected in the coming years. This also means that the need for qualified Pilates instructors is also going to grow.
If you love this exercise form and want to turn your passion into a career, now is a good time to earn your qualifications.
One of the most important decisions you are going to make is which course to enrol in. You see, there are many Pilates Instructor courses in Ireland, but not all of them offer quality education.
So, you need to carefully select the programme you are going to enrol in if you want to be a competent Pilates teacher. We’ve put together a guide that can help you pick the course that’s worth enrolling in.
Your chosen programme should equip you with knowledge of classical and contemporary Pilates.
Classical Pilates pertains to the original Contrology exercises from Joseph Pilates, the father of this exercise discipline. On the other hand, contemporary Pilates is a variation of the original work wherein developments in science, technology and equipment are incorporated.
Simply put, the course should be a combination of the original repertoire and current training based on up-to-date research.
It should be an in-depth programme wherein you are not just going to learn about Pilates techniques but also how to tailor the exercise based on a specific client’s needs or medical condition. It is going to equip you with the skills essential in properly assessing and training your clients.
The course should be structured in such a way that there is ample time given for the theory and practical elements.
Remember, you cannot become an excellent instructor if the Pilates programme only focuses on the theory part or the practice part. In this discipline, it is not just about knowing what to do but also how to do it.
You should be given time to absorb the information. Moreover, the course needs to include a supervised “practice time” wherein you would be able to apply what you have learned.
This is one of the reasons why purely online training courses are not recommended. With Internet-based courses, you would not have hands-on experience or training. The teacher would not be able to provide you with feedback, support and guidance on your technical and instructional skills nor correct you when you make mistakes. All these things are only possible when you are in a studio as you get to closely observe what should be done. This is why a course with face-to-face delivery is the ideal choice.
Nowadays, there is an abundance of short courses on various exercise disciplines, including Pilates, with a duration of one month. This is not enough time if you want to become a competent instructor.
Studies have shown that students have difficulty retaining what they have learned under this kind of condition – so-called intensive courses. They need time to absorb the information and more importantly, to master the techniques they have learned.
Ideally, the course should run for at least six months or not less than 100 hours of sessions. Again, the programme should allow sufficient time for the theoretical and practical elements of the course.
In summary, choose a course that is going to fully prepare you for a career in Pilates. Pick one that is not just going to give you the qualifications you need but also a competitive advantage.
Are you looking for a top-rated Pilates course in Ireland? Call us today on 01 882 7777 to learn more about our Pilates courses.
