Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork

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Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork Course
Qualify to teach mat based Pilates, from beginners to advanced level.
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork is open to all individuals, with or without formal training, who have an interest in human movement studies, anatomy and physiology.
Course Content
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork covers all relevant areas you need to become a respected and in-demand Pilates instructor.
- OVERVIEW
-
Successful completion of this Pilates diploma will offer you the opportunity to work within the health fitness industry (gyms, fitness centres, etc.) or in a self employed capacity as a highly respected, and in high demand, Pilates teacher.
Graduates will have the knowledge, skills and qualification to offer safe and effective Pilates instruction to the general public, on either an individual or group basis, in a safe and effective manner.
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork is accredited at European Qualification Framework (EQF) Level 4. This is the highest standard that can be achieved in qualification as a Pilates teacher in Europe.
The programme covers all relevant areas including The complete Joseph Pilates repertoire, Anatomy and Physiology, Pilates small equipment, Pilates group and 1-2-1, Pilates for Special Populations (Pre and post natal, older clients, rehabilitative adaptations, etc.) and more
- Content
-
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork covers all relevant aspects of anatomy and physiology to ensure graduates have all the knowledge they need to offer safe and effective instruction for their Pilates clients.
The complete Joseph Pilates repertoire is taught to students on this course. There is also an instruction DVD covering the full repertoire and these videos are also available online to students via the NTC Learning Portal.
The development of a strong and stable core is the key to improved and pain free function. Understanding static and dynamic posture is essential in the promotion of sound functional movement.
The Role of the Pilates Instructor module provides students with an introduction to the relevant sales and marketing skills and knowledge to be able to develop their own Pilates business.
- FEES
-
The fee for the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork course is €2,450.00.
Places may be booked by payment of a deposit of €750.00 with the balance of €1,700.00 due on the Friday before the course start date.
A discount of €250.00 is available when total fees of €2,200.00 (either in a single payment or by payment of a deposit and balance) are paid at least one calendar month prior to the course start date.
Graduates of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training and National Qualification in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy receive a 10% discount off course fees.
The cost of all programme documentation, the instructional DVD and examination fees are included within the course fee.
- eligibility
-
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork is open to all individuals, with or without formal training, who have an interest in human movement studies, anatomy and physiology. People who hold certain existing qualifications are eligible for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) in the anatomy and physiology module and although attendance for these individuals at anatomy and physiology lectures is optional, ALL candidates will be required to sit the Level 3 Theory Examination Paper which is the international standard for certification.
The qualifications which are accepted for RPL are the National Qualification in Pilates Matwork Level 1 (awarded by NTC), National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training, National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy or any fitness instructor qualification awarded at a minimum of EQF Level 3 which has been accredited by REPS Ireland (copy of qualification required).
- Syllabus
-
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork programme covers all relevant areas including:
UNIT 1
Exercise and Health Science Knowledge- The Skeletal System
- The Muscular System
- Blood and Circulation
- The Respiratory System
- The Nervous and Endocrine Systems
- Nutrition and its role in a healthy balanced lifestyle
- Client Appraisal and information gathering
- Business Aspects and Self Promotion
- Principles of Health Related Fitness
UNIT 2
Health safety and welfare in a fitness environmentUNIT 3
How to support clients who take part in exercise and physical activityUNIT 4
Principles and fundamentals of mat based PilatesUNIT 5
Plan and prepare to instruct a progressive mat based Pilates session (group and 1-2-1)UNIT 6
Instruct, manage, adapt and evaluate a mat Pilates session (group and 1-2-1)UNIT 7
Integration of small equipment into the matwork repertoire to include:- Foam Roller
- Balance Board
- Pilates Ball
- Mini Ball
- Therabands
- Isotoners
UNIT 8
Pilates matwork adaptations for special populations to include:- Pre and Post Natal
- Older Adults
- Individuals in need of rehabilitative adaptations
- Support
-
Study is supported through an online Learning Portal with documents and quizzes designed to test each students knowledge as they progress through the course. You can also access the complete original Joseph Pilates repertoire in video format through the Portal.
These videos are the same as those provided on the course DVD with availability in the Learning Portal allowing students to view them anywhere on any device. A sample video is shown below.
Successful completion of this Pilates diploma will offer you the opportunity to work within the health fitness industry (gyms, fitness centres, etc.) or in a self employed capacity as a highly respected, and in high demand, Pilates teacher.
Graduates will have the knowledge, skills and qualification to offer safe and effective Pilates instruction to the general public, on either an individual or group basis, in a safe and effective manner.
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork is accredited at European Qualification Framework (EQF) Level 4. This is the highest standard that can be achieved in qualification as a Pilates teacher in Europe.
The programme covers all relevant areas including The complete Joseph Pilates repertoire, Anatomy and Physiology, Pilates small equipment, Pilates group and 1-2-1, Pilates for Special Populations (Pre and post natal, older clients, rehabilitative adaptations, etc.) and more
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork covers all relevant aspects of anatomy and physiology to ensure graduates have all the knowledge they need to offer safe and effective instruction for their Pilates clients.
The complete Joseph Pilates repertoire is taught to students on this course. There is also an instruction DVD covering the full repertoire and these videos are also available online to students via the NTC Learning Portal.
The development of a strong and stable core is the key to improved and pain free function. Understanding static and dynamic posture is essential in the promotion of sound functional movement.
The Role of the Pilates Instructor module provides students with an introduction to the relevant sales and marketing skills and knowledge to be able to develop their own Pilates business.
The fee for the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork course is €2,450.00.
Places may be booked by payment of a deposit of €750.00 with the balance of €1,700.00 due on the Friday before the course start date.
A discount of €250.00 is available when total fees of €2,200.00 (either in a single payment or by payment of a deposit and balance) are paid at least one calendar month prior to the course start date.
Graduates of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training and National Qualification in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy receive a 10% discount off course fees.
The cost of all programme documentation, the instructional DVD and examination fees are included within the course fee.
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork is open to all individuals, with or without formal training, who have an interest in human movement studies, anatomy and physiology. People who hold certain existing qualifications are eligible for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) in the anatomy and physiology module and although attendance for these individuals at anatomy and physiology lectures is optional, ALL candidates will be required to sit the Level 3 Theory Examination Paper which is the international standard for certification.
The qualifications which are accepted for RPL are the National Qualification in Pilates Matwork Level 1 (awarded by NTC), National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training, National Qualification in Neuromuscular and Physical Therapy or any fitness instructor qualification awarded at a minimum of EQF Level 3 which has been accredited by REPS Ireland (copy of qualification required).
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork programme covers all relevant areas including:
UNIT 1
Exercise and Health Science Knowledge
- The Skeletal System
- The Muscular System
- Blood and Circulation
- The Respiratory System
- The Nervous and Endocrine Systems
- Nutrition and its role in a healthy balanced lifestyle
- Client Appraisal and information gathering
- Business Aspects and Self Promotion
- Principles of Health Related Fitness
UNIT 2
Health safety and welfare in a fitness environment
UNIT 3
How to support clients who take part in exercise and physical activity
UNIT 4
Principles and fundamentals of mat based Pilates
UNIT 5
Plan and prepare to instruct a progressive mat based Pilates session (group and 1-2-1)
UNIT 6
Instruct, manage, adapt and evaluate a mat Pilates session (group and 1-2-1)
UNIT 7
Integration of small equipment into the matwork repertoire to include:
- Foam Roller
- Balance Board
- Pilates Ball
- Mini Ball
- Therabands
- Isotoners
UNIT 8
Pilates matwork adaptations for special populations to include:
- Pre and Post Natal
- Older Adults
- Individuals in need of rehabilitative adaptations
Study is supported through an online Learning Portal with documents and quizzes designed to test each students knowledge as they progress through the course. You can also access the complete original Joseph Pilates repertoire in video format through the Portal.
These videos are the same as those provided on the course DVD with availability in the Learning Portal allowing students to view them anywhere on any device. A sample video is shown below.
Funding for Fitness Professionals

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Schedules and Location
This course is available part-time as a Saturday course, every second Saturday, in Dublin at the National Training Centre in Dublin’s city centre.
PILATES MATWORK
DUBLIN SATURDAY COURSE
ONLINE THEORY LECTURES
Thursday Evenings from 7pm to 9pm
FACE TO FACE IN CLASS LESSONS
Saturday 9am to 5pm
*Please note these dates are provisional and, although unlikely, NTC reserve the right to make changes to the timetable if and when necessary.
Fully Booked
PILATES MATWORK
DUBLIN SATURDAY COURSE
Face to Face Classes – Saturday from 9am to 5pm
Online Classes – Thursday evenings 7pm to 9pm
*Please note these dates are provisional and, although unlikely, NTC reserve the right to make changes to the timetable if and when necessary.
Good Availability
What our graduates say
The reviews and testimonials shown here are unsolicited and from NTC graduates.

Roseane O’Grady

Emma Fleming

Just a short note to say a very big thank you to you (Noeleen), Janette, Orna and Maeve for all your help, encouragement and support over the last 6 months. When I started the course, I really wasn’t sure if I was going to get there! But with your combined teaching skills, knowledge and support I could feel myself getting there over time. The service you provide offers many people a way to change the direction of their lives and to be able to do that is truly remarkable. It was a really great experience and I will miss you and all the class. Best of luck to you all in your future endeavours!
Anne Keane
Our Pilates team


Noeleen Gregory is expert in a variety of modules on various NTC courses including:
- Resistance Training
- Exercise Principles
- Fitness Assessment
- Sports Nutrition
- Pilates
- Stability Ball Training
- Exercise for Older Adults
Her knowledge and wisdom is impeccable and is backed up by a life dedicated to exercise and nutrition – both personally and professionally. Noeleen has an innate ability to transfer knowledge to students in an informative yet relaxed atmosphere. Her enthusiasm and passion for fitness has influenced thousands of students to pursue a career in the health fitness industry.
Noeleen is also the National Training Centre’s examinations coordinator and is a highly respected member of the tutoring team for the Dundalk Institute of Technology’s B.Sc (Hons) in Health and Physical Activity.


Janette is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin where she studied Economics, and continued on to spend almost 10 years in business and technology and management roles in the UK and Ireland.
In 2003, she changed career path and moved into the world of fitness. Janette has always been passionate about fitness and getting fit and knew she wanted to inspire and educate others.
She ran a successful gym in Dublin for six years while she developed her industry specific skills at the National Training Centre. As a qualified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor, she has taught private group exercise classes, and focused on motivating others through 1-1 personal training.
Janette teaches the Anatomy, Exercise to Music and Business modules on the Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training course and also teaches on the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork.


Tara holds a Higher National Diploma in Leisure Management and the National Qualification in Neuromuscular Therapy. She has studied with many of the world’s leading experts in the field of fitness and exercise rehabilitation including Tom Myers, Melanie Byford-Young, Sherri Betz, as well as Pilates Master Instructor Trainers Renee Peuizzo and Raphael Bender.
Tara has been involved in the health fitness and Pilates Industry for over 15 years. She ran her own Rehab and Pilates studio in Ireland for 8 years. She moved to Melbourne with her husband in 2009, before returning to Ireland in 2011 to practice Pilates and Clinical Pilates and establish earlypilates.ie. Tara’s areas of passion include, lumbar disc injuries, knee injuries, whiplash injuries and neck and shoulder injuries.
Tara has presented for a number of organisations, including Triathlon Ireland and Australia Pilates Method Alliance (APMA).


Gráinne first trained with NTC in the mid 90s, qualifying as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. While her career took a detour, her interest in exercise and fitness remained constant. In 2014 she returned to NTC to renew her qualifications and subsequently completed the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork. She continued her Pilates education with BASI, attending workshops and furthering her education under various teachers including Rael Isacowitz, Susan Church, Michael King and Anula Maiberg. Gráinne is also a qualified yoga teacher.
After working in advertising for over sixteen years, in 2016 she started her own business ‘GráFor Fitness’, teaching public and corporate classes as well as working with individuals to achieve their health and fitness goals. Gráinne is an instructor on the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork in NTC.


Sinéad qualified from NTC in 2013 with the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork and previously completed the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training.
Sinéad began working for herself in 2014. Through her business, SNC Pilates, she has been teaching group and private Pilates classes and corporate wellness sessions.
Since graduating from NTC, Sinéad has also received qualifications in Mat and Reformer Pilates and is a qualified Yoga instructor.


Kevin graduated from St. Mary’s University College with a Bachelor of Education degree and has spent the last 18 years working as a Primary School teacher.
In 2013, he embarked on a different path, pursuing his interest in Health & Fitness, by gaining a qualification in Sports Science and Conditioning from the Open University.
Having used Pilates in his own sporting endeavours to aid performance, Kevin furthered his Pilates knowledge and experience by qualifying from the NTC in 2016 with the Advance Diploma in Pilates Matwork.
Since then, he has developed his passion of using Pilates for rehabilitation and performance by working with elite G.A.A. clubs as well as Inter County teams.
Kevin has also created a school specific digital well-being programme for the Primary and Post-Primary school sector; ‘Primary Pilates & Mindfulness’.
He is a tutor on the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork in NTC.


Val Keeley is the NTC’s Internal QualityAssurer (IQA).
Val has been involved in the fitness industry for three decades first as a club owner before developing her career as a tutor, assessor, IQA and an External Quality Assurer for leading awarding bodies.
She has been instrumental in developing course content and materials for fitness courses both in the UK, Reps India, Reps UAE, and Reps Ireland.
Val is passionate about quality assurance and supporting individuals and business in meeting external quality assurance and compliance expectations
FAQs
- Eligibility
No. The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork course is open to all individuals.
- After Graduation
On successful completion you will be able to offer Pilates classes to the general public or integrate Pilates principles and methodologies in therapy and wellness if you are already qualified in that area.
Demand for Pilates is increasing all the time with many popular classes fully booked weeks or months in advance. Your earning potential will be determined by the number of classes you offer and the number of participants in each class. It is not unusual for qualified Pilates instructors to earn in excess of €1,000 per week.
The number of classes you decide to offer each week will be determined by your own commitment.
One of the best things about qualifying as a Pilates teacher is that you can decide how many hours a day you want to work and therefore regulate your own earning potential.
Pilates teachers generally offer their classes directly to the public or within fitness centres.
There are many opportunities for qualified teachers as the popularity of Pilates increases rapidly with many of those in the public eye proclaiming the benefits they have received and with many professional sporting teams and organisations adopting Pilates as a core element of their conditioning regime.
It should be noted that as with all professional qualifications at all levels, individual success will be result driven and will be in proportion to the time, effort and dedication you are prepared to offer the profession. Many National Training Centre graduates have started their careers on a part-time basis and have seen this aspect of their professional life overtake their full time career to become their primary or only occupation and source of income.
The National Training Centre’s code of ethics insists that all NTC graduates who are actively working with the public, hold a professional indemnity insurance policy which covers the therapist against legal action taken by a client as a result of an injury which was received when receiving treatment. Therapists who are working on private premises may also need to hold public liability insurance if such cover is not held by the owners of the premises.
The National Training Centre have a customised insurance scheme with discounted rates available exclusively to those who have qualified with NTC. The policy is one of the broadest available including many important features that other policies may not offer.
The policy has been arranged through Balens Ltd and the insurer for the scheme is the Zurich and DAS Legal Expenses.
Balens are a very well established, fourth generation family-run business dedicated to looking after health professionals. They are built on solid roots going back to 1950 and are pioneers in the development of top quality cover for all types of health professionals with special rates and industry leading cover that has been developing and improving over 22 years in this speciality.
The scheme will cover thousands of other therapies/activities you may require cover for and many at no extra premium subject to suitable qualification held.
Some of the features covered in the policy consist of Medical Malpractice, Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Product Liability, Loss of Reputation, Breach of Intellectual Property, Client Confidentiality Protection, Loss of Documents cover, First Aid cover as well as Good Samaritan Acts.
The indemnity limit is €4,000,000 per claim for the Republic of Ireland.
Unlike some other policies on the market, an unlimited number of claims may be made for any year and unlimited legal defence costs are also included.
Also included, at no extra charge, is retroactive cover to pick up any previous insured work.
Temporary cover abroad (excluding USA/Canada which is available on request) is available with no time restrictions and at no additional premium as long as you are a UK/Ireland resident.
If you cease to practice Balens include unlimited run off cover which means the policy will always be in place if a claim was made after you stop the policy running and this is also free of charge.
For further information or proposal form, please contact Balens directly on 00441684 580771 or e-mail- info@balens.co.uk
- General Course Questions
Yes. The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork is accredited by YMCA Awards (formerly CYQ) who are the UK’s leading awarding body for health, fitness and wellbeing qualifications and is the only Pilates qualification in Ireland accredited by REPs Ireland, which independently verifies exercise professional qualifications to the international standards that have been developed and published by the European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA).
Yes. Pilates teachers are free to offer their services worldwide. If you have a specific country in mind you should ensure that you check with the relevant authority in that country before embarking an any programme of education.
The Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork is available as either a Saturday or morning study option. Each course lasts between six and seven months.
The course is available in Dublin, at the National Training Centre.
As the structuring of tutorial schedules contains differences between morning and Saturday courses it is not possible to interchange.
Work experience is not compulsory on the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork course.
Students who do wish to participate in work experience are actively encouraged and supported administratively as much as possible.
Students of the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork course are assessed through both written and practical examination at the end of each course.
Students must also complete and submit various tasks contained within the Learner Workbook over the duration of the programme.
80% – to 90% of students participating on the course will successfully complete all of their final examinations on the first attempt. Of the remainder most will need to repeat one exam with a small number having to repeat more than one exam.
Every individual’s ability to succeed will be in direct proportion to the number of tutorials attended and the commitment and time and effort they are prepared to commit to their studies.
- About Fees
The fee for the Advanced Diploma in Pilates Matwork course is €2,450.00
Places may be booked by payment of a deposit of €750.00 with the balance of €1,700.00 due on the Friday before the course start date.
A discount of €250.00 is available when total fees of €2,200.00 (either in a single payment or by payment of a deposit and balance) are paid at least one calendar month prior to the course start date.
Graduates of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training and National Qualification in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy receive a 10% discount off course fees.
Students of the National Training Centre regularly receive part funding through the Department of Social Protection’s Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG) scheme.
Individual students will need to contact their Local Employment Services (LES) facilitator to establish their eligibility.
For assistance please contact the NTC office of administration on 01 882 7777.
Additionally qualified fitness professionals can receive 25% funding from the Leisure Health Fitness Skillnet. For more information contact Leisure Health Fitness Skillnet.