Is the ISSA Pilates Instructor Course Right for You?

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As a former full-time fitness instructor, I know how hard it can be to seek out a certification program that will provide the best training to my former clients, and also lead to a variety of career opportunities. It was important to me (and probably to you, too) to find an option that allowed me to study when I wanted, but was equally rigorous and affordable. Among the options I considered at the time, the International Sports Science Association (ISSA) was one of the best.

While I have several personal training certifications under my belt from both ISSA and other well-known companies, like the NASM Personal Training Certification, I was especially interested in ISSA’s latest offering—the Pilates Instructor Course.

Despite being a nearly 100-year old workout method, Pilates has exploded in popularity today, which makes becoming a certified instructor very appealing. Pilates fanatics range from those heading to their daily 5 a.m. Club Pilates class to those using the workout to support their weightlifting efforts, so there is potential for a very wide clientele.

You may also want to consider becoming a Pilates instructor if you do not enjoy pushing heavy weights or dancing in a group fitness class. Sound like a fit for you? You’re starting in the right place. This review will tell you everything you need to know about ISSA's Pilates Instructor Course, including how the program works and what you can expect during studying.

ISSA Pilates Instructor Course at a Glance

Key features and specs

• Cost: $640 for 12 months or $53.27 per month
• Exam type: 100 multiple-choice questions, open-book
• Length of Course: 8 months, but most people complete within 3–6 months. If more time is needed, up to a 4-month extension is available and can be purchased for $10 a month
• Pass Rate: Data not available (other ISSA certifications have pass rates of up to 80 percent)
• NCCA Accredited Certification?: No
• Pre-Requisites: Need to be CPR-certified before you can receive the certification (can purchase as an add-on for $49)

Overview of the ISSA Pilates Instructor Course

Pilates focuses on full-body movements while improving strength and flexibility, and as such, the ISSA Pilates certification is centered around helping you develop a better understanding of human anatomy and how to move your body for health and longevity. This course teaches you how to work with clients of all fitness levels and offer them Pilates routines in a variety of settings, whether they are at home, doing an online workout or in-person with you on the mat. The ISSA Pilates Instructor Course launched in June 2023, making it one of ISSA’s newest offerings.

What we like:

• Flexible learning schedule
• Ongoing support and mentorship
• Open-book exam
• Study resources including audio lessons, reading modules, and chapter quizzes
• One of the most affordable Pilates certifications on the market

What to consider:

• As it is a new course, there is no physical textbook available
• Is not an NCCA-accredited course yet
• Not for those who like to teach high-intensity training

Content

Here’s a breakdown of the subjects covered and some examples of chapters and content you will see in each module:

• Human Anatomy Basics: Structure and Function of the Human Body, The Skeletal, Muscular and Nervous Systems
• Physiology for Exercise and Health: Function of the Joints and Muscles During Movement, Stability Training
• Metabolism and Energy Systems: Respiration During Exercise, Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise
• The History of Pilates: Foundational Learnings of Pilates Philosophies
• Pilates Techniques and Principles: Basic Pilates Moves, Exercise Technique
• Teaching a Pilates Class: Programming, Teaching Etiquette
• Rapport and Motivation: General Health Conditions, Working With Different Populations
• Nutrition and Hydration: Nutrition and Macronutrients, Energy and Calories
• Special Populations: Working With a Variety of Clients, Catering To Specific Populations
• Health, Safety and Welfare in a Fitness Environment: Emergency Situations in Fitness Environments

Coursework

This is a self-paced course broken down into 10 modules, plus a final exam. Each module includes its own assigned readings, videos, audio lessons and a quiz to sum up the module. Although each module has about 50–200 pages of reading, the audio lessons were an effective learning tool when I was on-the-go or needed to repeat a chat. The videos in each module demonstrated pilates movements and exercises, which are extremely important to pilates learning. Because I took my time reading, watching videos and taking notes, I devoted at least one week to each module.

Study Materials

To support your learning, ISSA also provides a variety of other learning resources.

• Common Terms and Muscle Glossaries: Provides quick access to Pilates vocabulary terms and muscles in the body, with or without audio.
• HyperStrike Exercise Videos: Allows you to see video demonstrations of exercises and movements.
• Medline Research Articles: ISSA’s own medical research tool, offering the latest research studies in general health, fitness and nutrition by MedlinePlus.
• Question Board: An online forum and chat that allows you to post questions about the course should you not wish to call. It also allows you to see questions other students have asked.
• Online Support: Get in touch with ISSA's support team at any time during the course if you have questions. (Whenever I called, they answered right away.)
• Career and Business Resources: There is more to being a trainer than just training students, and ISSA can help navigate these. In this resource section, you will gain access to a variety of material you can use to market yourself and serve your clients including a business guide, health questionnaire and training forms, business cards, liability insurance, personal health insurance and a free website. learn how to start and run your own training business, plus how to market it.

Exam Overview

Once you have completed all of the content within the modules, including the chapter quizzes, you will have access to the final exam. The ISSA Pilates Instructor Course final exam is 100 multiple-choice questions, taken online. There's one thing that makes ISSA stand out: its exam is open-book and open-note, so you don't have to memorize everything for test day. You do not need to complete the exam in one sitting, but you do need to score at least a 75 percent to pass.

You have a total of two attempts to complete the ISSA Pilates exam, and once done, you should be able to see your results as early as the next day. Keep in mind that before you receive your certification, you must be CPR-certified and upload your certification within your Pilates Course account.

Other ISSA certifications, like Strength and Conditioning, have the option to sit for the NCCA-accredited exam, which is a closed-book, proctored exam and comes as a bundle package with the certification. The Pilates Instructor Course does not offer this option yet since it is so new, according to ISSA.

Continuing Education

ISSA Pilates certifications are valid for only two years. In order to re-certify, you must pay a $99 membership renewal fee, submit a current CPR/AED certification and provide proof of 20 continuing education units (CEU). Continuing education credits can be obtained through ISSA or another ISSA-approved course. If you choose to earn your CEUs through ISSA, the company will waive your renewal fee.

My Experience With the ISSA Pilates Instructor Course

Starting the course

Once I signed up for the course on the ISSA website, I was able to log in and see my course immediately. I found the platform to be very user-friendly and easy to navigate between modules, guided readings and video lessons. A percentage tracker shows how far you are through each module, and once you have finished the chapter and quiz, you'll see "100 percent complete," which makes it easier to remember where you left off if you don’t finish a module in one sitting

Level of difficulty

If you’re new to fitness training and have no background in biology, you may have difficulty understanding the information, but ISSA’s study tools make the process fairly simple. I found the chapter quizzes summed up the material really well, making it easy to carry the information with me to the next module, as well as to refer back to them if I needed to refresh my memory.

If you read all the chapters and take the guided quizzes, you should feel confident going into the final exam. Given that it is an open-book and open-note exam, you can reference the notes you took throughout the course and review your quiz answers(even though they won't reflect them exactly).

Support and customer service

As already mentioned, ISSA’s support team is super responsive and helpful during the whole process. I called a couple of times to ask about accessing some documents, and they answered the phone immediately on each occasion. If you prefer not to call, ISSA has success coaches who are available to answer questions on the interactive question board and via chat.

Becoming a Pilates Instructor

One of the benefits of the popularity of Pilates is that as an instructor, you have the option of working in a variety of settings, such as a gym, opening your own studio, or serving clients one-on-one. There are many steps you’ll need to take to get there.

Learning the necessary skills and then putting them into practice is the first step toward becoming a Pilates coach. To start, you should enroll in a reputable Pilates certification program, such as the ISSA Pilates Instructor Course, which will lay the foundation for understanding the principles of Pilates, anatomy and effective coaching techniques. Note that ISSA does not yet offer on-hands Pilates training, which most studios will require before you can become an independent instructor. Along with your ISSA certification, you'll probably need to find a nearby facility or program that offers training in certain specialties of Pilates such as mat, reformer or rehab.

In general, it takes anywhere from seven months to two years to become a certified Pilates instructor and there are often prerequisites required. Below, we’ve outlined the general steps one will have to follow. (Note: Specific requirements can vary by country, gym or certification program.)

• Educational Background: Most Pilates teacher training programs require candidates to have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

• Program: To become certified to teach, you must take an accredited Pilates certification course. You should look for programs that are recognized by Pilates industry associations; they should cover anatomy, physiology, teaching techniques and practical teaching experience.

• Practical Teaching Experience: Many programs require candidates to observe experienced instructors and gain hands-on teaching experience. This may involve
teaching practice classes under supervision for a certain number of hours, usually between 100–250 hours of hands-on training experience.

• Examination (company-dependent): After completing your course and practical training, you have to sit for an exam to become a Certified Pilates instructor. Many gyms will accept this certification and practical training alone, so it really depends on what kind of career you are looking for. However, if you want to specialize in a specific area, such as prenatal or rehab Pilates, you must find an additional certification that will award you these credentials.

• Continuing Education: Pilates instructors are usually required to engage in continuing education courses to stay informed about new developments in Pilates methodology, anatomy and teaching techniques. Remember that ISSA certifications are only valid for two years, so you will need to complete continuing education units (CEUs) and re-certify in order to maintain your certification.

The Benefits of Becoming an ISSA-Certified Pilates Instructor

Pilates instructor salary

Just as with any profession, the salary of a Pilates coach can vary based on factors such as experience, location, setting and employment—but most Pilates coaches can expect a successful career. Pilates coaches in the United States earn an annual salary ranging from $30,000 to $70,000 on average, according to estimates on Salary.com and Glassdoor.com. Entry-level instructors or those with fewer years of experience might earn on the lower end of this scale, while seasoned instructors working in high-demand areas or prestigious studios may command even higher salaries. Additionally, some Pilates coaches work as freelancers or operate their own studios, influencing their income levels.

Career outlook

The career outlook for certified Pilates instructors appears promising based on industry research and trends. The demand for fitness instructors is expected to grow 14 percent by 2032, driven by a rise in health and wellness awareness and health-conscious consumers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Certified Pilates instructors can expect opportunities for employment in fitness studios, rehabilitation centers, and corporate wellness programs. Additionally, virtual fitness platforms, such as Tonal, allow users to access a Pilates workout routine however it’s convenient for them, avoiding the need of signing up for in-person reformer classes. Continuing education and specialization in niche areas within Pilates may provide instructors with a competitive edge in this dynamic and expanding field.

Related Post: Can the Merrithew Pilates Reformer Help You Get Stronger?

About ISSA

Established in 1988, ISSA helps educate fitness and nutrition professionals. The organization offers a diverse range of accredited fitness and nutrition certifications, covering areas such as personal training, strength and conditioning, nutrition, health coaching and, most recently, Pilates and yoga. ISSA constantly adapts its courses to keep up with the latest research, helping to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the evolving fitness industry.

If you're interested in health coaching, check out our ISSA Health Coach Certification review.

ISSA Pilates Certification FAQs

Is the ISSA Pilates certification credible?

Many gyms and exercise studios accept ISSA-accredited trainers. If you are unsure whether a studio accepts your certification, you can contact them first.

How often do you need to renew your ISSA Pilates certification?

ISSA certifications are valid for two years. After that, you only need to complete 20 hours of CEUs to maintain your current certification.

Is the ISSA Pilates certification worth it?

The ISSA Pilates certification is worth it if you want to learn a basic understanding of Pilates and human anatomy. However, as with most training professions, you will need to continue to take different courses as the certification expires and you want to keep learning.

The Takeaway: Is the ISSA Pilates Certification Right for You?

If you want to get started on learning the basics of Pilates, ISSA might be the place for you. With an open-book exam, unlimited retries and less than $800 for the entire course, it's probably one of the best deals out there. If you're already a certified fitness instructor, this Pilates course will help you better understand human anatomy and movement, which will benefit both your students and you. Plus, ISSA is so confident of its services and courses that if you don't get a job within 6 months, you can contact them and get a 100 percent refund.

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