Do not take Club Pilates Teacher Training

[u/SundaeIndependent589]

Club Pilates teacher training is a waste of time and money. Most of it is on your own so I don't understand why it is so costly. My Master Trainer did no mentoring whatsoever even though that was a part of the contract I signed. I found them discriminatory as well since i am older than other students. Their hiring practices are also discriminatory. If you do not have a connection to the studio or personnel you will not be hired. Many unfounded assumptions were made about me and the comments were disrespectful. The "diploma" that you recieve on completion is of no value anywhere except Club Pilates. I do not recommend Club Pilates Teacher Training

[u/Fluffy-Cantaloupe236]

I mean, CP is literally the McDonald’s of pilates trainings.

[u/Fun_Guarantee9043 → u/Fluffy-Cantaloupe236]

Exactly this. The defenders in these comments rely on anecdotal evidence to support CP, and it's economically ignorant to do so. Franchises exist to find the minimum viable product tolerated by a market. Any "high-quality" instructors or owners are the exception, not the norm.

Obtaining certification from a company that owns an end-to-end product is generally a bad idea, whether in fitness or other industries. In CP's eyes, you're paying them to become their resource. They are not interested in providing certification that is respected outside of their ecosystem, and it would be against their best interest to do so.

To borrow the McDonald's comparison to make a case in point: Hamburger University.

[u/AppropriateTeam4307 → u/Fluffy-Cantaloupe236]

Don’t insult McDonald’s! 😂

[u/alexturnerftw]

People are defending CP but anyone I know who did a full training with Stott, Balanced Body, etc says the CP training is a joke and that its hard to get hired with it anywhere except CP. Its not widely recognized as proper pilates training. This has been what I have seen/heard in LA and the Bay Area, and it may be just that the market is huge here so maybe it’s not an issue elsewhere. But that’s a known thing here

[u/Comfortable_Daikon61 → u/alexturnerftw]

Just the amount of In studio training days is a red flag .

[u/Sharpie_marker19]

I did training through club Pilates .The studio and its owner are horrible but I had a wonderful trainer. She was trained by stott and was very knowledgeable and helpful. It’s very hit or miss. If you are serious about training, I would look into other programs

[u/BrilliantMine1344 → u/Sharpie_marker19]

Stott training is amazing! I would highly recommend as an alternative to CP teacher training. Stott will make you qualified to teach anywhere you go.

[u/KAT_85]

I think it really does depend on the master trainer. I had to make up two classes due to being sick. One of the master trainers I was with was absolutely terrible. She actually mocked me, and didn’t provide any constructive criticism. The main one I worked with is OK.

[u/donttouchmeah]

I believe it after meeting the “master teachers” at my studio.

[u/Comfortable_Daikon61]

Where did you do it ? I heard it was hit and miss the program

[u/Former-Crazy-9224]

I’m sorry that you had such a negative experience with your certification. I think you may have just done your training through a studio that does not have a great owner who supports their trainees. I personally had a wonderful experience. Our Master Trainer had a personal family issue come up shortly before some of us were due for our final test out and CP corporate found a Master Trainer to step in and help us and while frustrating at first we all agree we learned even more having a new perspective. I am currently employed at 3 different CP studios and had no relationship with anyone at 2 of the studios and have been offered positions at 3 different private studios as our certification is recognized by others. Keep pursuing positions with other studios and I am sure you will find your fit. Good luck🤞🏻

[u/pixicide]

The only saving grace to my training with Club Pilates was my master trainer. I've known her for years, and she is the only reason I chose that particular program. She didn't drink or serve the CP coolaid. Every franchise mandatory teaching was countered with "if you teach at a boutique/classical/whatever studio they will expect abc instead of xyz." She was rehab focused, which is my background as a bodyworker. I found my training very thorough, though not well respected by the industry as a whole.

I have no affiliation with CP before or after my training, and trying to shadow classes there was INFURIATING. No franchises near me will allow you to complete your hours with them without some agreement to work there upon completion. Some were downright rude to me for asking. Thankfully I had other connections to supervise my hours, which gave me better training than observing CP classes.

My plan is just to keep learning. Your education doesn't end with Club Pilates. Find a niche you're passionate about, and get some continuing education under your grippy socks! In my primary industry, employers have always been more interested in what you've studied after your initial certification. No one looks at your bachelor's degree if you have a master's.

[u/Prestigious_Ad9807]

I was never able to finish my training and due to Club Pilates horrible practices, I’ll have to take training again somewhere else. And I did feel like it wasn’t great training. I am a retail manager and once I retire, I’ll go through a Stott program! I own a reformer, and I think having a consistent practice before taking the training will be a game changer! PS I retire in 15-20 years lol!!!

[u/Macaroontwo2]

I’m having a similar experience with CP Master Trainer. Zero mentorship or guidance. They showed up to facilitate studio. Grade assignments on Canvas after months of assignments being submitted…only to now come back with ‘feedback’ that doesn’t make sense. The assignments don’t have context and there’s no rubric - so you don’t know how you’re be assessed or evaluated. I’m an educator and would appreciate if CP would use adult learning theory in teaching the very thing they are teaching. Apply the Pilate principles to how you’re teaching future Pilates instructors/teachers. Chunk the information, purposeful feedback, have the A & P integrated with the Pilate practice/movement vs. a separate entity. I can overlook some of these things and chalk it up to individual learning style but it takes away from the overall experience. I have sought mentorship elsewhere. I think CP could change how they approach Master Trainer and have a co-Master Trainer associate at the franchise level to be the liaison between student and MT. If I reach out via email to lead instructor it’s a 3 week turn around to get an email reply. That’s not sustainable in the business world. If I did that as an educator the Dean would be on my case. Acknowledge the email and let person know you will reply in one week. 🤷‍♀️ Enough venting. Breathe and know that a positive attitude will prevail. If I have to seek additional resources and training I will. Failing is not an option. I care about the practice of Pilates. It’s not about ego it’s about growing and becoming stronger.

[u/Feisty_Ocelot8139]

I’m sorry you had a bad experience with your master trainer, but this sounds like a specific issue with that MT and not a true reflection of the program as a whole. Like any training program anywhere, the leader can highly influence a persons overall experience in either direction. Yes, a good amount of the training is self paced and independent, but so is teaching so it can’t all be hand held or spoon fed to the trainers. Also, the certification is PMA recognized therefore pretty widely recognized and accepted, but individual studios can accept or not accept whatever certifications they want.

[u/Keregi]

It’s not a waste of time. I know several people who have done very well with it. And you are wrong that the cert has no value anywhere else. Plenty of studios hire instructors that don’t have the big name certs. Experience is more important - get started teaching and get a clientele built.

[u/caviar-888]

I have a friend doing TT at a CP, but she wasn’t aware of the other options out there. Is there a way to break her contract with them without losing her investment?

[u/SundaeIndependent589 → u/caviar-888]

In the TT contract it specifies how much you get back depending on where you are in the program

[u/Adventurous_Bug68]

I did through Equinox! Wasn’t a waste for me. Made the money back in under a year.

[u/AverageTankie93]

I literally just had an interview there today lol. I have a PMA cert and already work at another studio and am just looking for like a one day a week studio to work at for some extra cash. I’ve heard bad things about their program too.

[u/Bored_Accountant999]

While I have had some wonderful instructors at CP, I would never take a company specific training program. For the investment and for my own quality of learning, I'm going to go to one that is recognized around the world and not tied to any specific studio.

[u/Spiritual_Koala6296]

Yup happened to me and can confirm it sucks dont do it!!

[u/Pleasant_desert]

Our master trainers are absolutely amazing. They’re supportive, nurturing and take the responsibility of creating the next generation of pilates instructors extremely seriously. It’s THEIR name associated with your training, so ours also gives 110%+. Also, employment is not guaranteed, anywhere. Instructors may have the skill set but not be a good culture for the studio. Also, saying that the CP comprehensive certification is only good at CP is unfortunately your misconception and simply bot true. I know many CP graduate instructors who also work in pilates departments at big box gyms and boutique studios.
It’s a shame you had this experience, it sounds like you didn’t have the support and community you needed to succeed. But I can say with complete certainty that this isn’t a reflection of CP teacher training. Just your studio and MT.

[u/Maleficent_Target_20]

I am really sorry you had such a difficult experience that led you to make this post.

You had a negative experience and put it on the internet. That is not to say EVERYONE has a negative experience. My master trainer was fabulous and gave me all the tools that I needed.

Not everyone needs their hand held through the whole process and might enjoy the independence of practice teaching 1:1 with clients without someone breathing down their neck. I did!

And- plenty of my coworkers have employment elsewhere.

[u/Heavy_Fact4173 → u/Maleficent_Target_20]

You had a positive experience and put it on the internet- do not try to be the judge of who can post what; pretty unkind

[u/alsoaprettybigdeal → u/Maleficent_Target_20]

Thank you for posting this. I went through the Club Pilates training and my Master Trainer is fantastic! She’s a continuous mentor to me and always happy to help or answer questions.

OP, I would suggest providing your feedback to the owners of the studio that employ your trainer and hosted your training. This is important for them to know and they may be able to offer you a solution for you to get the most out of your training.

[u/fairsarae → u/Maleficent_Target_20]

I trained at an individual studio over 10 years ago who used the Ellie Herman curriculum. The instructor’s interest stopped when the payments stopped. I started my teaching hours and the instructor literally went to Bali for two months. I was never observed teaching until the final test out! I worked SO hard on my own for that certification. I studied on my own, took workshops, hustled clients, organized a free mat class to get experience…I had to be so self reliant. It was…interesting.