Become a Certified
Mat Pilates Instructor
Become a confident, career-ready Pilates teacher through a modern, science-informed training program,
available online worldwide or in person at select SPRING Home Studios.
SPRING’s Mat Certification builds the foundation for Pilates teaching through evidence-based anatomy and modern, human-centered movement. Learn 100+ exercises, develop inclusive teaching skills, and graduate with the confidence to lead mat classes anywhere.
Choose the learning experience that works best for you: join your Teaching Labs live online or in person at a SPRING Home Studio. Either way, you’ll follow the same three-phase SPRING pathway and earn the same Mat Pilates Certification.
What You’ll Get
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A Structured, Supportive Pathway
Follow a clear, three-phase journey designed for success: CORE (build your foundations), TEACHING LABS (practice with real-time feedback), and CAREER READY (complete your logbook, assessments, and portfolio). You’re guided step-by-step so you always know what to do and what comes next.
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A Flexible, Flipped-Learning Model
Master your theory online, then bring it to life through interactive Teaching Labs, either live online or in person at a SPRING Home Studio. You’ll practice 100+ exercises, develop cueing and sequencing skills, work through screenings and case studies, and receive structured feedback from educators and peers.
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Evidence-Based Education
Learn from leading educators through a curriculum developed by physiotherapists and grounded in modern movement science. You’ll build strong, transferable skills in anatomy, exercise science, injury-aware movement, and inclusive adaptations — the foundations that prepare you to teach with confidence across a wide range of clients and settings.
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A Complete Teaching Portfolio
Graduate with a polished, job-ready portfolio that studios will love. You’ll build class plans, modification maps, a clear teaching philosophy, and assessment templates — giving you a professional toolkit that demonstrates your skills, style, and readiness to teach from day one.
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DEI Micro-Credential
Graduate with a second credential in inclusive, trauma-aware teaching — an industry rarity and a major differentiator. You’ll learn inclusive language, culturally responsive coaching, trauma-aware practices, and adaptive teaching strategies for diverse populations, ensuring you can confidently teach every body.
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Teach Around the World
Become part of a global community of 1,000+ SPRING students, with graduates teaching and building careers across the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe and beyond. Build the knowledge, practical experience and professional skills to pursue teaching opportunities in Pilates studios, gyms and wellness spaces around the world.
One Mat Certification. Two Ways to Learn.
Every SPRING student follows the same Mat Certification curriculum and three-phase learning pathway.
The difference is simply how you attend your live Teaching Labs.
ONLINE
Live Online Teaching Labs
Join your SPRING educator and cohort live online for an interactive, hands-on learning experience. Zoom breakout rooms give you plenty of opportunities to work in pairs, trios and small groups, so you’re actively practicing, teaching, cueing, observing and moving throughout each session. You’ll come back together regularly as a full cohort for demonstrations, discussion, educator guidance and real-time feedback.
IN PERSON
In-Person Teaching Labs
Join your SPRING educator and cohort at a select SPRING Home Studio for an interactive, hands-on learning experience. You’ll work in pairs, trios and small groups, so you’re actively practicing, teaching, cueing, observing and moving throughout each session. You’ll also come together regularly as a full cohort for demonstrations, discussion, educator guidance and real-time feedback.
Same curriculum. Same pathway. Same certification.
UPCOMING COURSES & PRICING
Find Your Mat Certification
Choose how you'd like to join your live Teaching Labs to explore upcoming course dates, locations and pricing.
ONLINE
Join your SPRING cohort live online and become part of a connected, global learning community. If Reformer is next on your journey, you can also continue your training in person at a SPRING Home Studio.
Choose your region below to explore upcoming online Mat courses and pricing and apply.
IN PERSON
Train within a studio environment and become part of both a local and global SPRING community.
Choose your Home Studio below to explore upcoming courses and pricing and apply.
United States
Brooklyn, USA
East River Pilates
Chicago, USA
Page One Pilates
Connecticut, USA
Luxe Pilates
Australia
Sydney, AUS
Scout Studios
Brisbane, AUS
Power Moves
Melbourne, AUS
Good Times Pilates
Inside Your Mat Pilates Certification
Explore what you’ll learn, how the program works, what’s included, and everything you’ll need to graduate feeling confident and ready to teach.
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By the end of this certification, you’ll be able to:
Teach 100+ exercises with clear verbal, visual & tactile cueing
Design safe, inclusive classes for all levels
Adapt for real-world bodies, injuries, and special populations
Conduct basic assessments (postural, movement, subjective)
Lead group classes and private sessions
Build your professional voice, presence, and confidence
Teach trauma-aware, culturally responsive classes
This is everything you need to step into a studio and start teaching.
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HOURS BREAKDOWN — (150 Total Hours)
Online Modules: 56 hrs
Live Teaching Labs: 24 hrs
Logbook: 70 hrs
10 hrs observation
30 hrs practice teaching
30 hrs self-practice
PHASE 1 — CORE (Weeks 1-5, Self-Paced | 35 hrs online)
Build strong foundations in:
Anatomy + exercise science
SPRING alignment principles
Full mat repertoire
Teaching fundamentals
PHASE 2 — TEACHING LABS (Weeks 6-8 | 24 hrs live & 6 hrs online)
Where everything clicks:
Teaching practice with live coaching
Sequencing, cueing, and progressions
Adaptations + special populations
Screening + practical teaching skills
PHASE 3 — CAREER READY (Weeks 9+, Self-Paced | 15 hrs online & 70 logged)
Graduate ready for real studios:
Professional readiness modules
Business + client growth foundations
Teaching portfolio
Written + practical exams
Logbook completion (observation, practice teaching, self-practice)
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Apply online
Receive enrolment confirmation
Complete online modules
Attend all live teaching labs
Complete logbook hours
Complete exams
Graduate as a Mat Pilates Instructor
Continue to Reformer or next pathway
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Everything you need to become a confident, capable instructor:
12-month access to all online modules
24 hours of live teaching labs
DEI micro-credential
3 months’ complimentary access to Class Choreography
Full Mat Repertoire Video Library (100+ exercises)
Digital manuals & class templates
Logbook + rubrics
Quizzes & knowledge checks
Educator feedback & mentorship
Lifetime access to SPRING’s global community
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Recommended: ~25 hours of personal mat practice.
You’ll need:
A device + internet connection
Ability to attend all scheduled live teaching labs
Completion of Phase 1 before labs (5 days prior)
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You’ll be ready to teach:
Studio Mat Pilates classes
Gym + fitness club groups
Private 1:1 sessions
Community, wellness, and online classes
Future pathways include Reformer, Apparatus, and Pre & Postnatal Certifications.
Who This Program Is For
SPRING’s Mat Certification is designed for people who want to deepen their understanding of movement and learn how to teach Pilates with confidence, curiosity and care. Our students come to SPRING with all kinds of backgrounds, experiences and career goals, including:
✺ Aspiring Pilates instructors
Ready to build a strong, science-informed foundation and take the first step toward teaching professionally.
✺ Movement professionals
Yoga teachers, fitness coaches, dancers and personal trainers looking to expand their movement knowledge and teaching skills.
✺ Health and wellness professionals
Physiotherapists, massage therapists and allied health professionals interested in bringing Pilates principles into their existing work.
✺ Dedicated Pilates practitioners
People who love Pilates, want to understand the method more deeply and are curious about taking the next step into teaching.
✺ Career changers
People looking for a meaningful new direction and a career that helps others move, connect and feel better in their bodies.
What Our Community Has to Say
"Since completing the program, I now teach 20–30 Reformer sessions per week across NYC—alongside the people who trained me."
— DJ Rock from Brooklyn, USA
“The thoroughness and thoughtfulness of the program was second to none. There is no stone left unturned — we'll all be better instructors because of this.”
— Rachel from Sydney, AUS
“Amazing and thorough introduction, it made me so excited to start my course! Appreciative of the inclusive program you have created.”
— Audrey from Sydney, AUS
A Peek Into Our Learning Hub
Your Dream Career Starts Here
Not sure which course is right for you, or simply have a few questions before taking the next step?
Book a complimentary call with our team. We’d love to hear what you’re looking for and help you find the best place to begin.
Mat Pilates Certification
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
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No prior experience is required. Many students join the Mat Certification as their very first step into Pilates education.
We do recommend having around 25 hours of personal practice (taking Pilates classes) simply to help you feel familiar with the movements — but it’s not required.
Wherever you’re starting from, we’ll guide you from the beginning and support you as your skills grow.
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There are no formal prerequisites.
A curiosity for movement, a willingness to learn, and access to a device for the online modules are all you need to begin.
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Many students follow the guided 12-week pathway, but you’ll have up to 12 months to complete all requirements at a pace that suits your life.
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You’ll enroll in a specific cohort, and once registered, you’ll receive immediate access to your online modules so you can begin Phase 1 before your live labs.
If your schedule changes, you may request a deferral to a later cohort within your 12-month access period. See our Deferment Policy for full details.
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Yes, absolutely.
Our students come from all over the world, and many speak English as a second language. To support your learning, we offer:
Closed captioning in all online videos
Key interactive modules available in English, Spanish, and Chinese
Clear, supportive teaching in live labs
If you ever need clarification or slower pacing, our educators are here to help.
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If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study in anatomy, physiology, exercise science, movement science, or a related health field, you may be eligible for a Prior Learning Coursework Exemption from Anatomy Foundations and/or Exercise Science 1.0.
Simply provide us with your academic transcript and our Program Director will review your previous study to determine whether it meets the learning requirements for these courses.
If approved, the relevant course will be marked as Complete, so you won’t need to complete its coursework or assessments. You’ll still have full access to the course in your Learning Hub if you’d like to use it as a refresher.
All other certification requirements and tuition remain the same, including your Pilates-specific coursework, Teaching Labs, practical hours, and final assessments.
How the Program Works
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SPRING’s Mat Certification is structured across three phases, designed to take you from building your foundations to confidently applying what you’ve learned in real teaching situations.
Phase 1: CORE
Start by building your foundations through self-paced online learning in the SPRING Learning Hub. You’ll explore anatomy, movement science, the Pilates repertoire and the principles behind effective, inclusive teaching, giving you time to learn and absorb the theory at your own pace.Phase 2: TEACHING LABS
Next, bring that knowledge to life through live, interactive Teaching Labs, either online or in person at a SPRING Home Studio. You’ll practise the repertoire, cueing, sequencing, modifications and teaching skills alongside your cohort, with real-time guidance and feedback from your SPRING educator.Phase 3: CAREER READY
Finally, put everything together through independent practice, observation and teaching hours, along with your assessments and professional portfolio. This phase is designed to help you refine your skills, build real-world teaching experience and graduate feeling confident and ready to teach.Each phase builds intentionally on the one before it, so you’re never expected to know everything at once. You’ll learn it, practise it, apply it and build confidence along the way.
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Most weeks include a mix of online study, movement practice, and reflection. During Phase 1, you’ll work through self-paced modules on your own schedule. During teaching lab weeks, you’ll attend live sessions and integrate what you’ve learned through practice teaching and feedback.
The structure is designed to be manageable alongside work and life, with clear guidance on what to focus on each week.
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Both formats follow the same curriculum, include the same number of hours, and offer the same level of educator interaction and support. The only difference is the setting.
In-person Teaching Labs take place at select partner studios
Online Teaching Labs are held live via Zoom, in real time
You’ll practice teaching, receive feedback, and build community in either format. Offering both options reflects our commitment to making Pilates education accessible, inclusive, and flexible, so you can learn in the environment that best supports your life, location, and learning style.
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Yes. Online and in-person students complete the same Mat Pilates Certification and are assessed against the same learning outcomes and standards.
The main difference is how you participate in the Teaching Labs. Online students attend virtual Teaching Labs, while in-person students attend face-to-face labs. Both formats include practical learning, teaching practice, feedback and support from the SPRING team.
Your certificate does not specify whether you studied online or in person.
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To keep the experience personal and supportive:
Virtual cohorts are capped at 22 students
In-person cohorts typically include up to 20 students, depending on studio size
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Teaching labs are where everything clicks.
In labs, you’ll:
Practice teaching
Learn to cue clearly and confidently
Build flow and sequencing skills
Receive supportive, real-time feedback
Observe your peers and build community
Deepen your understanding of the repertoire
Labs are intentionally small, collaborative, and confidence-building, so you feel seen, supported, and prepared.
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Live labs are a core part of the Mat Certification, as they’re where you practice teaching and receive feedback.
We understand that life happens. If you’re unable to attend part of a lab, we offer a make-up process that includes an online module for an additional fee. This allows you to stay on track and meet the learning requirements for that session.
Full details are available in our Attendance & Make-Up Policy.
Hours, Assessments, and Graduation
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Your Mat Certification includes everything you need to build strong teaching foundations:
150 hours of structured education
Comprehensive online modules (including Anatomy Foundations)
Beautifully designed digital manuals
Teaching labs (virtual or in person)
A full Mat repertoire video library
Logbook and teaching templates
Ongoing educator support and community access
You’ll finish with a complete foundation in anatomy, alignment, cueing, and teaching skills.
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Your logbook is where you build real confidence. It includes three types of learning hours:
Self-Practice
Self-practice includes two parts:
1. Participation Hours (10 hours required)
These are hours spent taking Mat Pilates classes — in person or online — to help you embody the work and understand class flow.2. Self-Study Hours (remaining self-practice hours)
These may include:
Reviewing online modules
Rewatching repertoire videos
Reading manuals
Writing class flows
Practicing cueing and class planning
Refining your own movement patterns
Observation
Watching experienced instructors teach — online or in person — to learn cueing, sequencing, pacing, and how teachers support different bodies.
Practice Teaching
Teaching real people such as friends, family, classmates, or clients. This is where you develop your teaching voice, clarity, and confidence.
You can complete your hours at home, online, or at a local studio (with permission). We provide clear guidelines and templates so you always know what counts and how to track your hours with confidence.
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You don’t need anything complicated.
All you need is:
A comfortable mat
A stable internet connection
A phone, tablet, or computer for online modules
Optional props like blocks, a ball, or pillows can be helpful, but they’re not required.
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We’ll guide you through each step so you feel prepared.
To graduate, you’ll complete:
A knowledge check at the end of Phase 1
A written exam
A practical teaching exam
A final teaching portfolio
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That’s okay. You can retake the exam for a small fee.
If this happens, we’ll guide you on exactly what to refine so you feel confident and supported heading into your next attempt. Full details are outlined in our Assessment & Retake Policy.
After Certification
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Yes. The Mat Certification prepares you for real teaching environments and helps you build a polished teaching portfolio you can share with studios.
While we can’t guarantee employment, SPRING graduates are teaching in studios, and opening their own studios, across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, with Australia launching soon. You’ll enter the industry with strong foundations, supportive educators, and a global community behind you.
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SPRING graduates are teaching and building careers across the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe and beyond, in Pilates studios, gyms, fitness and wellness spaces, private settings and their own businesses.
Certification recognition can vary by country, employer and regulatory body, so if you’re planning to teach in a specific location, we recommend checking any local requirements that may apply. Our team is always happy to help you explore how your SPRING Mat Certification can support your goals.
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Not at all.
Some students take the Mat Certification to deepen their personal practice or explore movement education. Others discover a passion for teaching along the way. The path is yours, and there’s no pressure to decide upfront.
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After completing Mat, many graduates begin teaching right away, continue refining their skills through practice, or move into additional certifications such as Reformer or Pre & Postnatal.
You’ll remain connected to the SPRING community and have ongoing access to support, resources, and next-step opportunities as your teaching journey evolves.