Do I Need to Be “Good at Pilates” Before Starting Teacher Training?

One of the most frequent questions we hear from aspiring teachers is: “Do I need to be really advanced at Pilates before I can start Teacher Training?”

It’s a fair question. Many people imagine that before beginning, they should already be able to perform the most challenging exercises: the full Teaser, Snake, High Bridge, and more. But the reality is very different.

It’s Not About Perfection

Teacher Training is not an exam where you show up already knowing everything. It is a process of learning, refining, and deepening your understanding of the Pilates system.

What matters most is not whether you can execute the most advanced exercises flawlessly, but whether you are willing to:

• Commit to consistent, dedicated self-practice

• Stay curious about how movement feels in your own body

• Be open to feedback and mentorship

Your ability to demonstrate advanced exercises will grow during the programme. What you need at the start is a foundation in the basics, a willingness to learn, and the discipline to keep showing up.

Self-Practice Matters

At Altum, we place great emphasis on self-practice. This isn’t about “getting perfect” at the repertoire. It’s about developing an embodied understanding of the method. Only through consistent and dedicated self-practice can you build the sensitivity, control, and awareness needed to guide others.

For example:

• A tight hip flexor might limit your Teaser at first, but with regular practice across the system, you’ll gradually build the length and strength needed to progress.

• Struggling with extension? Through steady self-practice, you’ll not only develop your own capacity but also learn how to recognise the right time to progress a client safely.

These personal discoveries, the struggles and the breakthroughs, become your greatest teaching tools.

What We Look For in a Teacher Trainee

When we welcome new students into Teacher Training, we are not looking for physical perfection. Instead, we look for:

• A genuine love for Classical Pilates

• Curiosity about the method as a system, not just a set of exercises

• Commitment to consistent self-practice and study

• The humility to be a lifelong student

The best teachers are not the ones who look perfect on the mat. They are the ones who show up for their practice with dedication, and who can translate their own embodied learning into meaningful teaching for clients.

The Start of a Journey

So if you’re asking yourself, “Am I good enough yet to start Teacher Training?” - the answer is: if you are curious, disciplined, and willing to build a consistent self-practice, then yes.

Teacher Training is not the end point. It ‘s the beginning of a lifelong journey of practice, mentorship, and teaching. And the sooner you start, the sooner you begin building the depth and experience that no amount of waiting can give you.

If you’d like to explore whether Altum Academy’s Teacher Training is right for you, we invite you to book a private session with us. Experience the way we teach, and see if it resonates.