ADVANCED PROGRAM
Master the Classical Method. Elevate your teaching. Embody the full system.
The Advanced Program at Pilates Education Lab is designed for dedicated instructors ready to complete their journey through the full Classical Pilates system—from foundational skills to the Advanced and Super Advanced levels of both Mat and Apparatus work.
This program builds directly on the Intermediate Teacher Training Program, expanding your technical repertoire, deepening your teaching precision, and helping you embody the complete method as envisioned by Joseph Pilates. More than just learning new exercises, you’ll develop the refined skill of seeing the system as a whole—connecting earlier repertoire to its most advanced expressions, and learning how to guide clients safely and intelligently across the spectrum.
Already certified? Certified Pilates Teachers may audit the Advanced lecture weekends for Continuing Education Credits (CECs) without additional requirements.
Program Overview & Hours
The Advanced Program totals 800 hours, which includes all Intermediate Program hours plus additional coursework, practice, and teaching requirements. This rigorous and rewarding experience provides the essential structure to confidently step into the role of an expert-level teacher.
▸ Lecture/Lab Hours – 160 Total
- 120 Hours – Six Lecture/Demonstration Weekends (18 hours each) + 1 Lecture/Demonstration Weekend of 12 hours
- 10 Hours – Anatomy Camp
- 33 Hours – PEL Teaching Labs (weekly 50-minute teaching-focused workshops)
▸ Independent Practice, Teaching, and Observation
- 150 Hours – Self-Guided Practice
- 100 Hours – Observation (up to 50% may be completed online)
- 125 Hours – Practice Teaching: Private Lessons
- 75 Hours – Practice Teaching: Group Classes
- 40 Hours – Assistant Teaching: Group Classes
▸ Student Classes + Specialized Lessons
- 75 Apparatus Classes (up to 20% may be online)
- 25 Mat Classes (up to 50% may be online)
- 34 Focused Lessons, including:
- 9 Observed Practice Sessions (with feedback)
- 5 Private Lessons to explore questions or refine technique
- 20 Observed Teaching Sessions (with notes and mentorship)
▸ Mentorship + Testing
- 5 Hours – One-on-one Mentorship (in person or via Zoom/phone)
- 8 Hours – Test-Outs
- 4 Practical Exams – (1 Mat + 3 Apparatus)
- 4-Hour Written Exam – (2 Mat + 2 Apparatus)
Advanced Program Lecture Weekends
Your 120 total Lecture/Demonstration hours include seven weekend lectures.
Weekend 6: Advanced & Super Advanced Apparatus Repertoire
Explore and embody the most complex, challenging, and sophisticated work in the Classical Pilates system on the full range of apparatus:
- Reformer
- Wunda Chair & Electric Chair
- Cadillac / Tower
- Ladder Barrel & Spine Corrector
REQUIRED PRIVATE LESSONS FOR THE ADVANCED PROGRAM
The 34 hours of specific Private Lessons required for the Advanced Program are as follows:
Breakdown of Advanced Program Required Privates
9 Hours of Observed Practice (OP) – with notes
- OP – Beg/Int Mat
- OP – Beg/Int Reformer
- OP – Beg/Int Chair
- OP – Beg/Int Cadillac/Tower
- OP – Beg/Int Periphery
- OP – Adv Mat
- OP – Adv Reformer
- OP – Adv Chair
- OP – Adv Cadillac/Tower
20 Hours of Observed Teaching (OT) – with notes
- OT – Mat Fund/Beg level client
- OT – Mat Int/Adv level client
- OT – Beg Reformer
- OT – Int Reformer
- OT – Adv Reformer
- OT – Beg/Int Chair
- OT – Int Cadillac/Tower
- OT – Adv Cadillac/Tower
- OT – Beg Chair
- OT – Int Chair
- OT – Adv Chair
- OT –Periphery – Barrels
- OT -Periphery – Other Apparatus
- OT – Special populations
- OT – Special populations
- OT – Comprehensive Workout – Beg
- OT – Comprehensive Workout – Beg/Int
- OT – Comprehensive Workout – Int/Adv
- OT – Comprehensive Workout – Adv
- OT – Comprehensive Workout – Adv
5 Additional Privates to ask questions and review – can be interactive OP or OT
with a client
ADVANCED PROGRAM COST
Lecture Series:
$6000 for the 7 weekends (108 hours)
$5800 if paid in full in advance
Texts:
$60 (approximate cost)
Workbooks:
$315 for all 5 workbooks
Private Lessons:
*Prices vary (discounts given)
Group Classes:
*Prices vary (discounts given)
Mat Classes:
*Prices vary (discounts given)
Anatomy Camp:
TBD – Approx $500
Test Out Fees:
$400 ($150 Mat, $250 Apparatus)
*TOTAL:
$7015 – $7215 (not including lessons and classes)
*Class and lesson prices vary depending on the type of class and experience level of the teacher. There are a limited number of work-study options available at both Studios.
Why Complete the Advanced Training?
This program is not just about gaining hours or memorizing exercises—it’s about developing into a fully embodied Classical Pilates educator. You’ll cultivate:
- Precision in teaching the full system
- Confidence to lead advanced and adaptive clients
- Depth in cueing, sequencing, and client progression
- A holistic, systems-level understanding of Pilates as a method of transformation
By completing the Advanced Program, you’ll join a lineage of instructors who honor the integrity of the Classical work while confidently teaching it to modern bodies in real-world contexts.
Are You Ready to Embody the Full Classical System?
If you’re passionate about deepening your craft, committed to excellence, and ready to step into your role as a fully certified Classical Pilates teacher, the Advanced Program at Pilates Education Lab will take you there—with integrity, support, and masterful instruction.
ADVANCED LECTURE/DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULE
PEL Teacher Training – Weekend 1 (BEG/INT Mat) 10/10/2025-10/12/2025
PEL Teacher Training – Weekend 2 (BEG Apparatus) 11/7/2025- 11/9/2025
PEL Teacher Training – Weekend 3 (INT/ADV Mat) 1/30/2026-2/1/2026
PEL Teacher Training – Weekend 4 (INT Apparatus) 2/6/2026- 2/8/2026
PEL Teacher Training – Weekend 5 (Refinement and Mastery) 4/17/2026- 4/19/2026
PEL Teacher Training – Weekend 6 – (ADV/SUPER ADV Rep) 5/1/2026- 5/3/2026
PEL Teacher Training – Weekend 7 (Integration & The Art of Teaching) 5/16/2026- 5/17/2026