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Polestar Pilates qualifications are designed to successfully bring you to a level of mastery, preparing you to become a competent Pilates Practitioner in the training method of your choice (Studio, Mat, Reformer and Rehabilitation). Polestar's competency exams measure your ability to justify your exercise selections or treatment plan.

Polestar's flexible design allows you to attend courses on weekends, minimizing time away from home and work. Time between courses to study, observe and practice allows you to schedule courses based on mastery of the material and the amount of time and energy you can devote to your training.

You can earn Polestar qualifications in Studio, Reformer, Mat and Rehabilitation. The diagram below shows the qualifications according to the level of training they require.

Polestar courses follow the progression illustrated below. For those taking more than one qualification program in the Fitness series, the Fitness Principles course (P-F) is required only one time.

The flow charts below show the modular training progression for the Comprehensive (Rehabilitation and Studio) courses as well as the Fitness courses (Mat and Reformer). Each box in the chart depicts a 2 day course module.

Each of the Comprehensive modules (Rehabilitation and Studio 1-6) includes a Special Focus Topic (Postural Assessment, Imagery, Movement Acquisition (Motor Control), Tactile Cueing, Communication and Energy Medicine) providing essential information for professional Pilates teachers. The Focus Topic is studied in depth in the form of a lecture and applied to all the exercises learned in the module. 

Self Mastery and Mentorship Programme

Registered Studio, Reformer, Mat or Rehabilitation Course participants may enjoy preferential rates for hands on training and practice during the time between modules by participating in all or some of the activities listed below. Polestar offers this Mentorship Programme to reflect the great importance placed on practice, observation and self mastery in achieving the highest possible instructor standards

Fitness qualification

Fitness qualification in Mat, Reformer and Studio is available to personal trainers and group exercise instructors, as well as instructors of movement arts such as dance, yoga, and Tai Chi, and practitioners of somatic movement such as Feldenkrais® and Alexander® techniques. Polestar offers the most comprehensive qualification exams in the field of Pilates-evolved techniques.

Studio qualification

The Studio qualification exam consists of three parts:

1. A written exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions (50 points)
2. A case study with written problem solving (50 points)
3. A practical one-on-one demonstration of theoretical knowledge, exercise mastery, movement teaching skills and problem solving skills with an oral defence (50 points)

The written portion of the exam (parts 1 and 2) lasts approximately two hours in total, and part 3 lasts approximately one hour. The entire exam is worth a total of 150 points. The candidate will need a collective passing score of 120 points or higher to be certified.

Studio qualification candidates will design a programme based on information from a Polestar fitness screening and functional testing. The oral defence addresses theory, justification of exercise selection and modification, precautions and contraindications. Candidates will be evaluated on exercise selection and modification, sequencing, accuracy, verbal and tactile cueing and the quality of the instruction.

Polestar strongly recommends that Studio qualification candidates complete 350 practice hours in preparation for the exam. Practice hours should comprise mastery of exercises taught in S-1, S-2, S-3; observation of relevant videos and of Polestar Certified Practitioners working in a teaching setting; and teaching practice.

Prerequisites: P-F, S-1, S-2, S-3 (Phase 1)
                        P-F, S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6 (Phases 1 and 2)
                        Completion of a sufficient number of Observation, Self-Mastery and Apprentice Teaching hours.

Rehab qualification

 Rehabilitation qualification candidates will design a programme based on information from a the Case Study medical history report and Polestar functional testing. The oral defence addresses theory, justification of exercise selection and modification, precautions and contraindications. Candidates will be evaluated on exercise selection and modification, sequencing, accuracy, verbal and tactile cueing and the quality of the instruction.

Polestar strongly recommends that Rehabilitation qualification candidates complete 120 practice hours in preparation for the exam for each of Phase 1 and Phase 2. Practice hours should comprise mastery of exercises taught in R-1 through R-6; observation of relevant videos and of Polestar Certified Practitioners working in a teaching setting; and teaching practice
Prerequisites: P-R, R-1, R-2, R-3 (Phase 1)
                        P-R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6 (Phases 1 and 2)
                        Completion of a sufficient number of Observation, Self-Mastery and Apprentice Teaching hours. 

Mat qualification

The Mat qualification exam consists of three parts:

1. A one-hour written exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions (50 points)
2. A case study with written problem solving and class design (50 points)
3. Participation in a mock mat class. During this practical section the candidate both teaches a portion of a mat class and demonstrates their exercise performance as a ‘student’ in a class of 6-10 candidates. Candidates will be evaluated on exercise modification, sequencing, accuracy, verbal and tactile cueing and the quality of the instruction. (50 points)

The written portion of the exam (parts 1 and 2) lasts approximately two hours in total, and part 3 lasts approximately one hour. The entire exam is worth a total of 150 points. The candidate will need a collective passing score of 120 points or higher to achieve qualification.

Polestar strongly recommends that Mat qualification candidates complete 150 practice hours in preparation for the exam. Practice hours should comprise mastery of exercises taught in M-1, M-2, M-3; observation of relevant videos and of Polestar Certified Practitioners within the teaching environment; and teaching practice.

Prerequisites: P-F, M-1, M-2
                        Completion of a sufficient number of Observation, Self-Mastery and Apprentice Teaching hours.

Reformer qualification

The Reformer qualification exam consists of three parts:

1. A one-hour written exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions (50 points)
2. A case study with written problem solving and class design (50 points)
3. Participation in a mock Reformer class. During this practical section the candidate both teaches a portion of a Reformer class and demonstrates their exercise performance as a ‘student’ in a class of 6-10 candidates. Candidates will be evaluated on exercise modification, sequencing, accuracy, verbal and tactile cueing and the quality of the instruction. (50 points)

The written portion of the exam (parts 1 and 2) lasts approximately two hours in total, and part 3 lasts approximately one hour. The entire exam is worth a total of 150 points. The candidate will need a collective passing score of 120 points or higher to be certified.

Polestar strongly recommends that Reformer qualification candidates complete 150 practice hours in preparation for the exam. Practice hours should comprise mastery of exercises taught in Ref1, Ref2, Ref3; observation of relevant videos and of Polestar Certified Practitioners within the teaching environment; and teaching practice.

Prerequisites: P-F, Ref-1, Ref-2, Ref-3
                        Completion of a sufficient number of Observation, Self-Mastery and Apprentice Teaching hours.