Intensive reformer course: Mat and Reformer training in Johannesburg and Cape Town
What our accredited intensive reformer course covers, how it is structured, and what you need to enrol. Download the info pack for dates and fees.
An intensive reformer course teaches you to plan and teach safe, effective Reformer classes, from basic to advanced level, for clients of every age and ability. At Pilates Dynamics you can take the Intensive Reformer course on its own if you already hold a Mat qualification, or combine it with our Mat & Small Equipment training in one Mat & Intensive Reformer programme. Both are taught at our Randburg studio in Johannesburg, with Cape Town dates available on request.
Why train in both Mat and Reformer?
Mat work is the foundation of the Pilates method. The Reformer gets most of the attention, but the principles you learn on the mat (breathing, alignment, core control and progressions) are exactly what make you a confident Reformer teacher. That is why a Mat qualification is the basis for all our equipment courses.
We have met many students who arrived wanting to go straight onto the Reformer, only to find their earlier Mat training had left them with little confidence to teach. Training in both, with the same lecturers and the same approach, gives you a joined-up understanding of the full repertoire and how to adapt it for different bodies.
What the intensive reformer course covers
Every exercise is taught in depth: how to set up, how to execute it, cues and watchpoints, muscle focus, exercise objectives, props and choreography changes, plus contra-indications and recommendations for different body types, population groups and injuries. You learn the why, when and how of each movement, not just the movement itself.
The Mat section
- Pilates-related anatomy, so you understand how muscles function and which exercises are and aren’t appropriate for a client
- Pre-Pilates exercises: the foundation level, warm-up repertoire and rehabilitation-friendly work
- Levels 1, 2 and 3, from slightly more complex exercises through to advanced work for athletes and dancers, each with variations, props and assists
The Reformer section
- Basic, intermediate and advanced Reformer repertoire
- Programmes for specific populations, including pre- and post-natal clients, clients with osteoporosis, and clients with neck, back, shoulder, hip, foot and ankle issues
- Class design, dynamic assessment and correcting common dysfunctional movement patterns
Skills that run through both
- Developing your cueing, coaching and teaching skills
- Observing and analysing posture and movement patterns
- Safety information for teaching older adults, pre- and post-natal women and clients with injuries
How the course is structured
The Mat & Intensive Reformer combination is a 155-hour programme; standalone Intensive Reformer training is 70 hours. Lectures are followed by practical hours made up of self-practice, observation and client teaching, which you can complete in our fully equipped studio. Groups are small (4 to 10 students), and if group dates don’t suit you, private one-on-one lectures can be arranged at times that work for you. Lectures can also be followed online, supported by the course manual and our exercise video library.
Alongside lectures you get extra guidance to prepare you for the exams:
- Revision tutorials with time for questions and answers
- Supervised teaching of real client classes, with feedback from a senior instructor
- Videos of every exercise in the manual
- Practice tests before the exams
- A final exam made up of a theory paper and practical exams, with a pass mark of 70%
Exams run three times a year (March, July and October), and you have a full calendar year from your start date to complete the course. The training is accredited with REPSSA (20 CPD points), SASP (26 CEUs for Reformer, 30 for Mat) and BASA. You can read more about how these compare in our guide to Pilates certification in South Africa.
Who the course suits and what you need to enrol
The course suits physiotherapists, biokineticists, occupational therapists, dancers, personal trainers and fitness professionals, as well as people changing careers who are passionate about movement. Age is not a barrier: what matters is the effort and consistency you put into your practical hours and ongoing learning.
Before you enrol you need:
- For the Mat & Intensive Reformer combination: at least 10 Mat classes and 10 Reformer classes
- For Intensive Reformer training on its own: a Mat qualification and at least 10 Reformer classes
Frequently asked questions
Can I teach Reformer without a Mat qualification?
No. Mat training is the foundation of the Reformer course. If you aren’t Mat qualified yet, the combination course lets you do both in one programme.
Why not do a shorter or online-only course?
Condensed courses often leave too little time to cover anatomy, injuries and modifications properly, and many graduates only discover the gaps when they apply for jobs. Our course combines lectures with supervised practical hours in a real studio.
How much does the course cost?
Fees and current start dates are in the info pack, and payment plans of up to six months are available. Our post on Pilates instructor course cost explains what is included.
Enrol in the intensive reformer course
Ready to take the next step? Explore the Intensive Reformer and combination courses, download the info pack for current dates and fees, or register online. Questions? Call 011 792 5459 or 072 999 2229, or email info@pilatesdynamics.co.za.
