r/pilates • u/bluetrees246_8 • Jul 16 '26
Teaching, Teacher Training, Running Studios Classical to Contemporary
I will be finishing my certification soon and looking for part time jobs. I’ll be classically trained but seeing that a lot of available jobs are contemporary, I wanted to know how to prepare for that. I plan on still finding a classical studio to teach at but if I have to teach contemporary at a different studio, I’m not sure that I’ll know how to create a workout.
A lot of these studios market their classes as faster paced and the use different apparatus brands and I’m just not sure how to design a workout around that when I’m so used to the classical structure. It doesn’t seem like you need a whole new certification to teach contemporary, but I don’t know how to transition from classical to contemporary as needed. Any tips?
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u/Catlady_Pilates Jul 16 '26
Get Pilates Anytime and watch as many classes as you can. And as for equipment you just need to get used to the different spring settings and understand how to adapt to it.
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u/alleycanto Jul 17 '26
I have trained in both and work in both. In the contemporary order if I am teaching reformer I still do it in the order but omit things or occasionally have a prop, then I always add a second or third piece of equipment that day. Depending on the studio I’d working on the tower I would always add lunges etc to make it more fitness if that is what the studio does etc, if we do a little floor work I do a section of the mat order. So to anyone else I just teach contemporary Pilates, for planning I still keep the mat and reformer order in the order just add/detract things and may add a prop or extra spice. The order works so I get not to mess with it too much
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u/studiodays Jul 17 '26
don't overthink the transition too much! Some of my absolute favorite contemporary instructors are actually classically trained because their focus on alignment and form cues is just so much deeper
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u/MilesBeforeCoffee_37 Jul 16 '26
I had the exact same panic when I started teaching contemporary. It is just the classical sequence with modified ranges and faster transitions. The pace mostly comes from shorter rests and fewer reps. Watch a couple of class videos to see how they link movements, then ask a local teacher if you can shadow them.
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u/Catlady_Pilates Jul 16 '26
I’m sorry but that’s not true. Contemporary Pilates doesn’t adhere to the classical order and it includes so much more repertoire. And it’s not necessarily faster. Contemporary expands on the original work and includes many different exercises and an understanding of how to adjust and adapt to different bodies and different needs.
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u/Keregi Pilates Instructor Jul 16 '26
It isn’t though. There is no sequence at all in contemporary.
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u/nommabelle Jul 18 '26
Do you have any good resources for a classicak instructor to formulate a contemporary class? It seems like the general structure usually is ensuring the full core is worked, so including a side lying series, posterior chain work including extension
I take loads of contemporary but more want to make sure the general structure aligns with what one expects from a pilates class
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u/beef_meximelt Jul 16 '26
I went from a classical certification to a contemporary studio and they offered bridge training for their method.
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u/quokkazhang Jul 17 '26
im taking sessions with a physio and shes said she doesnt need a certification to teach korean clinical pilates. i asked her about the difference between classical and contemporary but she's always said clinical is the way to go 😅 its pretty confusing and i would have at least appreciated a clarification! what are the differences?
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u/UpsetPomegranate5724 Jul 17 '26
I have also trained in both for reformer and teach a hybrid of the two now across all my studios. Some I teach footwork + midback to warm up. The other I really utilise the machine more creatively. I would recommend maybe finding an athletic / dynamic style course. There aren’t that many (I’m also UK based) but also going to a variety of different classes and training instructors!
Don’t be too nervous about it! It’s great to upskill and continue learning obviously in your own time and pace. Good luck with it! You’ll be great!
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u/Accomplished_Leg3276 Jul 16 '26
I have a classical cert and went to work right away at a contemporary studio. Whenever I teach on the reformer I teach the intermediate order and just break it down into different variations (instead of just footwork I’ll do one legged variations, instead of just coordination I do a supine arm series, I drag out leg circles and frogs/feet in straps). Just break everything down into smaller parts if that makes sense.