The exercise form of Pilates has only been around for about 90 years, but the number of people practicing it regularly has gone through the roof in the past few decades. Pilates instruction can be adapted for any fitness level and involves skills like balance, stretches, limb extensions and core strength exercises. The practice also focuses on resistance training and sometimes requires special equipment.

To become a Pilates instructor, you will need to have taken about one year of classes at your gym or studio. You will also need private lessons and at least one weekend of intensive training at a Pilates institution in order to teach as a beginner. Advanced Pilates teacher-training courses can take several weeks and include study of all levels of Pilates exercises from mat work to the proper use of machines that were invented early on.

When studying to be an instructor, you should look for classes in anatomy and physiology, special populations and teaching skills. You may also want to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field such as health and fitness management, as many gyms require that level of education. In these traditional classrooms or in online schools, seek out training in business, marketing and customer service skills because you will need regular clients to receive steady income.

There are no national or state standards for instructors, but a handful of organizations offer certification. Two major groups are the Yoga Alliance and Stott Pilates. Other groups offer training and testing solely online, but students who enroll in these programs should be aware that in-person instruction is important for things like proper form and injury risk reduction. Classes can cost between $70 for the basics to more than $3,000 for advanced programs. Interestingly, the term “Pilates” was once trademarked by a man who never studied with its founder, but his legal right to the name has been nullified by a U.S. Supreme Court decision which ruled that Pilates is a form of exercise like kickboxing or calisthenics so cannot be held under trademark status.

Pilates was developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, who had training in gymnastics, boxing, yoga, and several other fitness methods. First used to rehabilitate veterans of war, the system first known as “contrology” was also used early-on for women post-pregnancy. Now, thousands of people practice Pilates alongside exercise routines such as running or bicycling to maintain optimum fitness levels. Pilates is increasingly being combined with exercise forms like yoga. Classes in this discipline are known as Pilates-fusion workouts.

In the beginning, Joseph Pilates developed six principles for his method of exercise. They are centering (using core muscles to support the limbs), concentration, control of each movement, precision, breath and flow.  The sage teacher wanted to emphasize flexibility and gracefulness as well as strength. This means that as a Pilates instructor, you will automatically benefit by developing a well-toned and balanced body yourself.

Granting lasting health to students is one of the biggest reasons people choose to teach Pilates. Instructors also enjoy scheduling flexibility, plus they can learn to specialize in areas such as Pilates for recovering athletes or the elderly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about two-thirds of group exercise instructors worked part-time. Many, however, work for multiple companies or municipalities. As a Pilates instructor, be sure you take out fitness instructor insurance and be prepared to purchase your own health and life insurance policies. The average salary for a Pilates instructor starts at the national average wage for adult workers and increases slightly as experience and knowledge increase.