A modern program from the studio that made athletic pilates famous in los angeles

We love Pilates. Like, a lot. And we recognize that we can introduce Pilates to more people if it's taught the way today’s customers want it: as a sweaty workout that delivers on fitness goals. This certification program was built to prepare you for today’s Pilates-goer who is turning to Pilates for a fitness option.

We offer certification courses in the fall and spring, with the next one being offered Spring 2026.

Are you ready to become a Certified Athletic Pilates Trainer? Of course you are.

Sign up for our emails or follow us on Instagram at @pilatesmith for updates. Or if you have a question now? Email us!

we build confident trainers

This program is different in that we'll approach teaching Pilates through exercise science and help you actually understand exercises and their impact on the body—not just memorize springs, rep counts, and cues.

This program goes beyond the exercises. Instead of just learning proper technique for exercises, you’ll also learn leveling and loading strategies, how to program, how to own a group room, and how to ace a Private session so you graduate confident and ready to conquer any format, at any level, at any studio.

Each Trainee is paired with a Pilatesmith Trainer for 1:1 mentorship and coaching so they feel supported.

a COMPRehensive program

This 420-hour program is comprehensive in that you’ll learn to teach the Classical repertoire and Contemporary exercises across the most popular apparatus: Mat, Reformer, Chair, and Cadillac. You’ll find a detailed syllabus of the in-studio coursework below.

Similar to other programs, this one consists of in-studio coursework hours, "on-your-own” hours, and testing hours. But with our program, you have access to our studios so practicing and studying for your tests is easy.

• 105 hours In-Studio Coursework

• 215 hours Self-Practice, Observation, Practice Teaching

• 30 hours Supervised Tests, Practicals, and 1:1 Coaching

• 50 hours Programming

• 20 hours Mentorship

Each trainee who graduates from the program earns the credential of Certified Athletic Pilates Trainer (CAPT). This certification will qualify you to teach at any Pilates studio.

SCHEDULE

The in-studio coursework schedule for the Spring 2026 semester will be announced in December 2025.

There are 7 weekends of intensive studio coursework. Each weekend is 15 hours: 3-6pm on Fridays, 1-7pm on Saturdays, and 1-7pm on Sundays. Odd numbered weekends are at the Culver studio, and even numbered weekends are at the Santa Monica studio.

All in-studio coursework has to be completed in order to graduate, so if you have to miss coursework you will schedule time to make it up at the rate of $50 an hour. In the case that you miss more than 30% of the coursework, you can forfeit the course or you can make it up by attending those workshops during the semester immediately following yours.

Cost

Total cost for the entire program including coursework, mentorship, and studio access is only $4,500. Unlike other programs, there are no hidden costs for materials or prerequisites. The only additional cost would be if you need to make up in-studio coursework that you miss at the rate of $50 an hour.

There are two payment options:

1. Pay in Full (avoid the credit card convenience fee by paying with a bank account)

2. Payment Plan - 4 Payment total

   • Pay $1,000 to reserve your spot

   • Then, 3 monthly payments of $1,1667.67 will be charged on the 15th of each month

Space is limited so once you are enrolled you are committing to the full cost. There are no cancellations or refunds at any time for any reason (no exceptions).

In-studio COURSEWORK syllabus

• Welcome & Program Overview

• Introduction to Athletic Pilates

• Anatomy

• Biomechanics 101

• Kinesiology 101

• Fitness Trainer 101

• Athletic Pilates Foundations

• Mat Classical & Contemporary Exercises

• Reformer Classical & Contemporary Exercises

• Cadillac Classical & Contemporary Exercises

• Chair Classical & Contemporary Exercises

• TRX, Accessories & Props

• Athletic Pilates Programming

• Athletic Pilates Leveling

• Athletic Pilates Loading Strategies

• Prenatal & Postnatal

• Common Medical Conditions

• Mobility

• Recovery

• How to Own a Group Room

• How to Ace a Private Training Session

• How to Have a Flawless Virtual Session

• Music Psychology & Playlist Curation

• I'm Certified! Now What?

studio locations

Pilatesmith Santa Monica: 2110 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA. 90405

Pilatesmith Culver City: 12450 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles CA. 90066

REVIEWS

Questions?

We’re here to help! Emailing is the best way to reach us, and if you prefer a phone call we can set something up!