Where traditional Pilates Meets Modern Fitness - from the studio that made athletic pilates famous in la.

At Pilatesmith, we know that people want fitness from Pilates. So we teach it that way - as a sweaty, heart-pumping workout that delivers on fitness goals.

That means you can’t be a great Pilates Trainer if you learn Pilates in a silo - you have to learn fitness, programming, and coaching too.

This 450-hour program is comprehensive. And comprehensive means more than equipment - it means skill. We develop Trainers who are ready to teach on day one, because they learned how to coach and program - not just recite cues. Where other certification programs lack depth and perspective, our program is different:

• Master both Classical and Contemporary repertoires

• Train on the most popular equipment, not just the Reformer

• Understand fitness, not just Pilates

• Learn how to coach, not just recite cues

• Get experience programing classes and Privates

• One-stop shop - everything you need is included

You’ll graduate studio-ready, confident, and in high demand. Because a competent Trainer who can teach classically and athletically is what what today’s studios are hiring for, and what today’s clients want.

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

ENROLL NOW!

Enrollment for Fall 2026 is open through Sunday, August 9th.

FALL 2026 KEY DATES

• Enrollment Closes: Sunday, August 9

• Program Starts: Friday, August 21

Sign up for our emails below, or follow us on Instagram at @pilatesmith for updates. If you have a question, email us! Our Founder is happy to speak with you and answer any questions you have.

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, 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.

Everyone is paired with a Pilatesmith Trainer for 1:1 mentorship and coaching so you always feel supported.

a COMPRehensive program

This 450-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

• 245 hours Self-Practice, Observation, Practice Teaching

• 50 hours Programming

• 30 hours Supervised Tests, “Real-World” Teaching

• 20 hours 1:1 Coaching

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

Dates for the Fall 2026 semester are:

• Weekend 1: August 21-23

• Weekend 2: August 28-30

• Weekend 3: September 4-6 *Note that this is Labor Day weekend

• Weekend 4: September 25-27

• Weekend 5: October 16-18

• Weekend 6: October 23-25

• Weekend 7: October 30-November 1

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 coursework has to be completed in order to graduate, so if you miss coursework you’ll need to make it up. You can make it up during your semester to stay on track at the rate of $50 an hour, or defer and take those modules the semester immediately following yours. If you miss 30% or more you will be asked to defer, and if you miss 50% (10 of the or more, you forfeit the course.

Cost

Total cost for the entire program including coursework, mentorship, and studio access is only $4,500. Unlike other programs, this cost covers you through the completion of your hours, and there there are no hidden costs.

There are two payment options:

1. Pay in Full

2. Payment Plan

   • 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 enrolled you are committed to the full cost. No cancellations or refunds at any time for any reason (no exceptions).

COURSEWORK syllabus

• Program Overview

• Introduction to Athletic Pilates

• Anatomy

• Kinesiology 101

• Biomechanics 101

• Fitness Training 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 Lead a Flawless Virtual Session

• Music Psychology & Playlist Curation

• I'm Certified! Now What?

PREREQUISTIES

While we do not require it, we strongly suggest taking as many Pilates classes as you can before the program begins, whether that’s at Pilatesmith or another studio. We’ve found it’s very helpful if you have a basic understanding of the method, the space, and how sessions are conducted so that you have context for the material.

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!