Curious About Certification?
Most reputable certification institutes allow only one training site per state, and our region is already served by existing sites. Therefore, Raleigh Pilates does not offer a certification program at this time. Majority of the Raleigh Pilates instructors are certified through Balanced Body or Polestar, and fortunately both certification programs are available nearby:
Balanced Body (450-500 hrs) is hosted here in Raleigh at Remedy Movement with Melissa Kakavas.
Polestar (450-500 hrs) is offered in Siler City at Southwind Retreat Center with Brent Anderson and his team.
There are many reputable institutes out there but these are the two we have the most experience with and cannot recommend either program enough!
Balanced Body and Polestar are both highly respected Pilates certification programs, but they differ slightly in structure, cost, and emphasis. Balanced Body tends to be more modular and flexible, with courses scheduled over multiple weekends (somewhat self paced) and costing approximately $5,000–$6,000 in total, depending on location and materials. It’s often favored by instructors who want a straightforward, equipment-based approach with a focus on anatomy and teaching skills. Polestar, on the other hand, offers a more holistic, rehabilitation-informed approach with a slightly higher cost—typically around $6,000–$7,500—and a more intensive educational framework. Polestar places strong emphasis on movement science and critical thinking. Both take about a year to complete, require similar apprentice hours, and produce highly skilled instructors.
Once you’ve selected your institute and begin training, we invite you to enroll in the Raleigh Pilates Studio Access Program to fulfill your required hours leading up to your test out date. To give you an idea of what to expect from training, each apparatus (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, barrels, anatomy and movement principles) is taught over a series of weekend modules. After completing the in-person training, students are required to log a set number of hours in personal practice, observation, and practice teaching for each piece of equipment. You’re encouraged to begin working toward your required hours as soon as your training begins.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have further questions!
