Pilates instructor
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Pilates instructor
Description
A professional who, after appropriate training and certification, directs exercise programs based on the Pilates training technique. This method, created by the German Joseph H. Pilates during the first World War, works on muscular balance and body flexibility by using controlled exercises performed on specific machines. For many years Pilates trainers worked especially for elite dancers and athletes, but this technique has now become popular and different variants and schools associated with the method have been created.
Tasks
- Instruct students on the philosophy behind Pilates and the basic principles it rests on: concentration, control, focus, fluidity, precision and breathing.
- Proceed to a preliminary interview to find out about any potential health problems experienced by customers and be able to adjust the classes to their needs.
- Carry out a series of exercises to help assess the physical condition of participants during the first session and subsequently choose the most effective training programme.
- Program the sessions, including the relevant exercise routines.
- Be familiar with the body of exercises involved in the Pilates method (there are about 300 and variations thereof ); know how to explain them to students and execute them.
- Be familiar with all the machines designed for this method: reformer, cadillac, barrel, chair, etc., how these are operated and their best use to exercise each muscle.
- Carry out a very close follow-up of the exercises carried out by the student, guiding and correcting his/her movements, posture, breathing, etc.
- be familiar with the verbal, tactile and mental image resources required to allow the accurate execution of the movements by customers.
- Sometimes adapt the Pilates programme for children, pregnant women, office workers, the elderly or the disabled.
- Also adapt the Pilates programme to post-injury rehabilitation and post-operative processes.
- Carry out Pilates floor exercises for groups, or work with small accessories such as flexible rings, gym balls, balance disks, etc. This type of session may involve transition and choreography work.
