Pilates Australasian Alliance calls for regulations for minimum training and qualifications for teaching

Amid a rise in popularity of the activity, the Pilates Australasian Alliance (PAA) is advocating for regulations to be introduced to mandate minimum training and qualifications before people can teach Pilates.

For an instructor to be recognised by a professional association such as the PAA or Australian Pilates Method Association, they must hold a qualification from an organisation that is nationally recognised organisation.

However, media reports suggest that injuries among Pilates participants are rising.

Currently, Pilates is largely unregulated with no restrictions on who can open up a studio and teach classes.

Identified by the Australian Sports Commission's AusPlay survey as the fifth most common exercise for adults - participation numbers rose by 145,037 between 2021 and 2022.

Pilates teacher and studio owner Stacey Smith is concerned that a growing number of studios could mean a rise in underqualified teachers.

Speaking to the ABC last week shed advised "anyone with a certificate 3 in fitness can come in and teach.

"I disagree with that - I think you need to do a certificate 4, minimum, in reformer and mat Pilates.

"It's such a grey area - you get injured clients, pre and postnatal clients.

"You need to know a bit about anatomy, physiology, the way the reformer works and what modifications you can give."

PAA President, Robyn Rix noted "there is a risk of injury in Pilates.

"We are working with a moving platform and springs, so a clear understanding of the risks and how to mitigate them has to be covered through comprehensive training.

"Would you go to a hairdresser who's done a weekend course? You're putting your whole body in someone's hands."

Rix went on to say "over the last year I've heard so many reports of injuries in Pilates studios."

PAA recommends people check the Pilates studio uses instructors who have either done government accredited training or are a member of the organisation before going to a class.

She added "we expect courses to be at least 500 hours.

"We also check they're up to date with insurance and first aid.

"We are calling for (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - AHPRA) or the Australian Physiotherapy Association to set standards for Pilates training for physiotherapists.

An AHPRA spokesperson said Pilates was not a registered health profession and decisions about which health professions were regulated were for the Federal Health Minister's to make.

The spokesperson told the ABC "practitioners registered in the professions of physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic have particular knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, using a range of therapies that may include exercise-based intervention," the spokesperson said.

Established in 2000 as an independent, non-profit regulatory body to oversee the quality and integrity of Pilates education, PAA advises on its website that “recently, there have been important discussions taking place in the Pilates industry in Australia and internationally regarding the harmful and exclusionary words and actions of an Australian based teacher training organisation.

“This organisation is in no way affiliated with the PAA. Its courses are not recognised for PAA membership as it neither meets PAA course requirements (Course Competency Criteria) nor PAA ethical standards (Code of Ethics).”

It notes, if you have a concern about any practices in the Pilates industry in Australia, please contact us at info@pilates.org.au

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