Is a Fully Comprehensive Pilates Certificate Worth It?

Is a fully comprehensive Pilates certificate worth it? Do you really need a fully comprehensive Pilates certificate to work in the industry - or can you get away with just reformer? In this video, I break down the real differences between working in Pilates vs the wider fitness industry, when a comprehensive qualification actually matters, and why you don’t have to do everything at once to build a long-term career. We talk honestly about: Reformer vs fully comprehensive training Studio pay, one-to-one work, and realistic income expectations Certifying over time vs all at once Which routes make sense depending on where and how you want to work If you’re considering becoming a Pilates instructor — or deciding your next education step — this video will help you make a strategic, financially realistic choice. . 💬 Questions? Message me on Instagram — they shape future videos. @laurenchapelhow_pilates 🕒 Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:01 – Do you need your fully comprehensive certificate? 01:20 – The key questions to ask before choosing a qualification 05:44 – If you want to open a studio... 06:55 – Certifying over time (an alternative option...) 10:13 – NPCP Test (alternative option no.2....) 11:35 – Fitness Industry vs Pilates Industry 08:55 – Why comprehensive studios don’t always pay more 10:05 – Certifying over time: breaking comprehensive into modules 11:35 – Costs, tax deductions & realistic timelines 12:45 – Alternative route: national Pilates certification exam 13:55 – Final advice: choosing Pilates vs fitness as a career path 14:40 – Outro & what to watch next Certifications: (all the prices are correct on date of publishing 13/12/2026 - the list is also not extensive - many small studios will also offer courses and have included one of those at the bottom). APPI: Chair £346 sale price (£660 usual): https://appihealthgroup.com/buy/split... Cadillac £714 sale price (£1364 usual) https://appihealthgroup.com/buy/cadil... Arc Barrel £180 sale price (£240 usual) STOTT: Cadillac, Chair & Barrel (at date of filming only upcoming in Canada) https://www.merrithew.com/instructor-... Chair only £655: https://www.ymcafit.org.uk/courses/st... Barrel only £575: https://www.ymcafit.org.uk/courses/st... Balanced Body: Chair $600 USD (education in UK priced in USD) https://www.pilates.com/class/pilates... Trapeze/Cadillac/Tower $671 USD https://www.pilates.com/class/trapeze... James Shaw: Tower/Cadillac £595 https://www.jamesshawpilates.com/cadi... Wunda Chair £495 https://www.jamesshawpilates.com/high... NPCP test/resources: All about NPCP https://nationalpilatescertificationp... Link to NPCP study guide (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4bwEE8N