APPI Equipment Certification
The APPI Equipment Certification Process:
Tuition for the equipment training course is conducted over four two-day weekend teaching blocks. The series is flexible and allows participants to pay and attend weekend by weekend or to pay and commit to all four weekend modules (and receive a discount) at the time of booking. These four training levels must be completed within two years for those wanting to gain certification for the Modified Pilates equipment training. Certification for the Modified Pilates Equipment course requires satisfaction of the course pre-requisite tasks, completion of levels one to four, completion of hours of observation, self-practice and practice teaching. Certification is gained with successful completion of a practical and theory exam.
To complete the Equipment Certification Sereis you must have attended the APPI Matwork Level One course or another two day Pilates course.
Level 1 – Lumbo-pelvic stabilisation
The five key elements of the Modified Pilates approach are reviewed to reinforce solid foundations for Pilates teaching. The features of the Pilates equipment (the Reformer, the Cadillac, the split pedal chair, arc barrel and spine corrector) are explained in fine detail to ensure optimal posture, technique, comfort and safety. Theory and practical workshops review functional and surface anatomy of the spine, pelvis and hip.
32 movements for training lumbo-pelvic stabilisation on Pilates based equipment are learnt through self-participation, practice teaching and observation. Discussions of clinical application of the Pilates movements occurs at the time of their teaching and a presenter lead workshop on exercise selection provides participants with the understanding to be able to teach these exercises to patients and clients after the course. Case studies are reviewed and participants have the chance to design and discuss their own treatment plans. A guided workshop on imagery for the pelvis assists participants in generating the skills required for effective cueing.
(Two days, 16 hours)
Level 2 – Scapulo-thoracic Stabilisation
This course builds upon the movements, understanding, cueing skills and exercise selection framework of level one (Which must be completed prior to attending the level two course). Theory and practical workshops over the two days review functional and surface anatomy of the scapulo-thoracic region.
32 movements for training scapulo-thoracic stabilisation on reformer, cadillac, split pedal chair and barrels are learnt through self-participation, practice teaching and observation. Discussions of clinical application of the Pilates movements occurs at the time of their teaching and a presenter lead workshop on exercise selection provides participants with the understanding be able to teach these exercises to patients and clients after the course. Case studies are reviewed and participants have the chance to design and discuss their own treatment plans. A guided workshop on imagery for the neck and shoulders aims to further expand the communication and cueing skills of participants.
(Two days, 16 hours)
Level 3 – Spinal Articulation and Stretching
Flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion based movements as well as combined movements and stretches for the reformer, cadillac, split pedal chair and barrels are taught and practised. Participants learn a further 24 movements through observation, self-practice and practice teaching. The clinical application of all movements is discussed at their time of teaching and also through a presenter lead workshop in clinical application. Case studies are reviewed and participants have the chance to design and discuss their own treatment plans. Visual imagery for fluid spinal movement aims to assist participants to develop their cueing and facilitation skills.
(Two days, 16 hours)
Level 4 – Progressions and Planning
The final stage of the Modified Pilates equipment series provides therapists with 30 movements to enable patients and clients to progress to functional and high level rehabilitation using the Pilates equipment. These progressively more challenging exercises complete the rehabilitation programme. The series of workshops on posture, posture assessment, Pilates assessment and programme planning are designed to provide participants with skills in all aspects of teaching Pilates. Case studies are independently designed and discussed to enable participants to selectively apply the entire range of movements to specific populations by the end of the course.
(Two days, 16 hours)
APPI Equipment Certification Exam
Upon completion of Equipment Level 4 you are eligible to sit your certification exam. In order to gain certification you must sit your exam within 6 months of completing Equipment Level 4. All exams are held in London and are scheduled to a time and date that suits you and the examiner. This process allows us to ensure that our examination process is standardised by having a consistent examiner. Please be prepared for the exams by reviewing, self-practising and practise teaching your repertoire. Review the exam criteria below to ensure that you are prepared for the exams.
The Equipment Certification Log Book must also be completed in full and handed in to the examiner on the day of your certification exam.
The Modified Pilates Equipment certification exam consists of two parts:
1. A 60 minute written exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions on movement application, modification and contraindications.
2. A 60 minute practical exam on the design, application and teaching of a Pilates programme.
Both components of the Certification exam test knowledge on the movements themselves, movement selection, programme design and modification, contra-indications and facilitation. Overall ability to teach and facilitate efficient and correct movement and posture will be assessed. Explanations of clinical application will be requested. Participants are also expected to be able to demonstrate all movements from the repertoire learnt over the four levels.
Why Should I sit the Equipment Certification Exam?
•Gain a new career
• Stand out in an interview
• Start your own business
• Work wherever and whenever you like
• Demand a pay rise as a specialist physiotherapist
• Increase your results with patients and clients
• Gain a sporting team or corporate Pilates contract
APPI has spent years developing what is now recognised as the premier Pilates Rehabilitation program. By gaining a qualification as a Equipment Certified Pilates Instructor you are gaining an entire new career. In today’s’ world this qualification is just as valuable as your Physiotherapy degree. Many of our graduates are now running successful Pilates businesses, be it stand alone classes, studio’s or sporting and corporate contract work.
Equipment Certification Exam - Question and Answer:
Q What Will I be Asked to do for My Practical Exam?
AThe time allocated for the Practical exam is 90 minutes.
On entering you will be provided with a small case study description. You will have 10 minutes to design and plan a equipment session relevant to this case study. The session must involve all four pieces of equipment (reformer, trapeze table, split peddle chair and barrel/spine corrector). You will take a client (provided by APPI) through the workout you have planned while being watched by the examiner. You will then teach the exercises to your client as you would in normal practice. You are expected to be able to link the teaching in with the case presentation to ensure the client understands why they are doing these exercises relevant to their pathology. The examiner will ask you questions about the exercises you are teaching during the session. This will include modifications and variations of the exercise.
After the completion of your planned exercise session, you will be asked to perform four of the exercises from the APPI equipment manuals on each piece of equipment. You will be marked on your ability to perform the exercises correctly.
The following key points will form part of your examination:
Knowledge of the program: You are expected to know the names and levels of all exercises. We will expect instant recall of the exercises.
Motivational quality: A key part of teaching the APPI Method well is being an inspiring and motivating instructor. Please remember this. You will be marked on voice clarity, tone and motivation.
Ability to perform the exercise: One essential part of teaching the APPI Method is demonstration. You will be marked on your demonstrations of each exercise (do not forget to do this in your exam!), and you will be asked to complete random exercise of the examiners choice at the end of the teaching phase. Please ensure you have practiced the movements yourself, attended classes, and look to undertake some 1:1 sessions under our master trainers if you are worried about this at all.
Important General Info About All Exams
A completed log book is required prior to undertaking the exam. Please ensure the APPI has this before attending for your exam. The exam cannot proceed unless this has been received. A completed logbook includes three case studies (from each of the equipment weekends) having been signed off as well as your own programme (discussed on Equipment 3 weekend).
Q What is the Best Preparation for the Practical Portion of My Exam?
AIn addition to fully understanding the program, reviewing the exercises, and completing the relevant literature reading, the best preparation for the practical exam is to practice teaching as many different people as possible (family, friends, classmates) to apply your knowledge, adapt it to many different body types, improve your teaching skills, and become comfortable with your teaching experience.
It is highly recommended that you attend some APPI endorsed classes or have 1:1 with our Master trainers to fully understand the expected level of teaching. If attending these is not possible, the LBP DVD is an ideal home study guide to our gold standard of pilates teaching. Use this as a guide to your own teaching ability.
Q What do I Need to Know for My Written Examination?
AThe written exam consists of both multiple choice and short answer questions.
The exam tests your knowledge and recall of the equipment exercises. It focus on your ability to use the equipment safely and to choose clinically applicable and relevant exercises to a case.
Q What does it mean to be a Certified APPI Equipment Instructor?
ABeing APPI certified Equipment Instructor is a process of learning and building skills, not only in teaching Modified Pilates to a clinical population but in the interpretation and teaching of dysfunctional movement. It is a process that requires attending the four weekend courses, self practise, study, completion of the certification log book and final exams. It is a title recognised around the globe, one which states that you have an extensive repertoire, a fluency in reading healthy and dysfunctional body movements and an ability to correct and cue appropriate movement.
Claire Sanderson - APPI Equipment Fully Certified Instructor Q & A :
Q What was your first experience of Pilates?
A I first took it up in a local Pilates studio belonging to and run by a physio who had worked for the Royal Ballet. I thought it would help my own back pain.
Q What made you decide to train with the APPI?
A Because it was specifically for training physios in Pilates rather than just fitness instructors.
Q Why did you decide to attend the equipment series?
A Because I had used the equipment and felt it would be beneficial to many of my patients.
Q How did you prepare yourself for the Equipment Certification exam?
A I did many, many hours of revision and self practice because it was important to me to do well.
Q What advice would you give a instructor who is preparing to sit their exam?
A It is worth revising and knowing all the exercises back to front. I believe this has increased my knowledge and understanding and consolidated all that I learnt from the course. It has also helped me to adapt the exercises to a clinic setting .
Q How have you used your APPI equipment training?
A It has completely changed the way I work in that I now, in addition to a traditional assessment, I do a movement assessment on the reformer and develop a rehabilitation program for each patient to correct faulty movement patterns. It has thus become a treatment tool and has dramatically enhanced outcomes as it is a way of strengthening normal movement patterns and progressing on to training for whatever sport or activity the patient is aiming for. I am also passionate about treating patients with persistent pain and I have found the equipment to be an invaluable tool for getting the patient to exercise in a safe and supervised environment, so helping with fear avoidance issues and distraction in a positive way that can be carried on at home and in to activities of daily living.
Testimony:
'' I completed the equipment training with APPI in 2006 and became a certified equipment instructor in March 2007 having taken the exam in February. The training has completely changed the way I work and is, for me, the missing part of the jigsaw. As time has gone on, I have learnt more and more as I use the equipment. I now have a trapeze table and split pedal chair in my clinic room and use it as a routine part of assessment. By getting a patient on the reformer it gives myself and the patient a clear picture of any faulty movement patterns and therefore why they are getting pain. From there I use the equipment to correct the faulty movement pattern and progress on to daily functional activities to whatever levels they aspire to, be it walking the dog or competitive golf. I feel the most valuble way I can use the equipment is in the treatment of patients with persistent pain. These patients often feel they are at the end of the line. By using the equipment and getting them stabilising in a safe and supervised environment it gives them back the confidence to move normally and so reduce their pain by inhibiting tight and over-firing muscles. This ,they find incredibly empowering and means that they can influence their own pain. How amazing is that!'' Claire Sanderson - Fully Qualified APPI Equipment Instructor
Click here to purchase the Equipment Certification Series