REFORMER INSTRUCTOR TRAINING | in-person
At the core of Reformer training is building a strong foundation in anatomy, mastering proper technique and learning to recognize and correct misalignments while bodies are in motion.
Using the Niche cueing formula, students learn to communicate movement effectively and with precision to ensure safe movement around the reformer while defining their own teaching voice. Students apply these foundations to class planning throughout training as they explore how to layer movements, incorporate props and contemporary variations, and craft creative, thoughtful, and dynamic progressive sequences that fit all levels and meet clients’ individual needs.
Our In-Person Reformer Training Program provides an immersive, collaborative experience with hands-on learning and real-time feedback from trainers, preparing you with the tools and knowledge to launch your Pilates instructor journey!
Niche Instructor Training has been approved by NASM, AFFA and ISSA.
TRAINING STRUCTURE
in-person training | 214 hours
Training will begin with an online module and five training days at our studio, followed by self-paced study and practice dedicated to personal practice, observation, and practice teaching hours required for test out.
FOUNDATIONS OF ANATOMY (6 hours): Taught by a licensed physical therapist, this online module covers the essential building blocks of human movement presented through a practical and accessible lens. You will be introduced to core Pilates principles and fundamental movement concepts, giving you the anatomical awareness and movement literacy that will serve as the building blocks for the remainder of your training.
5 TRAINING DAYS (6 hours each, total 30 hours): These are spread across three weekends with allowance for self-study and practice in between. You’ll receive real-time demonstration and hands-on practice and live feedback from instructor trainers and become equipped with the technical proficiency to observe bodies in motion, cue clearly and efficiently, and integrate strength training principles, jump board, and props into classes and private sessions.
ONLINE COURSEWORK (10 hours): Included with your training are 10 hours of online course materials and resources to complement your in-person training and practice hours. We recommend allocating an additional 10 hours of self-study to help strengthen your skills and knowledge as you progress through your practice hours.
PRACTICE HOURS (158 hours): In addition to your online coursework, the remainder of your training will be dedicated to self-paced personal practice, observation, and practice teaching hours to become eligible for test out registration and certification. Hone your skills, craft your own voice, and grow into your Pilates instructor practice!
TRAINING SYLLABUS
DAY 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS / TECHNIQUE & APPLICATION I
Review core principles that support the Reformer Pilates method: breath, alignment, form, control, connection and fluidity, with real-time demonstrations and guided execution of both classical and contemporary Reformer exercises. You’ll examine the correct form and alignment of each exercise, evaluate primary muscle movers and stabilizers, discuss modifications and amplifications, and understand how to structure movement across planes of motion to deliver balanced, dynamic classes.
DAY 2: TECHNIQUE & APPLICATION II
Become equipped with the technical proficiency to observe bodies in motion, identify common misalignments, and apply corrective strategies using the Niche cueing formula. Students will begin familiarizing themselves with cueing techniques through round robin teaching exercises with instructor trainer guidance to build confidence and capability in setting up and delivering reformer-based movement safely and effectively.
day 3: teaching practice
Students will apply foundational knowledge to design purposeful classes centered around functional themes that fit all levels and meet clients’ individual needs. Learn about contraindications, including prenatal, postpartum, and osteopenia/osteoporosis, and deepen your teaching practice in developing progressive classes for private clients.
DAY 4: program design & specialization
Collaborate with student-led class and private session programming to design creative, dynamic sequences with the integration of props to challenge or assist movements, jump board for class variety and cardio applications, and strength training concepts in a Pilates environment.
day 5: CLIENT EXPERIENCE & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS / CAPSTONE
Learn how to foster a client-centered approach grounded in empathy, professionalism, and inclusivity by reviewing safety screenings, professional ethics and practices, teaching strategies, and how to develop a teaching presence and voice. Students will receive guidance and preparation for practice hours and test out, with a final class teaching session integrating all elements.
practice HOURS | 158 hours
Personal Practice, Teaching, and Observation Hours
If you have a reformer at home, these hours may be fulfilled at home.
OBSERVATION (18)
10 class observation hours and free access to Niche-On-Demand (up to 18 months) are included in the cost of your purchase.
Hours can also be fulfilled at home by watching online workouts on our YouTube channel.
PERSONAL PRACTICE (50)
10 Niche Reformer classes are included in the cost of your purchase.
Personal practice hours can also be fulfilled by following our workouts on Niche-On-Demand and YouTube channel.
PRACTICE TEACHING (90)
Teach private practice sessions at home or in one of our private rooms for just $5/session. We provide the space, and you bring the client!
All hours must be documented and submitted to education@nichefitstudio.com prior to registration for test out.
TEST OUT
There are three components to your test-out: Demonstration, Practical, and Written. The entire process will be conducted in person, and you will need to coordinate with a “client” to be present for the demonstration and practical parts of the test. Each aspect of the test out must be passed by a minimum 85% or more to pass:
Demonstration (30 minutes): You will teach a 30-minute class to your “client”. You will receive guidance prior to your test out that provides an overview of what needs to be included in your demonstration.
Practical (30 minutes): Your instructor trainer will ask you situational and instructor-related questions, some of which may require you to demonstrate with your “client”.
Written Exam: This will be an online test consisting of multiple choice questions.
Registration for test out is $300 ($100 per component), or $250 if you purchase the Mat & Reformer package. Test outs can be scheduled once all practice hours are complete, documented, and submitted to our Niche Instructor Training Coordinator through education@nichefitstudio.com. Eligibility expires 18 months after your training begins.
Once you’ve successfully tested out, you will have the knowledge, experience, and a strong teaching foundation to help you launch your Pilates instructor journey!
spring 2026 training dates
TRAINING DAY 1 | SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 10AM–4PM
TRAINING DAY 2 | SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 10AM–4PM
TRAINING DAY 3 | SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 10AM–4PM
TRAINING DAY 4 | SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 10AM–4PM
TRAINING DAY 5 | SATURDAY, MAY 2, 10AM–4PM
Can’t make it to the studio? Checking out our online training program!
IN-PERSON reformer pricing
Pay in Full
$3,200
*Save $150 when paid in full
*Price increases in 2026
- Includes Foundations of Anatomy
- Includes all online Reformer Instructor Training resources
- 10 Reformer classes for personal practice hours
- 10 Reformer class observation hours
- Access to Niche-On-Demand for personal practice and observation hours
- 10% off NIT continuing education workshops
- 10% off membership (up to 18 months)
- Access to studio for practice teaching hours ($5/hour)
- Niche class and private client session planning templates
- Demo opportunity to audition for Niche Pilates Studio
- SAVE $100 ON TEST OUT
Pay Monthly
$279.17/mo.
*Price increases in 2026
- Includes Foundations of Anatomy
- Includes all online Reformer Instructor Training resources
- 10 Reformer classes for personal practice hours
- 10 Reformer class observation hours
- Access to Niche-On-Demand for personal practice and observation hours
- 10% off NIT continuing education workshops
- 10% off membership (up to 18 months)
- Access to studio for practice teaching hours ($5/hour)
- Niche class & private client session planning templates
- Demo opportunity to audition for Niche Pilates Studio
- SAVE $100 ON TEST OUT
*Students will receive access to training material 3 months prior to start of training.
IN-PERSON MAT & REFORMER PACKAGE
Purchase our Mat and Reformer Training package and save $800!
Pay in Full
$3,700
*Save $150 when paid in full
*Price increases in 2026
- Includes Foundations of Anatomy course
- Includes all online Reformer Instructor Training resources
- Includes all online Mat Instructor Training resources
- 10 Mat classes + 10 Reformer classes for personal practice hours
- 10 Mat + 10 Reformer class observation hours
- Access to Niche-On-Demand for personal practice and observation hours
- 10% off NIT continuing education workshops
- 10% off membership (up to 18 months)
- Access to studio for practice teaching hours ($5/hour)
- Niche class & private client session planning templates
- Demo opportunity to audition for Niche Pilates Studio
- SAVE $100 ON TEST OUT FEE
Pay Monthly
$429.17/mo.
*Price increases in 2026
- Includes Foundations of Anatomy course
- Includes all online Reformer Instructor Training resources
- Includes all online Mat Instructor Training resources
- 10 mat classes + 10 reformer classes for personal practice hours
- 10 mat + reformer class observation hours
- Access to Niche-On-Demand for personal practice and observation hours
- 10% off NIT continuing education workshops
- 10% off membership (up to 18 months)
- Access to studio for practice teaching hours ($5/hour)
- Niche class & private client session planning templates
- Demo opportunity to audition for Niche Pilates Studio
- SAVE $100 ON TEST OUT FEE
ESTIMATED TIMELINE OF COMPLETION
5 HOURS/WEEk
COMPLETE TRAINING WITHIN 8.5 MONTHS
WEEKS 1 TO 2: Complete Foundations of Anatomy prior to first studio training day + 2 personal practice hours per week
WEEKS 3 & 5: In-studio training weekend (12 hours total) + 2 personal practice hours
WEEK 4: 3 observation hours + 2 personal practice hours
WEEKS 6 to 7: 3 observation hours + 2 personal practice hours per week
WEEKS 8: In-studio training weekend (6 hrs) + 2 personal practice hours
WEEKS 9 to 12: 3 observation hours + 2 personal practice hours per week
WEEKS 13 to 20: 2 personal practice hours + 3 practice teaching hours per week
WEEKS 21 to 37: 1 personal practice hour + 4 practice teaching hours per week
10 HOURS/WEEK
COMPLETE TRAINING WITHIN 4.5 MONTHS
WEEK 1: Complete Foundations of Anatomy prior to first studio training day + 4 personal practice hours
WEEKS 2 & 4: In-studio training weekend (12 hours total) + 2 personal practice hours
WEEKS 3 & 5: 5 personal practice hours + 5 observation hours per week
WEEK 6: In-studio training weekend (6 hours total) + 4 personal practice hours
WEEKS 7 to 9: 3 personal practice hours + 3 observation hours + 4 practice teaching hours
WEEKS 10 to19: Approx. 2-3 personal practice hours per week approx. 7-8 practice teaching hours per week
15 HOURS/WEEK
COMPLETE TRAINING WITHIN 3.2 MONTHS
WEEK 1: Complete Foundations of Anatomy prior to first studio training day + 5 personal practice hours
WEEKS 2 & 4: In-studio training weekend (12 hours total) + 3 personal practice hours + 2 observation hours (week 4 only)
WEEK 3: 5 personal practice hours + 3 observation hours
WEEK 5: 6 personal practice hours + 4 observation hours + 5 practice teaching hours
WEEK 6: In-studio training weekend (6 hours total) + 3 personal practice hours + 1 observation hour + 5 practice teaching hours
WEEKS 7 to 14: 3 personal practice hours + 1 observation hours + 10 practice teaching hours per week
20 HOURS/WEEK
COMPLETE TRAINING WITH 2.3 MONTHS
WEEK 1: Complete Foundations of Anatomy prior to first studio training day + In-studio training weekend (12 hours total) + 5 personal practice hours
WEEK 2: 5 personal practice hours + 8 observation hours + 3 practice teaching hours
WEEK 3: In-studio training weekend (12 hours total) + 5 personal practice hours + 1 observation hour + 2 practice teaching hours
WEEK 4: 5 personal practice hours + 5 observation hours + 5 practice teaching hours
WEEK 5: In-studio training weekend (6 hours total) + 5 personal practice hours + 4 observation hours + 5 practice teaching hours
WEEKS 6 to 10: 5 personal practice hours + 15 practice teaching hours per week
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
who is eligible for our niche instructor training program?
Our Niche Instructor Training program is open to everyone! If you’re looking to shift (or expand) your career or deepen your practice, our program is designed to fit for all. You can simply sign up and start your training upon purchase!
What if I can’t make it to all the training days?
Missed days can be made up by scheduling one-on-one training sessions for $100 per hour. If more than 1 day would be missed, please plan to attend the next round of training or sign up for our online program!
When can I begin the PRACTICE HOURS?
You can start working on your observation, personal practice, and practice teaching hours as early as your first training day!
how can i receive feedback during practice hours?
After your training begins, you will receive a calendar link to schedule a 1:1 consultation with one of our instructor trainers, or you can e-mail us at education@nichefitstudio.com!
How do I register for a test out?
In order to register for your test out, you must complete the following:
All online coursework
All studio training days must be attended or made up.
Online quizzes must be passed at a minimum of 85%.
All observation, personal practice, and practice teaching hours must be fulfilled, documented, and submitted to the instructor training team.
Once you can complete these requirements, you will send your tracking spreadsheet to our Niche Instructor Training Coordinator through education@nichefitstudio.com and arrange your test out with an instructor trainer. Eligibility expires 18 months after your training begins. Each aspect of the test out must be passed by a minimum 85% or more to pass.
If one portion of your test out does not pass the minimum requirement, you can retake that portion for $100.
What if I want to take the training but don’t want to test out?
Testing out is optional! For students who are more aligned with the goal to learn versus the goal to teach, you don’t have to test out. Instructor training is a great way to help you understand your body and movement on a deeper level. If you elect not to test out, access to online material is removed after 18 months.
How long do I have access to the training material?
Students who test out (whether you pass or not) receive forever access to their training material. Students who do not test out will only have access for 18 months.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
All purchases are final. If circumstances arise in the midst of training, you contact education@nichefitstudio.com to reschedule or adjust your training timeline.