Pre & Postnatal Pilates Instructor Course

Safely & confidently support the pregnant and postpartum members who attend your Pilates classes
 

Recommended By

The ProNatal Fitness education is trusted and recommended by the largest health clubs and boutique studios in the U.S.

A Course Designed for Pilates Instructors

With Pilates growing in popularity — and many medical providers recommending no-impact activities like Pilates during pregnancy — chances are you’ve had a few pregnant or postpartum members show up for your classes.


These members look to you for guidance, but figuring out what, when, and how to modify can feel overwhelming.

Until now…

Get ready to feel completely confident the next time a pregnant or postpartum member walks into your Pilates class.

Upon Completion,
You’ll Be Able to…

A First-of-its-Kind Course for Pilates Instructors

This is the first pre & postnatal course designed for Group Pilates (and Lagree-Style) Instructors who want to be able to safely and effectively guide pregnant and postpartum members without disrupting class flow. Watch the video to see how it creates a WIN-WIN-WIN for instructors, members, and studio owners.

What You’ll Receive

5 CECs

0.6 CEUs

0.7 CECs*

0.6 CEUs

7 CEUs

4 CECs

*Fulfills ACE Professional Conduct & Ethics CEC requirement as well.

What You’ll Learn

Learn more about the topics covered, course completion, and resources included in this self-paced online course.

module 1

Course Introduction

module 2

The 7 Pregnancy Changes You Need to Know

module 3

The 4 Pains & Injuries You Need to Know

module 4

Coaching Tips to Focus On

module 5

Modifications & Moves to Avoid

module 6

Modification Guidance

module 6

Final Exam

module 6

Pilates Modifications Resource Guide

module 1

Course Introduction

Understand the way the course is structured (and why) and learn three guiding principles to remember when working with this population.

module 2

The 7 Pregnancy Changes You Need to Know

We’ll begin by discussing the 7 pregnancy changes that have the greatest impact on your work as an instructor. By understanding these changes, all the coaching and modification guidance provided in Modules 4 – 6 will make much more sense because you’ll understand the “why” behind the guidance.

module 3

The 4 Pains & Injuries You Need to Know

The changes discussed in Module 2 can lead to various pains and injuries. As an instructor, the guidance you give your members can either mitigate these issues or potentially exacerbate them. We want to ensure you do the former, so we’ll discuss the 4 most common pains and injuries, helping you understand what causes them and the key ways to mitigate them. This will also provide you with a much greater appreciation for the guidance in Modules 4 – 6.

module 4

Coaching Tips to Focus On

Being the best coach for your pre & postnatal members is not just about knowing what to avoid. This module covers some helpful pre-class guidance and in-class cueing tips that can be immensely helpful in creating a safer and more effective experience for these members. And the best part? The cueing tips we cover are also beneficial for everyone else in class as well.

module 5

Modifications & Moves to Avoid

By the time you get to Module 5, you’ll probably have a sense already of the types of movements you’ll need to avoid or modify during pregnancy. This module lays everything out for you – providing detailed guidance on what to avoid or modify by trimester (and why), and how to apply the guidance postpartum. You’ll also receive a chart summarizing the guidance for easy reference.

module 6

Modification Guidance

Now that you understand what movements to avoid or modify, the next question is what movements to offer your members instead. This module simplifies the process of determining which modifications to offer, arming you with easy-to-remember principles and a modifications framework that will enable you to create a safe & effective experience for your pregnant and postpartum members without disrupting your class flow or taking you away from the many other things you have to manage as an instructor.

module 5

Final Exam

After the 6 learning modules above, there is a 1-hour timed exam that you take at home on your computer or device. There are 40 multiple choice questions, and you must get an 85% (34 questions correct) to pass. You can use any notes you want, but you must complete the exam within the 1-hour time limit.

module 5

Pilates Modifications Guide

After completing your course, you will get access to our full Pilates Modifications Guide. This resource guide offers beneficial movement swaps across various Pilates formats and types of equipment used, including Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Tower, Chair, Barrel, and Megaformer (and similar machines). 

Understand the way the course is structured (and why) and learn three guiding principles to remember when working with this population.

We’ll begin by discussing the 7 pregnancy changes that have the greatest impact on your work as an instructor. By understanding these changes, all the coaching and modification guidance provided in Modules 4 – 6 will make much more sense because you’ll understand the “why” behind the guidance.

The changes discussed in Module 2 can lead to various pains and injuries. As an instructor, the guidance you give your members can either mitigate these issues or potentially exacerbate them. We want to ensure you do the former, so we’ll discuss the 4 most common pains and injuries, helping you understand what causes them and the key ways to mitigate them. This will also provide you with a much greater appreciation for the guidance in Modules 4 – 6.

Being the best coach for your pre & postnatal members is not just about knowing what to avoid. This module covers some helpful pre-class guidance and in-class cueing tips that can be immensely helpful in creating a safer and more effective experience for these members. And the best part? The cueing tips we cover are also beneficial for everyone else in class as well.

By the time you get to Module 5, you’ll probably have a sense already of the types of movements you’ll need to avoid or modify during pregnancy. This module lays everything out for you – providing detailed guidance on what to avoid or modify by trimester (and why), and how to apply the guidance postpartum. You’ll also receive a chart summarizing the guidance for easy reference.

Now that you understand what movements to avoid or modify, the next question is what movements to offer your members instead. This module simplifies the process of determining which modifications to offer, arming you with easy-to-remember principles and a modifications framework that will enable you to create a safe & effective experience for your pregnant and postpartum members without disrupting your class flow or taking you away from the many other things you have to manage as an instructor.

After the 6 learning modules above, there is a 1-hour timed exam that you take at home on your computer or device. There are 40 multiple choice questions, and you must get an 85% (34 questions correct) to pass. You can use any notes you want, but you must complete the exam within the 1-hour time limit.

After completing your course, you will get access to our full Pilates Modifications Resource Guide. This resource guide provides beneficial movement swaps within the various Pilates formats and types of equipment used in class, including Mat, Reformer, Tower/Chair, Cadillac, and the higher-intensity moving carriages (like a Megaformer and other similar machines). Simply find the format or equipment that is relevant for what you teach to find beneficial swaps for many of the common movements.

Graduate Feedback

Meet Our Advisors

This course was developed in partnership with veteran Pilates instructors and educators who combined their extensive professional expertise and personal experiences with motherhood to shape the course content.

Frequently Asked
Questions

This course is for all Pilates (and Lagree-style) instructors. It’s especially geared toward Group Pilates Instructors because it focuses primarily on beneficial coaching tips and modification guidance – especially within a group class setting, where you have to consider maintaining a class flow.


This is also beneficial for private Pilates instructors interested in learning coaching tips and modification guidance during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. That said, if you are a private instructor interested in
specializing in this population and designing tailored programs or sessions for pregnant or postpartum clients, our Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist Certification may be your best option. See the next FAQ for key differences between the two courses.

If you primarily teach Group classes and are most interested in learning the keys to effectively guiding your pre & postnatal members (including beneficial coaching tips and modification guidance), then this is the course for you. The Certification is not specific to Pilates, so it won’t get into the level of detail on Pilates movement modifications that this course does.


If, however, you are looking for in-depth information to train this population one-on-one, or perhaps develop your own prenatal or postpartum-specific Pilates classes, the
Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist Certification is a better option because it provides much more in-depth information that is necessary for designing specialized programs for this population, such as pelvic floor training, childbirth preparation, postpartum core recovery, assessments, program design, psychological considerations, and more. 


When thinking about what course is best for you now, consider how you
most want to use the information, your budget, timing, CECs needed, etc. Need help deciding? Contact us at info@pronatalfitness.com, and we’re happy to help.

While anyone is welcome to take the course, it really is designed for Pilates Instructors – with all the movement guidance and modifications being specific to Pilates (and Lagree-style formats).

If you teach multiple group fitness formats and are looking for a course that can help you guide pre & postnatal members in a variety of formats, check out our course: Pre & Postnatal Education for Group Fitness Instructors.  

If you are looking to specialize in training pre & postnatal clients, then definitely explore our Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist Certification, as this is our most in-depth and comprehensive course. 

Still can’t decide? Contact us at info@pronatalfitness.com, and we’re happy to help.

This course was a joint effort between ProNatal Fitness and three expert Pilates Advisors. We encourage you to read our Advisor bios. These experts have a combined 50+ years of experience teaching Pilates and developing Pilates education, and they were instrumental in helping us shape this course to be as practical and valuable as possible for Pilates instructors.

Yes! This course is approved for the following CECs:

  •         NPCP: 5
  •         NASM: 0.6
  •         AFAA: 0.6
  •         ACE: 0.7*
  •         ISSA: 7
  •         CANFITPRO: 4

*This course also meets the ACE Professional Conduct & Ethics requirement.

Don’t see your organization listed? You can easily petition for CECs from your organization. Typically, the process is that you reach out to your certifying agency and ask them for a CEC petition form for you to complete. We are happy to provide you a course overview sheet that you can submit to your agency. Just reach out to us at info@pronatalfitness.com to request this.

You have 1-year access to the online learning platform to complete your course. However, all the written materials are available for you to download, so you have access to them for life. The course is estimated to take 5 – 7 hours to complete.

At the end of the course, there is a 1-hour timed exam that you take at home on your computer or device. There are 40 multiple-choice questions, and you must receive an 85% (34 questions correct) to pass. You can use any notes you want, but you must complete the exam within the 1-hour time limit.


If you pass, you will immediately be able to download your certificate.  If you do not pass, you can purchase an exam retest for $35.


Each module also contains a self-check to gauge your comprehension. These are not graded. They are intended solely for your learning benefit and serve as excellent preparation for the exam.

Yes. We allow you to take the first two modules risk-free. If, at any time during the first two modules, you are not satisfied with the course, you can email us at info@pronatalfitness.com to request a full refund. After completing the first two modules, refunds will no longer be granted.

Payment plan options are available through Affirm for U.S. credit cards. Payment plans are personalized based on your credit score. Therefore, you will be asked to provide some very brief information to check your credit score. Note, this process is considered a soft credit check. It does NOT impact your credit score. You’ll be able to see your monthly payments and total payment (including interest if any). Then you can decide whether you want to proceed, and if so, which payment option.


Having Trouble?

If you are unable to use Affirm, we can set you up with a payment plan through ProNatal Fitness. For more details on this option, please email info@pronatalfitness.com.

Nope! This is a one-time course with no renewal requirements or charges.

Enroll Now

Enroll now and learn at your own pace, with flexible payment plan options and our 100% money-back guarantee.

Pre & Postnatal Pilates Instructor Course

25% off!

$249

$249

As low as $23 per month

Promo Code: PROCERT35

OFFER GOOD THROUGH 12/1/25 AT 11:59 PM PST

Carrie Macy-Samper, BA, NCPT

BA, NCPT, Sr. Director of Pilates Education, Equinox

Carrie Macy Samper has served as Senior Director of Pilates Education at Equinox since 2010. In this role, she created the Equinox Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Program and Pilates Mat Certificate Course. Today, she continues to drive the education business, coaching 60+ Pilates Educators, delivering seminars and workshops, and developing the company’s continuing education curriculum.

Before joining Equinox, Carrie served as a Teacher Trainer for Power Pilates, teaching seminars and workshops since 2005. She was comprehensively trained in 2001 by Romana Kryzanowska, earned a second comprehensive certificate from Power Pilates in 2005, and has been NCPT credentialed since 2007. As a mother of two who practiced Pilates throughout both pregnancies, Carrie brings both professional expertise and personal insight to pre and postnatal Pilates education.

Georgia Burns

Master Trainer, Mindful Movement Centre

Georgia Burns is a veteran Pilates teacher trainer with over 25 years of experience in the movement industry. She is a Master Trainer at the Mindful Movement Centre in Toronto and the creator of the company’s Pre & Postnatal Live Training. She has been featured in Pilates Style magazine, appeared in several instructional videos on Pilates Anytime, and was recognized by NOW magazine for her work in Toronto’s “Best of Pilates.”

In addition to her Pilates expertise, Georgia is a certified physiotherapy and occupational therapy assistant, with rehabilitation experience in joint replacement recovery, aging adult mobility, and post–organ transplant care. As a former gymnast, lifelong athlete, and mother, she blends science with empathy to help instructors design programs that promote longevity, functional mobility, and real-world strength.

Emilie Battle

CPT, Owner, Battle Body Fitness

Emilie Battle is a Certified Pilates Instructor through Pilates Academy International and Pilates on Fifth in New York City, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, a ProNatal Certified Coach, and a mother. A lifelong dancer, Emilie first turned to Pilates to alleviate back pain from years of training. She later expanded her expertise to strength and performance training, working with clients ranging from MMA and Muay Thai fighters to professional dancers.

In 2019, Emilie founded her personal training business, Battle Body, where she blends the foundational movements of Pilates with strength training to help clients achieve peak performance. Her innovative approach landed her on the September 2017 cover of Pilates Style magazine with a six-page feature, a spotlight by SELFPopsugar Fitness, and ForHers, and a role on the wellness team at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, where she trained the company dancers.

Medical Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is for a healthy pregnant, or new mom, with no complications or risk factors. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to offer medical advice. Always consult with your doctor first before beginning any exercise program.

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