The Reformer Series

Polestar Pilates Reformer Series - The Reformer Series Certification provides instruction in Pilates principles, techniques and practice with emphasis on group dynamics for the Reformer

SEE 2025 COURSE DATES BELOW!

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE MONDAY 24 FEB ’25!

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TRANSFORM YOUR FITNESS PRACTICE WITH THE POLESTAR PILATES REFORMER SERIES!

Whether you’re a physiotherapist, personal trainer, or group exercise instructor, discover how this versatile equipment can revolutionise your clients’ training, following in the footsteps of Joseph Pilates himself.

Our flexible learning programme can be completed entirely online or through a blend of virtual and in-person training. The Reformer course consists of an online foundation module (Polestar Principles) followed by two intensive 3-day “weekend” courses, complemented by two practical sessions (Practicums).

Master essential skills including:

  • Professional assessment techniques
  • Advanced reformer exercises
  • Progressive movement sequences
  • Core Polestar principles and methodology
Course Structure:

  1. Polestar Principles Online (PPO) – Self-paced introductory module, based on Dr. Brent Anderson’s book “Principles of Movement”
  2. Reformer Part #1 – 21 hours over three consecutive days (Fri/Sat/Sun)
  3. Practicum Session #1 – 4 hours
  4. Reformer Part #2 – 21 hours over three consecutive days (Fri/Sat/Sun)
  5. Practicum Session #2 – 4 hours

Upon successful completion, you’ll be eligible to sit the Polestar Reformer Examination for full certification.

At the end of this course and after obtaining certification by taking the Polestar Reformer Exam, graduates will be able to find employment as fully trained Pilates Reformer Instructors/Practitioner in the following areas:

  • A Pilates studio
  • Gymnasium or corporate health facility with Pilates studio and group fitness equipment
  • Health spa
  • Club offering sports conditioning
  • Corporate wellness programmes
  • Dance studio offering dance conditioning

SIGN UP NOW TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND TRANSFORM YOUR CLIENTS’ FITNESS JOURNEY.

Learn how to teach Pilates Reformer from the best in the world

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Upon qualification, you’ll be equipped to:

  • Master the versatile uses of Pilates exercises on the Reformer equipment, a crucial skill for any Pilates instructor
  • Develop assessment techniques to help your clients make consistent progress on their goals
  • Learn to customise workouts for each client’s needs, essential for any Pilates Instructor seeking high client retention
  • Learn to expertly teach Pilates in both group and private settings, broadening your instructing capabilities and enabling your teaching to be accessible to more clients
  • Understand the physics of the Reformer equipment at a deep level, enabling you to manipulate any apparatus to suit your client’s needs
  • Learn to safely adapt Reformer exercises for injuries and special needs, ensuring responsible and equitable instruction
  • Work confidently with low-risk adults, athletes, dancers, and older clients
  • Create tailored programmes using the Pilates Reformer
PRE-REQUISITES
The minimum entry requirements for this course are as follows:

  • Completion of Polestar Principles Online (PP) – explained in a different section below.
  • Attainment of Secondary education or Tertiary education equivalent.
  • A good understanding of Pilates – a minimum of 25 hours of personal Pilates practice either in private or group sessions. This may include mat work and studio work (preferably with a Polestar Pilates certified practitioner, but not mandatory). This can be provided as a log from your studio/gym or letter/email from your Pilates practitioner.
  • Polestar Pilates Courses require the completion of basic anatomy/physiology. If you are already qualified in one of the following occupations you would qualify: Physiotherapist, Osteopath, Exercise Physiologist, Nurse, Myotherapist, Remedial Massage Therapist, Cert IV Personal Trainer.

However, if you are from a different background and have NOT completed any basic Anatomy and Physiology education completion, it is required prior to the start of your course. Polestar provides the online Anatomy course that meets these requirements.

This online course will provide you with all the required knowledge to commence your Pilates studies.

Click here for more info and to register for the online Polestar Anatomy Course.

COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is composed of these 4 major components that need to be completed in the following sequence: PP (Polestar Principles Online),
REF-1, REF2, REF-3, followed by the Exam. (REF stands for Reformer)

The course is delivered in-person OR virtual via Zoom in two parts (20 hours each) and two Practicums (4 hours each).

Whilst attending the Reformer course, or once completed, students can also attend optional Continuing Education courses, Workshops and Masterclasses, examples of which can be found by clicking here.

COURSE COMPONENTS

Polestar Pilates Principles of Movement – ONLINE

Learn and apply the theories of movement that lay the foundation for Polestar Pilates in this prerequisite for all other Polestar courses. Using evidence-based research, you will discover the passage ways for movement throughout the body and develop the tools to provide either assistance for or challenge your clients in helping them achieve their goals. Polestar Principles will bring to life your ability to assess, problem-solve, design and modify exercise programs to meet specific needs and abilities.

This non-apparatus course introduces current research in movement science, motor learning, bioenergetics, and communication science to instructional practice through basic movement principles which are used throughout the Polestar Pilates curriculum.

This course introduces Polestar Assessment Tool™, which includes postural evaluation and functional testing, to prepare you to properly design a plan to implement Pilates exercises for clients. This unique component significantly enhances decision-making skills as a Pilates practitioner.

Students will complete online (self-paced) modules about each Principle, inclusive of built-in webinars, and attend live online lectures hosted by a Polestar Educator, to revise and discuss the findings in the unit.

Polestar Principles of Movement comprise 6 modules that students need to complete, complemented by six 2-hour follow-up online discussions and lectures.


Polestar Pilates Principles of Movement

Students must purchase the accompanying book “Principles of Movement” by Dr. Brent Anderson prior to starting this course. Click here or on the image above for more details and to order a copy.

Please note that for those participants undertaking more than one Polestar Series course, it is only required to complete PPO ONE time. So if for example, you want to complete the Polestar Comprehensive Series after you have completed the Mat and/or Reformer Series, you do not have to redo PPO.

Once payment has been received, access will be provided to the online resources.


REFORMER – PART 1 (20 HRS), PART 2 (20 HRS) AND 2X 4-HOUR PRACTICUMS (ON-SITE OR VIRTUAL VIA ZOOM)

After the Polestar Principles Online course (PPO), the Reformer Series continue with PART 1 followed by a Practicum, which in turn will be followed by PART 2, followed by the second – and last – Practicum.

In total the Series are spread out over approximately a 2-month period. The time between each session allows you to practice and become comfortable with the material before continuing to the next Part or Practicum.

For certification, you will be required to complete at your own expense, the required reading and writing assignments, 75 hours of Observation & Self Mastery, 50 hours of Apprentice Teaching.

You will learn the practical skills needed to become proficient with the assessment techniques, movement sequences and the application of principles learned in PPO. The movement selections focus on early intervention and beginning through intermediate exercises on Reformer equipment. Additionally, you will learn:

  • Cueing and movement facilitation
  • Adjustment of equipment for patient safety and instructor efficiency
  • Movement sequences for treatment of specific lesions
  • Progression of movement following an injury
  • Indications and contraindications for exercise selection
  • Integration of manual mobilization skills and Pilates movement (appropriate to your scope of practice)
  • To create treatment plans through use of case studies

PRACTICUMS (on-site or virtual via Zoom)

Practicums help accelerate your teaching and demonstration hours in a supported environment with an Educator.

Teaching is within a clinical format against units of competency and allows students to accrue 2 hours for 1 hour (1:2) towards their student logbook.

Topics included will be review of Theory, Repertoire, Case Studies and Self-Mastery demonstration and teaching.

Starting from October ’24, Practicums are included in the course fees and are generally scheduled over 4hrs but can be shorter and some are online. You need to attend both Practicums.

COURSE LOCATIONS & DATES
2025 Course DatesAUCKLAND CBD and ONLINE
Polestar Principles
Compulsory for ALL
students for ALL courses
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE
MONDAY 24 FEB ’25!
Sat 1 Mar 3-5pm
Sun 2 Mar 3-5pm
Wed 5 Mar 3-5pm
Sat 8 Mar 3-5pm
Sun 9 Mar 3-5pm
Wed 12 Mar 4-6pm
REFORMER PART / PHASE-121 March: 12 to 6pm
22 March: 12 to 6pm
23 March: 8am to 5pm
PRACTICUM-1 TBC: 1 to 5pm
REFORMER PART / PHASE-2 2 May: 12 to 6pm
3 May: 12 to 6pm
4 May: 8am to 5pm
PRACTICUM-2 TBC: 1 to 5pm

PLEASE NOTE: It’s very important to register well ahead of time, because you need to complete the online theory portion of the course prior to attending in-person weekend. Don’t hesitate and register now!

COURSE FEES

Course fees include attendance at lectures, student manuals and handouts, morning and afternoon teas, as well as GST. Students are responsible for all personal extras, such as travel and accommodation and personal supplies and lunch during the course dates.

Please note that an automatic credit card surcharge of 3% gets added when you pay via Visa or Mastercard. This fee will be added to your invoice & receipt. To avoid this surcharge, you can also internet transfer the fee – see below for more information.

If you have completed any of our other training courses with Polestar NZ you are entitled to an additional discount. Please let us know the details in this case by clicking here

Also, you can see below that you can register for a BUNDLE of both the Mat and Reformer Series in one go. This saves you a considerable amount compared to completing these two course series separately.

The Mat and Reformer Series bundle is made up of PPO, MAT-1, MAT-2, REF PHASE-1, REF PHASE-1, and includes the Practicum sessions.

PLEASE NOTE: It’s very important to register well ahead of time, because you need to complete the online theory portion of the course prior to attending in-person weekend. Don’t hesitate and register now!

LocationNormal Package PriceEarly Bird PriceEarly Bird Saving
PPO, REF-PART 1, REF-PART 2, AND 2x PRACTICUMS$4,245 *$3,995 **$250 **
Reformer & Mat BUNDLE$6,375 *$6,055 ***$320 ***

* Normal Package Price – post Early Bird date

** Early Bird Price – if registered and paid in full by 31 January 2025

Exam Fees are not included in the Course Fees.

NOTE: there will be some additional costs which are not covered in the course fees. As part of your logbook hours all repertoire must be signed off for teaching and demonstration. Polestar allocates time at each face to face weekend for check off but if these are not completed they must be done in your own time at your cost with a Mentor. Also Self-Mastery logbook hours will be at an additional cost, note that 15 hours can be completed as self-directed study (unsupervised).

IMPORTANT: The following options exist to pay for your Polestar course(s):

1. Pay the registration fee in full, and make use of the Early Bird discount (provided you’ve paid prior to the Early Bird expiry date)

    • Click one of the yellow banners below to register and pay via credit card – for which you will get charged a credit card fee
    • To avoid paying the credit card fee, internet transfer the full amount into the Polestar account 030104 0440078 00 (Westpac). Please note to add your name as a reference, otherwise we may not recognise your payment!

2. Use the Payment Plan, outlined below, and pay the fee over a 6 month period. This is a slightly more expensive option, but helps when you need to spread out the payments.

    • Click one of the yellow banners below to register and pay via th Payment Plan. This is only available via credit card.

Please note that an automatic credit card surcharge of 3% gets added when you pay via Visa or Mastercard.

PAYMENT PLAN

Polestar Pilates NZ offers a 3-month payment plan that allows you to pay for your enrolment over a period of time instead of all at once.

The payment plan requires a $1,000 deposit and a $100 handling fee.

Payments are due on the 1st of each month and a late payment penalty or credit card decline penalty of $50 will be applied. For the Reformer Series, the following payment option is available:

Location:Normal Price incl. handling feeDeposit*Month 1Month 2Month 3
PO, REF-PART 1, REF-PART 2, AND 2x PRACTICUMS$4,345$1,000$1,115$1,115$1,115
Reformer & Mat BUNDLE$6,475$1,000$1,825$1,825$1,820

* Deposit of $1,000 is required at the time of registration, and any Payment Plan can only be used in conjunction with your credit card.

Please note that an automatic credit card surcharge of 3% gets added when you pay via Visa or Mastercard

COURSE ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION

Assessment requirements include: attending all of the course hours, completing reading and writing assignments, as well as a specified number of observation, self-mastery, and apprentice teaching hours as noted below.

To track your hours and progress, a log book will be issued at the start of your course with your materials. Certificates are granted upon successful completion of the log-book, and an 80% pass mark on the final exam.

The delivery modes are broken down as follows:

Lectures & Homework Observation Practice / Self-Mastery Apprentice Teaching
130 30 50 50

Lectures: Lecture hours include formal lecture/workshop face-to-face delivery, practical and written assessments and mandatory tutorial hours. They can also include online lectures accessed via the Polestar online platform.

Observation: Observation is where the student observes a studio in action, and has their hours signed off by a certified practitioner (preferably Polestar qualified). Polestar Online Academy can also be used for up to 10 observation hours in each course.

Self-Mastery (and Self-Directed): These hours are for Students to practice the exercises learnt in the curriculum so as to master the repertoire. Self-mastery hours include 30% of self-directed hours i.e. practicing the repertoire in your own time at home or with other students. NOTE: Polestar Online Academy can also be used as a tool for your self-practice hours. The remaining hours may be a combination of Matwork, Reformer and/or Studio sessions.

Apprentice Teaching: Once you feel confident in the repertoire, you will be expected to assist a senior instructor or Pilates practitioner (preferably Polestar qualified) within a Pilates Studio workplace in order to gain practical experience. You will teach under their guidance and assist with tactile cueing and client correction for the remaining hour to achieve sign off. NOTE: a qualified Pilates instructor must be present at all Apprentice Teaching sessions to provide sign off and feedback.

Self-Study Requirements: following is the recommended MINIMUM hours required per week for duration of the course:

  • Self-Practice – minimum 2 hour per week
  • Supervised Practice – minimum 2 hour per week
  • Observation – minimum 2 hours per week
  • Apprentice Teaching – minimum 2-3 hours per week (from S/R-2)
  • Written homework – minimum 3 hours per month

For all hours, 50% can be completed with a non-Polestar trained instructor.

Logbook: You are responsible for completing the reading and writing assignments and ensuring your logbook is checked off by a Polestar Educator or Mentor: all repertoire must be signed off for teaching and demonstration. Polestar allocates time at each face to face weekend for check-off but if you have not completed these, they must be done in your own time at your cost with a Polestar Mentor.

Practicums: Practicums help accelerate your teaching and demonstration hours in a supported environment with an Educator. Teaching is within a clinical format against units of competency and allows students to accrue 2 hours for 1 hour (1:2) towards their student logbook.

Topics included will be review of Theory, Repertoire, Case Studies and Self-Mastery demonstration and teaching. They are scheduled generally over 3 hours but this can vary and some are online.

There are 2 Practicums scheduled as part of the Reformer course and, effective from October 2024, they are included in the course fees.

TEXT BOOKS

As part of the training Polestar recommends the following text to assist with your learning:

  • Anatomy of Movement, Blandine Calais-Germain: Eastland Press 1993.
  • Pilates Evolution, the 21st Century or Return to Life through Contrology – Joseph Pilates: Bain Bridge Books.
  • Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery, Eric Franklin: Human Kinetics 1996.
MENTORS

Mentorship & Check-offs are held regularly with the local Educator. These sessions allow students to get direct feedback on their movement and teaching as they progress through the material taught at the previous modules.

Select exercises will be filmed and submitted to the lead educator to check for competency. These “check-offs” are required prior to sitting for the final exam.

If competencies are not met during these sessions, additional fees may apply to schedule time to check-off missed exercises.

Students will be required to complete practice hours (self-mastery), which are in addition to course fees. Polestar have a national network of New Zealand mentors that can offer assistance with practice and teaching hours: click here for the list of names and locations.

Further information will be given out on the first day of the course.

POLESTAR’S ONLINE RESOURCE CENTRE
Upon registration, you are automatically enrolled into Polestar’s world-leading Online Resource Centre where you will have access to interactive study resources including lectures, case studies, repertoire review and much more.

Check your inbox for an email outlining your homework assignments and lots of useful information for your course.

Prior to or during your first weekend, you will receive your manuals and this is when you can start to complete your logbook hours.

PRACTICUMS
Practicums help accelerate your teaching and demonstration hours in a supported environment with a Polestar Educator.

Teaching is within a clinical format against units of competency and allows students to accrue 2 hours for 1 hour (1:2) towards their student logbook.

Topics included will be review of Theory, Repertoire, Case Studies and Self-Mastery demonstration and teaching. Reformer Practicums are scheduled generally over 4hrs but can be shorter and are mostly online via Zoom.

There are 2 online 4-hour Practicum Sessions scheduled as part of the course and are included in the course fees (effective from October 2024). You need to attend both Practicums.

Please click here and look for the “Course Locations & Dates” for the exact dates & times for when the Practicum Sessions will be held.

FINAL EXAM
You have 12 months from when you complete Part / Phase 2 to take your exam.

For the Reformer exam please allow 3-4 hours for the total written and practical examination process. The written examination consists of a 1-hour 50 question multiple-choice section, and a 1-hour case study. The multiple-choice examination will cover the material taught in the courses, general exercise knowledge, equipment set-up, cueing, safety, precautions and modifications, contraindications, the Polestar Fitness Screening, and Pilates history.

For the case study, you will create two, hour-long group Reformer classes including modifications for specific populations.

The practical examination is a group class with 4 examinees – typically 1 hour, with 15 minutes for each person to teach 4 exercises randomly selected by the examiner.

Exercises are drawn from a hat. Each paper to be drawn has 4 pre-printed exercises on it, basic to advanced, plus any variations necessary. Students have a total of 15 minutes to teach their 4 exercises to the rest of the group, who are the mock class. The students in the “class” are graded on their demonstration of the exercises at the same time that the teacher is graded on their teaching skills.

After the teacher finishes the examiner will call them aside and ask them any questions that remain, i.e. exercise principles, common mistakes, precautions and contraindications, modifications, exercise rationale.

The entire exam is worth a total of 100 points.

The candidate will need to achieve an 80% pass mark on both written and theory sections of the exam.

Exam Fees of $450 (incl. GST) are not included in the Course Fees. Click here to register for your Reformer Exam.

PLEASE NOTE: All logbook hours, face to face weekends and assignments must have been completed.

REGISTRATION POLICIES

Please ensure to familiarise yourself with our Registration Policies (incl. Cancellations and Transfers) on this page before you register.

PLEASE NOTE: It’s very important to register well ahead of time, because you need to complete the online theory portion of the course prior to attending in-person weekend. Don’t hesitate and register now!

If you need help with our online registration system, please CLICK HERE.

As you can see below, you can register for a BUNDLE of both the Mat and Reformer Series in one go. This saves you a considerable amount compared to completing these two course series separately.

The Mat and Reformer Series bundle is made up of PPO, MAT-1, MAT-2, REF PHASE-1, REF PHASE-2, and includes the Practicum sessions.

NOTE: It’s very important to register well ahead of time, because you need to complete the online theory portion of the course prior to attending in-person weekend. Don’t hesitate and register now!

PLEASE NOTE: To avoid paying the credit card fee, which you will incur when you use any of the above options, internet transfer the full amount into the Polestar account 030104 0440078 00 (Westpac).

Then please let us know by clicking here.

Make sure to add your name as a reference, otherwise we may not recognise your payment!



Tell us about your experience as a Polestar Reformer student!

We’re committed to providing the very best in Pilates education and resources, but we can’t do it without you!

Your thoughts on our courses, the online platform, the Mentors etc. help us shape a better experience for everyone.

✨ By sharing your feedback, you’re not only helping us improve, but you’re also inspiring the next generation of Pilates professionals! ✨

We therefore would love to hear from you — please take a few minutes to share your experience below




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Training with Polestar NZ

November 8, 2024

When I decided to do my reformer pilates training I chose Polestar NZ because it was recommend to me by someone whose classes I loved attending. It was the best decision I made. I originally decided to do the training for ‘fun’ – to see if it was something I wanted to pursue. After the first weekend intensive I was hooked and am now on the journey to change careers. The mentors at Polestar NZ are not only experts in what they were teaching us but they were also so incredibly kind and helpful. Studying again can be daunting but they made it feel like it was achievable and that they were there to support every step of the way. I came out of my training with Polestar with a whole new view of what Pilates is and what it can do for people. I am so grateful for the mentors at Polestar NZ and I can’t wait to continue my education with Polestar.

Natalie

Training with Polestar

November 5, 2024

I have completed the Mat, Reformer, Mat and Reformer mentoring and the Comprehensive series through Polestar. I love the depth of knowledge I’ve gained about anatomy and movement. The resources and ongoing education are fantastic. I feel very well qualified to work with peoples bodies and understand different pathologies that may present. This training challenges you to go deeper and become very professional. I am very grateful.

Ann
Click here to give us your review about your experience as a Polestar Reformer student

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