The Pilates Reformer is an extraordinarily flexible piece of exercise equipment allowing resistance and support for exercises involving every part of the body. Our program gives you a thorough understanding of how to use the Reformer to develop core and extremity strength, stability, flexibility, coordination and balance. The wide range of exercises provides a stimulating workout for clients at any level of ability. Courses are taught by Tom McCook.
Our Reformer teacher training program includes:
- Exercise instruction in the complete Pilates Reformer repertoire
- A comprehensive manual consistent with current national standards
- Cuing, coaching, safety and teaching tips for clients at different levels of ability
- Guidelines for teaching older adults, pre- and post-natal women, and clients with back, knee, neck and shoulder conditions
- Program design for clients at every level including sports specific lessons
- Equipment safety and maintenance
50% Discount - Balanced Body Alumni!
For Alumni who would like to retake any course at Center of Balance, we extend a 50% discount! This is a great opportunity for refreshing your skills with Tom! Email us for the discount code!
Register for Reformer Teacher Training at Balanced Body!
REFORMER 1: Introduction to Reformer & Movement Principles
January 29 - 31, 2021
REFORMER 1 introduces the Universal Reformer, the center piece of the Pilates equipment studio and an invaluable training tool. Reformer 1 includes an introduction to safely using the Pilates Reformer for a wide variety of supine, seated and standing exercises for the beginning to intermediate student. Movement Principles include improving lower body alignment, creating balanced muscle development and learning a protocol for effectively training the upper body.
Days and Times
- Friday: 3pm - 7pm
- Saturday: 11am - 6pm
- Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Prerequisites
- Pilates Movement Principles
- 20 Pilates Reformer sessions completed
Instructor
Tom McCook
Cost
$550
Register for Reformer Teacher Training at BB!
REFORMER 2: Intermediate Exercises
Reformer 2 expands the potential of the Reformer with intermediate and advanced exercises and modifications along with programs designs for special populations including pre–and post–natal clients and clients with osteoporosis and lower back injuries. Class design, dynamic assessment and correcting common dysfunctional movement patterns are also included.
Days and Times
March 26 - 28, 2021
- Friday: 3pm - 7pm
- Saturday: 11pm - 6pm
- Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Prerequisites
- Reformer 1 completed
Instructor
Tom McCook
Cost
$550
Register for Reformer Teacher Training at BBU!
REFORMER 3: Advanced Exercises & Programming
Reformer 3 is the pinnacle of the Reformer work and includes advanced and super advanced exercises to challenge clients to achieve their best. Progressive sequences designed to teach students advanced movement skills are included along with an introduction to the revolutionary Principle Based Programming System helping you to create successful classes for clients at any level.
May 21 - 23, 2021
Days and Times
- Friday: 3pm - 7pm
- Saturday: 11am - 6pm
- Sunday: 10:30am - 5pm
Prerequisites
- Reformer 2 completed
Instructor
Tom McCook
Cost
$550
Register for Reformer Teacher Training at BB!
Prerequisites
- 20 Pilates Reformer classes
- Completion of Pilates Movement Principles highly recommended (required for test out)
- Anatomy recommended (required for test out)
Practice Sangha
Center of Balance is committed to support and encourage students actively enrolled in the BB training courses with Tom and working toward certification. A key piece of this process is the hours required to build teaching skills and confidence, specifically in completing your hours of observation, practice teaching and self-practice. Our goal is to help you develop the confidence and skills to teach by providing a rich learning environment that you can be immersed in, and not train in isolation. We want for you to feel that you have a base at Center of Balance to practice, observe and collaborate with others in the training and learn from the staff of teachers at the studio.
Practice Sangha, or "Practice Community," is a program specifically for BB student teachers actively studying with Tom toward Reformer and/or full certification. It begins after Reformer 1. The cost is $100/month and includes the following:
Observation (Pilates equipment), self-practice and practice teaching hours (during studio hours Monday through Saturday). These hours are to be scheduled in advance during select times for seamless accommodation in our busy studio. Note that teacher-led classes and sessions are not part of the Practice Sangha — we do offer discounted rates for students actively enrolled in the full certification program at Center of Balance. Also note that observation is for private Pilates equipment sessions and not mat classes or group classes.
Required Materials (Available From Balanced Body)
Please contact Balanced Body for required materials at 1-877-Pilates (745-2837)
Starting 2019 - To become a fully qualified Balanced Body Reformer Instructor, students must complete the following:
- Movement Principles module
- Reformer 1, 2 and 3 modules
- Reformer Practical hours (150 hours total)
- 30 Reformer personal sessions
- 30 observation hours
- 90 student teaching hours - Anatomy
Total hours: 214 (not including anatomy)
Pre 2019 - total hours for completion of Reformer program = 198 hours, not including anatomy
(total hour for completion of Mat & Reformer program = 300 hours)
- Anatomy
- BBU Mat Instructor training or equivalent
- BBU REFORMER 1 - Course work, written and practical test (18 hours)
- BBU REFORMER 2 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
- BBU REFORMER 3 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
- 50 Personal practice hours and 100 Teaching hours or
- 30 Reformer personal sessions, 30 observation hours and 90 teaching hours
- Practical test
(NOTE: Center of Balance offers discount rates for students who are actively enrolled in the full training program (Mat, Reformer and Apparatus) at Center of Balance. The student discount begins once a student has taken Reformer 1 & 2 and Apparatus 1).
Upon completion of all of the requirements, a certificate of completion as a Balanced Body University Reformer Instructor will be issued.
About Tom
Tom is an internationally recognized Pilates Master Teacher and movement specialist. Beginning his full-time career in personal training in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for a range of clients, from Silicon Valley executives and Olympic athletes, to active seniors and people looking for solutions to their imbalances and injuries. Tom's unique approach synthesizes over 30 years of fitness training, Pilates, body therapy, Somatics, the Franklin Method of experiential anatomy and imagery, anatomy in motion, meditation and Life Coaching. His fascination with movement began at an early age playing sports and growing up in a large athletic family with 11 siblings. Tom's teaching focus is to inspire and empower people to access their mind/body intelligence with a practical understanding of their own anatomy through mindful movement and consistent practice. These skills go beyond exercise to cultivate presence, dignity and being responsive and resilient in life. His long and successful history working with athletes include the Stanford women's swim team and four Olympic Gold medal swimmers.
Tom has been leading teacher trainings in the Pilates Method since 2001 at Center of Balance, recognized as a premier movement, body therapy and education center. Tom is part of the teacher training faculty for Balanced Body for PIlates, CoreAlign and the Bodhi suspension system. Tom is also a sought-after international presenter at conferences, retreats and studios worldwide. He is on the teaching staff for the Franklin Method Institute, a groundbreaking education system for improving movement potential, health and mind/body mastery. Tom also reaches an international student audience through his online classes and tutorials on PilatesAnytime.com. In 2003, Tom produced the exercise video “Combining Pilates & Yoga for Balance.”
