FAQ

Helpful Information for Private Lessons & for Affiliations

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a style of fitness that focuses on elongating muscles, connecting & engaging core muscles, improving balance, and learning how to safely execute movements to help strengthen your body.

What is the difference between mat Pilates and Equipment Pilates

Mat Pilates was designed for the physically fit person in a group setting but can still be done in Private lessons. Small apparatus is sometimes used (as in hand weights, core ball, Pilates circle, etc.), but normally the entire class is done either lying, sitting, kneeling or standing on a mat. If you need personalized assistance during class (just had a surgery or have an ailment that keeps you from being able to get up and down from the mat with ease), Private mat or Pilates Apparatus lessons are recommended.

Equipment Pilates was originally designed for one-one-one Private lessons where the instructor could use hands on instruction and personalize the workout to fit the individual's needs. Equipment Pilates was designed to help clients strengthen their body back to their original strength so they may go back to taking Pilates Mat Classes. A lot of doctors and PT's recommend their clients to take Pilates Equipment lessons after a surgery due to the equipment being able to assist clients during exercise, allowing the client to strengthen their body with the help of the apparatus.

**Nowadays.... studios do group classes on the Pilates Equipment. A misconception that most clients get is that they will have the personalized attention that Private Equipment Lesson gives during an Equipment Class. This is FALSE. There is absolutely no way that an instructor could give one-one-one attention during a class and still keep the flow of the class moving along. **

How Often Do I Need To Do Private Lessons?

That depends on the individual. All clients are different and have different needs. Most clients typically take lessons 2-3 times per week. But, that all can be determined after your Introductory lesson. You and J can create a personalized program and decide how often you two will meet. J usually assesses your progress after the first month to see if you need to add more, take away or keep the current program.

What Should I Expect During the Introductory Lesson

You will meet with J. Tell her about any previous or upcoming surgeries, injuries, or misalignments, along with your fitness/health goals (ex. lose weight, gain weight, strengthen core, elongate muscles, increase flexibility, increase balance, strengthen after surgery, help your mood, etc) J will introduce you to herself, give you a little background, and explain to you what she can do to help you achieve your goals. After that, J will get you on either the Pilates Reformer or Pilates Tower and show you some basic core movement performed on the apparatus. With just a 10-20 minute mini workout with J, you will see why so many love the apparatus.

After all of that, you two will decide if J and you will make a good fit and J will email you her recommended workout plan for you.

How long is my Certification in good standing?

4 years. You must complete the recommended 20 CE's every 4 years to maintain your J Certification in Good Standing.

How do I open my own J Reform or J Barre Affiliation?

You must complete the following steps to become an Affiliation:

***must complete J Reform I and/or J Barre Certification before opening up your own J Studio Affiliation***

1. Email Lacy J with your interest in becoming a J Pilates or J Barre location.

2. Fill out the Affiliation Application.

3. If you are accepted, you must submit a business plan.

4. Create your own Business Legal Structure and provide proof of Instructor Liability Insurance (after location has been established, proof of Business Insurance will need to be sent over as well)

5. Sign License Agreement & Payment Agreement. To use the trademarked "J" in your DBA as well as for marketing, you will need to sign the License Agreement and establish a payment plan for the $1,000-$5,000 (depending on the level of involvement needed by J in opening your Affiliation. Please see this page for more information) first year and $600 ($50/mo) for every additional year to be able to use the logo. The Affiliation Payment will include:

Use of the trademarked J in your DBA
Use of the trademarked J in your marketing material
Guidance and access to all J Pilates or J Barre marketing material
Month-to-month marketing guidance
1st year business launch assistance (more details here)

Why do I have to complete J Reform I or J Barre before opening up my own J Affiliation?

J Reform I and J Barre both go over the basics of teaching a J Group Class in both foundation teacher trainings. Both go over basic terminology, anatomy, movement, alignment and core beliefs in how to teach the J way. You will need this in order to open and run a J Pilates or J Barre location.

Will I be able to teach at other locations besides J Reform or J Barre Affiliates.

Yes. If you are looking to teach Pilates at another location, you must first check and see how many Certified Hours you need. I would recommend, at least, completing Reform I & Reform II before attempting to teach at another Pilates location. Reform III might be required as well, depending on the requirements for that specific location.

J Barre you will be able to teach at another location, but know all studio locations have their own requirements, so make sure you check them out before completing any training or certification.

What is the difference between J Reform I, J Reform II & J Reform III?

J Reform I is your most basic training that will give you all the tools you need to teach a Beginner to Intermediate level Pilates Reformer class. This WILL NOT allow you to teach an advanced level class or Private Lessons that require injury specific exercises. You MAY teach private instruction to anyone who just want to learn Pilates and has no physical restrictions (previous surgeries, injuries or medical conditions).

J Reform II will further your training to allow you to begin teaching more advanced classes. However, J believes that MOST clients in a class setting (4 or more clients per class), should rarely do any advance movements due to risk of injury.

J Reform III is specifically designed to train instructors how to teach to clients with specific needs (aka common injuries or rehab needs). **all clients must be released by their doctor and/or PT before participating in ANY form of J Pilates or Barre classes/personal training.

May I open more than one Affiliated location?

Yes, you may. However, you must receive Lacy J's permission on each location to make sure you are not impeding on another Affiliates location. If you are the only Affiliation in that specific are, you may open studios wherever you like.

May I open up a J Reform and J Barre Affiliation in the same studio?

Yes, you may. You may structure your studio however you would like. You may offer J Pilates and/or J Barre along with yoga, kickboxing, CrossFit or whatever other style of fitness you would like. Being Affiliated is just showing that you were trained by our J Teacher Programs and have a style of teaching that is conclusive of J style teaching. But what you offer and how you run your studio is up to you.