Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why should I choose a Polestar Pilates training course?
How long do I have to complete my course examination?
Do you provide for different payment options?
What happens if I am unable to complete the course?
Can I defer for a year? What happens with my payments?
Does Polestar provide continuing education for current and past students?
Do I need to hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate to undergo the course?
Do I need previous teaching experience?
What support is available for students in between the monthly weekend training sessions?
I have completed some Polestar course modules overseas, can I join your course halfway through?
How many CEC Points are awarded with Fitness Australia for Polestar Courses ?
Why should I choose a Polestar Pilates training course?
Polestar Pilates is part of an international company that:
- Is taught by experienced professionals
- Has the best coaching support in the industry
- Is built on scientific principles familiar to rehabilitation and fitness professionals
- Is centered on comprehensive problem solving skills, encouraging adaption and creativity
- Uses competency-based instructions to measure each student?s ability to justify exercise selections or treatment plans.
Polestar Pilates is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO no. 91620) under the AQTF with NSW VETAB and offers Nationally Recognised Training courses in Australia. Courses are competency based and are accredited to the Diploma level. Courses that are offered throughout Australia include:
CertificateIV in Pilates Matwork (91492NSW)
Diploma of Professional Pilates (91491NSW)
Comprehensive Reformer Series
For further information on course progressions and outcomes, click here.
Click here for our course progression chart.
Which course should I do?
Your choice of course will depend on what you want to achieve as an instructor and any previous training you may have had.
In order to become a fully qualified Pilates instructor within a studio environment, you will need to complete the Diploma of Professional Pilates (91491NSW). This course includes the full repertoire of Pilates for both Matwork (group and private) and Studio environment using all Pilates Equipment (Reformer, Trap table, Chair, Barrels, Ped-A-Pul, Spine Corrector and small apparatus).
If however you only wish to become a group Pilates instructor you need to complete the fitness course/s; specialising in the Matwork (Certificate IV in Pilates Matwork (91492NSW)) and/or Reformer (Comprehensive Reformer Series) disciplines. In addition to providing initial training for new Pilates instructors, these courses are also designed to build additional repertoire for existing studio Pilates instructors.
How will the Diploma/Certificate IV be of more benefit to me as opposed to other Pilates training programs in the market?
As a graduate of the Diploma or CertificationIV course you will receive greater recognition as a Pilates professional. You will be trained to formal and recognisable standards that are VETAB accredited and government endorsed. These courses are the only professional Pilates programs within the vocational education and training (VET) system, and set a benchmark for the Pilates industry and Pilates training programs. They have been extensively reviewed by external bodies, and incorporate standards in the health and fitness industry.
It is envisaged that before long, health funds and insurance companies will give greater recognition to graduates of these courses. Until now, there has been no recognizable Pilates Industry standards and structures that health funds and insurance companies can measure against ? the Diploma of Professional Pilates Practice sets this standard.
The other benefits you will receive are:
- Eligibility to apply for Austudy (full-time students only) and a student concession card for train and bus travel etc.
- Eligibility to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) and current competency (RCC)
- Greater recognition from allied health professionals, so as to extend your referral network
- The attainment of a vocational qualification that can articulate into other courses of health and fitness study
- Training with world-class Pilates facilities including student support and mentoring services
- A formal qualification that will give your potential clients the assurance of your expertise and professionalism.
How long do I have to complete my course examination?
Everyone learns at a different pace, however, most students take the exam around 6 to 12 months after finishing the course. Certification requirements include: attending all of the course hours, completing reading and writing assignments and short quizzes, as well as specified number of observation, self-mastery, and assistant teaching hours. To track your hours and progress, a log book will be issued at the start of your course. Certification is granted upon successful completion of the log-book, and an 80% pass mark on each section (both Theory and Practical) of the final exam.
Once you have finished the last module of any of our courses (M3, Ref3 or S6/R6) you have 12 months to complete your hours and sit your exam. Exams must be completed within 12 months of the final day of the course. In the event that you don?t complete your exam within this timeframe, you will need to repeat the full course. Course repeats will be charged at 50% of the current course cost.Can I get any recognition for the level of skills and knowledge I have already gained through courses I have previously completed?
Yes! Polestar Pilates has a policy that recognises the skills and knowledge that you may have gained via other forms of study and experience. Polestar Pilates Australia will formally recognise a candidate?s existing level of skill, either via:
- Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
- Credit transfer (DC)
If you wish to apply for RPL or DC, please contact Polestar Pilates Australia to request an application form during the registration process. You will be required to show evidence of your qualification/statement of attainment/training/experience when applying. Note: Polestar Pilates Australia will only consider applications for RPL or DC within four weeks of the course commencement.
Please click the following link for further PRL details.
Transition Option: If you have previously trained with another Pilates training company, you are the ideal candidate for our Transition Course. This course allows you to get the whole Polestar experience at a discounted rate and recognises your existing training and experience. Transition is available for our Pilates Studio and Pilates for Rehabilitation programs and you must be able to show proof of Pilates Certification through another organisation as outlined on our website. Full listing of all educator companies and information can be found on our Transition page.
Do you provide for different payment options?
Yes! We have many different payment options available to suit your circumstances and are willing to discuss any difficulties you may encounter. Please click here for the details of these payment options.
What happens if I am unable to complete the course?
Please review our cancellation policies here. We may vary these conditions on a discretionary basis if the circumstances merit.
Can I defer for a year? What happens with my payments?
Sometimes life can interfere with even our best intentions and course deferment is necessary. If you have started any of our courses, you may defer for 12 months. There are a few options regarding payments so please contact us as soon as you want to defer to discuss these. We will also ask that you fill out appropriate deferment forms.
Does Polestar provide continuing education for current and past students?
Polestar Pilates prides itself on the quality and variety of continuing education that we are able to provide. These include core curriculum courses, workshops, national and international conferences. Please click on this link for further details on dates, locations and pricing.
I understand that Anatomy and Physiology are required as a prerequisite. I do not meet these requirements so can you recommend a course I could take to satisfy the? Would online courses be acceptable?
Appropriate online courses are acceptable. We do not recommend or endorse any particular course but the following links have been provided by former students who have done their own research:
- Nature Care College NSW and via correspondence - www.naturecare.com.au
- The Natural Therapies Academy SA
- Endeavour College - www.endeavour.edu.au
We also recommend ?Anatomy of Movement? (Blandine Calais Germain) from our reading list.
Do I need to hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate to undergo the course?
No, you won?t need to hold a current First Aid Certificate to enroll in any of our courses. However, please keep in mind that you will need one to work in a reputable studio and to get the required insurance once you have completed your course.
Do I need previous teaching experience?
Any teaching experience that you have will be an advantage ? especially if it is movement teaching experience (e.g. ballet teaching, fitness instructor, yoga). However, it is not vital and we will consider your application on a case by case basis.
What support is available for students in between the monthly weekend training sessions?
Firstly, we encourage you to arrange observation and assistant teaching times with a Polestar graduate, mentor or educator between teaching weekends. Please speak to us to help you arrange a suitable studio.
Secondly, we encourage students to get together to practice. How this tends to work is a small group of 2 -4 students will hire a Polestar educator/mentor for two to three hours and share the ($100/hour) cost.
Due to personal commitments I am unable to attend one weekend of the course. What can I do about this?
Firstly, let us know as soon as possible. Usually we will transfer you to the same course in another state so that you will still complete the course within the set period. Additional transportation and accommodation costs would need to be covered by you. Alternatively, you are able to sit the module that you miss in the same state the following year. This is not always an available option as it will depend on which module you will miss. The final, and a little more expensive, option would involve arranging a private one-on-one with one of our educators at a mutually suitable time at a rate of $100 per hour.
I have completed some Polestar course modules overseas, can I join your course halfway through?
Absolutely, subject to places being available. We will only charge you for the courses you will be attending with us. You should seek a refund of unattended modules from the Polestar centre you enrolled with.
I have recently completed the Polestar Studio course overseas, but I am moving to Australia shortly. Can I sit my exam in Australia?
Yes, please contact us directly to arrange a suitable time and venue to sit your exam.
I qualified five years ago and have noticed that my certificate is due to expire shortly. How do I get it renewed?
It is important that we maintain high standards in the Pilates industry. Polestar Pilates continues to improve and develop its curriculum and examination process. Like most high-quality education programs, re-qualification is an essential part of maintaining skills and quality of care. Polestar Pilates Australia?s Diploma and CertificateIV qualification never expire, however to maintain your name being listed on the Polestar?s global website you will need complete a re-qualification form.
Download and complete this form, providing as much relevant information as possible, along with copies (no originals) of attendance and other certificates. Send this with your payment details and we will submit access your application and forward to the Polestar HQ in Miami for them them to issue a renewal certificate.
How many CEC Points are awarded with Fitness Australia for Polestar Courses?
The following CEC?s will be awarded with Fitness Australia when completed Polestar Courses.
- Polestar Principles (PF) -10 CECs
- Mat Series (M1, M2, M3) - 15 CECs
- Studio/Rehab Series (S/R1, S/R2, S/R3, S/R4, S/R5, S/R6) - 15 CECs
- Reformer Series (Ref1, Ref2, Ref3) -15 CECs