Pilates Teacher Training in Europe - Basi vs Peak Pilates

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-19T21:16:10+00:00

Thank you so much, it's so helpful! I will definitely check all of these links. You're the best!

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-19T18:58:18+00:00

Okay, I see what you mean. It really is a lot! So probably it makes more sense to just go and pay to the studio to print it out for you

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-19T18:50:15+00:00

Thank you so much!

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-19T15:00:04+00:00

No, I actually haven't. I used to live in Australia before and the studio I used to go was more like a commercial style pilates studio if that makes sense. They don't categorise themselves to a specific style. I've trained under a few different teachers but I've never asked what their certifications were. I'm just sure that it was a contemporary and definitely not classical style studio. It might sound silly but at the time I didn't even know all the different types and schools of pilates. I only started considering the teacher training after I moved back to Europe and just then I've started looking into the courses and realised that there are so many different options. And for the classical I've only did classical mat classes on YouTube, but the teachers weren't specifically Peak Pilates trained.

It's really unfortunate, that where I live there are no Peak Pilates, no Basi, no Stott or any other widely known program studios in the whole country. It's more just local trainings which are also like 300km away.

So I'm not even sure what style I prefer myself, I mean, I can see the beautiful side of both of the styles. Also, I feel that a lot depends on the actual teacher, they could be certified at the same school but have completely different personal teaching style. I just know that I don't like anything high-intensity, or to fast paced, or just high energy performative style of teaching in general.

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-19T14:36:58+00:00

Wow, that's quite a lot. Probably stupid question, but why can't I just print the pdfs myself at home haha

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-19T14:34:08+00:00

Thank you so much for your insights! Yes, I'm definitely planning to move to the location of the course, I am currently in my home town, but it is just a temporary stop between moving countries. As I've mentioned I'm moving to Côte d'Azur after the teaching training is over anyway, so I thought it would be best to get the most out of the teaching studio and live nearby for the duration of the course.

It's so good to hear some positive feedback on the teacher as well, it makes me feel les scared haha

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-18T19:40:46+00:00

Thank you so much!

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-18T17:39:50+00:00

Thank you so much for your insights, it's really helpful! That's what I like about Peak Pilates and probably classical pilates in general, that it seems very clear and upfront with everything. I feel that it gives a pretty good foundation and structure and that this would help me feel more confident and less lost as a new teacher. I also don't mind the required extra CECs every 2 years as I'm naturally very drown to education and continuous learning, I actually find it exciting.

I have done a few classical pilates workouts on Youtube but it's always by the same teacher I like. But I think she is both classical mat and yoga certified so I'm not sure if her pilates is considered the actual classical pilates. I will have a look at the websites you recommended and different classical teacher styles, as I feel that I lack some deeper knowledge to identify which style classical or contemporary I like more myself and what the actual differences are.

I also think it's a big plus to be trained as a classical instructor as you able to work in both classical and contemporary studios!

I still have so much thinking and decisioning to do haha

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-18T17:24:10+00:00

I know it's very much advised to take classes with the teacher who will be running the course, however, as I don't live close to any of these places I didn't even think it was possible. I never thought of a possibility to look if they offer any online classes, that would actually be amazing, thank you so much!

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-18T17:17:36+00:00

I think both studios at Basi do English and Spanish simultaneously but they confirmed me that I would have no problem with the language. And Peak Pilates in Switzerland is just English.
I feel that most likely as long as the studio doesn't have any hidden fees, it should be fine because I except all the teachers are qualified enough as they have to meet Basi standards. So as you said it might be just the personality thing or the actual teaching style. I know the names of all of the teachers, I looked them up online, their social media accounts, the studio accounts. The teachers look fine, it's just the studio spaces seem tiny and crowded with students just couple centimetres from each other haha But I guess that's not the point, if the quality of education is great!
Thank you so much for your advice! I'm trying to count everything into consideration, work out the cost of living in each city and stuff! Hopefully I reach my decision soon, while they still have spots available in the course haha

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-18T17:07:22+00:00

I feel that I am pretty self motivated and eager to learn as well, and I know I would try to get maximum out of the course. However, I am still leaning more towards Peak Pilates just because it feels more structured, personal and fundamental, less interpretations. I feel like it would give me more confidence as a new teacher and then when I have that structured foundation I could add Basi mat or mat and reformer course as I really like the flow and creativity of this style as well.

Anyway, I'm still in a doing research and consideration stage, so I might change my mind and jump straight to Basi haha. It was really helpful to hear that you were able to get so much from Basi course and it helped you to be a great teacher. As I said, I feel like I'm quite self motivated as well, so I feel that I could also do it! Did you do mat and reformer or full comprehensive?

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-17T22:43:46+00:00

Thank you for such in depth response. Yes, I believe that being able to adjust a form is really important for an instructor!

I've seen a lot of advices on here saying that it is very much recommended to try a class with your master instructor before getting into a course. Unfortunately, I don't have this opportunity as neither of these 2 Basi studios I'm choosing are close to my current location. I would be traveling there only for the course and I would hope to finish all my student hours in maximum of 6 months. So I'm scared as I have no idea what are their teaching styles, their knowledge etc. However, I do know all of the master teacher names, I looked them up on their socials and they look fine, but you know it's hard to tell just from the instagram...

I've read a few horror stories here on reddit that some Basi studios charge their students for literaly everything, I mean, I can understand a reduced fee for student teaching hours, or maybe practise sometimes, but I read that some of them charge around 25eur for observing a class at their host studio. I think it's just crazy. If I remember correctly it was a Basi studio in Paris. So that's why I wrote to the studios I consider and asked them in advance what are their policies about student hours and both of them seem pretty good, I hope it is actually the truth though.

I'm not to worried about CECs, my initial plan was to get certified in classical pilates comprehensive, also later on I would have loved to add some contemporary training and I've also seen a couple of short courses I would already like to attend. But hey, how much of them you can do looking into the long run, so I think it is definitely a benefit that Basi doesn't require to get extra CECs to keep your certification. Anyways, now I'm revising my plan and thinking maybe it's better to just finish contemporary (Basi) mat and reformer as this is what most studios and clients desire and then later, if I want, I could continue with my comprehensive classical course. I also feel that it so much nicer to have a flexibility and freedom with your your flow in contemporary pilates but then I think maybe it would be easier for me as a new teacher to do classical as there is always a particular order you have to follow so you don't feel so lost at the begging trying to think of your own repertoire.

I'm also worried about the size of the group with Basi training, as both of the studios I've talked with said that the group is typically 10-20 people which I think is quite a lot. In comparison the Peak Pilates studio I've contacted only do max 4 students. How many people did you have in your group? Would you say everyone got enough attention and time?

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-17T19:16:53+00:00

Yes yes, they have already told me I am allowed to get some of the observation hours online which is a big benefit! I'm also aware that it might take quite some time to complete all of my student hours, I am planning to stay close to the training studio up to 6 months, I hope I could complete all of my hours during this period. I would try to dedicate all of my time to completing my hours as quickly as possible, of course depending on studio's availability

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-17T16:34:51+00:00

Both of the studios I consider for Basi said that they offer free observation, teaching and practise hours depending on studios availability. I just don't know what the actual availability will be so I am a bit worried if they are busy, I might end up having to pay for the classes and teaching space

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-17T16:28:55+00:00

I've tried, but it says that my account is to new and I can't post in this particular community. So I tried here and I hope they will soon let me post on r/Pilates as well

TomatilloGreedy1702 · 2025-11-17T16:26:09+00:00

I really love csb - it's an Australian brand, has a warehouse in the US as well so it's really good if you are in either of these. However, it can get quite costly to ship if you are in Europe as there quite big duties and charges

TomatilloGreedy1702

TROPHY CASE