IM=X® Pilates began in New York City in the mid-90’s as a certification system for personal trainers, group exercise instructors, physical therapist, chiropractors, athletic trainers, and more. At the time, “big box” gyms were the standard, and IM=X® Pilates instructors brought the innovative new program into gyms such as Equinox, Town Sports International, Chelsea Piers, as well as professional sports teams such as the New York Mets, corporate wellness centers, medical facilities and more.
Having received many accolades over the years for the comprehensive and proprietary certification system, Founder Elyse McNergney decided to begin franchising in 2006, opening the first franchised location in the San Francisco Bay Area. Building upon the foundation of the excellent teacher training for which IM=X® Pilates had become known, the certification system was built into the franchise package. To this day, IM=X® Pilates and Fitness franchise studios all receive tuition-free certifications, continuing education, workshops, quality control and instructor reviews – for every member of their staff, for the life of their business.
This tuition-free format is virtually unheard of in the fitness industry. Typically, fitness instructors and personal trainers finance their own certification. Particularly for a Pilates certification, costs can run upwards of $5,000 and typically require a 500+ hour commitment. In addition, continuing education is generally required every two years in order for a trainer to gain and maintain employment in the industry. IM=X® and Elyse McNergney revolutionized this system, making it not only more affordable and achievable, but offering valuable payroll savings for studio owners as well.
Until 2020, IM=X® Pilates certifications were always delivered live and in-person, on site at over 30 franchised locations across the United States. IM=X® Pilates Master Trainers typically spent three to five days at each studio annually. Then came 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic ground all travel to a halt. At the time, there were three certifications already on the course calendar in Maryland, California and Texas. When IM=X® Headquarters made the call to cancel these certification courses, they wasted no time getting to work on an alternative solution.
IM=X® Pilates and Fitness completely pivoted to virtual certifications. Posed with the challenge of how to deliver the same high-quality education, incorporate physical and manual cues and workouts, and support and engage learners before during and after their certification week, the team got to work. The first step was to film dozens of workout sequences for instructional demonstrations within certification courses as well as for self-study and review before and after each course as well. Each sequence was paired with images, information about verbal and tactile cues, target muscles, common anticipatory postural adjustments, and other notes, and compiled into a brand new Master Trainer portal complete with virtual presentations that could be delivered from anywhere, to anywhere. The portal also includes a new and streamlined system of collecting course registration forms and an online exam formats which makes the written exam experience seamless for course participants.
Here’s how IM=X® Pilates virtual certifications work: first, franchise staff register through an online system to verify that they are IM=X® employees. At that time, they also receive their certification manual (delivered by mail to their host studio) and access to the applicable IM=X® OnDemand channel so that they can begin preparing for their coursework. About a week prior to the certification course, all registrants receive an email with course details and Zoom link to join. At the start of the course, all participants must join the Zoom link on time, and have their video camera turned on and microphone turned off (except to ask or answer questions) throughout all hours of the course. For some certification courses (such as IM=X® Mat, Barre and Yoga), participants can attend from home as long as they have the needed supplies and enough space for movement. Other courses require participants to join from their host studio in order to have access to equipment (such as the IM=X® Xercizer, IM=X® Tower and IM=X® Platform). Alternatively, all participants are always welcome to purchase IM=X® equipment for their homes for use during the course and for their home workouts and practice teaching.
Courses typically begin at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (7:00 AM Pacific Time) to accommodate all time zones. All courses begin with an introduction and presentation so participants can begin in a comfortable seat (you can literally learn from your couch!) but get ready to get moving quickly because the first day always features an introductory workout. After the workout, while you rest and hydrate, be prepared for another presentation on various topics such as anatomy, exercise science research, and the IM=X Five Fundamentals. Next it’s time to start diving into the new exercises. All exercises are presented and explained by the Master Trainer with attention to proper equipment configuration, verbal and tactile cues, appropriate modifications and progressions, goals and target muscles of each exercises, and other applicable notes. Next, participants will have an opportunity to “practice teach” as well as perform each exercise. Peppered throughout the next few days of the course, prepare to alternate between practice teaching, periods of lecture presentations and demonstrations, and workouts to experience the movements for yourself.
The course will culminate with preparation for the next steps: exams and practice teaching. The IM=X® Basic certification requires a Written Exam so the final portion of the course is dedicated to review. Following all courses, at least 40 practice teaching hours are required to memorize the program and teach with proficiency. After completion of these practice teaching hours, the final step is to schedule and complete a practical exam with an IM=X® Master Trainer. Exams are scheduled through an online scheduling link and conducted via Zoom. After each practical exam, participants receive a detailed grading sheet with constructive feedback and are awarded either a passing or failing score. Assuming a passing score, certificates are sent out in the mail and you are officially IM=X® certified!