club pilates written EXAM Questions with 100% Correct Answers | Verified | Updated (Actual Exam) 2025\2026

Bridge with knee extensions is a beginner move because it introduces a longer lever angle on the low back.

False

Mermaid cannot be modified and should not be done unless the client is ready.

False (Mermaid has modifications where the client can have multiple limitations and still get the benefit from the move)

Why would you place the leg straps above your client's knees during feet in straps series?

If your client needed a smaller Range of Motion (ROM) in the hip joint

What is the best way to evaluate the ROM of the ankles?

Heels lower and Lift

What are the contraindications for Swan on the Reformer?

Pregnancy, shoulder replacement, slipped disc, osteoporosis

When is a client ready to jump?

When they have a stable pelvis and they are able to maintain a basic level of proprioceptive awareness?

The correct starting position for Backstroke on the long box is supine on the box with the head near the footbar and the torso flexed and supported on the box, legs in table top with the arms straight up and facing the ceiling.

False

What are the elements of good flow programming when teaching group Pilates classes?

Progressions, Transitions, Creative Sequencing

During Side Lying Legs in Straps Series, the spine should be in a neutral position.

True

How is footwork on the jumpboard different. than footwork on the reformer?

There is more surface area under the foot of the jumpboard which elicits a reaction closer to real life than the footbar on the reformer

What is the safest way to complete the arm facing side series?

Having the client sit on the carriage or long box

What are the major muscles emphasized in supine arms in straps series?

Transverse abdominis for stabilization, hip flexors to hold legs in place and latissimus dorsi & the long head of the tricep for arm movement

What is the most advanced variation of Bridge and why?

Semi circle - it incorporates multiple variations of spinal articulations and requires a client to have impeccable proprioceptive awareness

What are the four main muscles emphasized during footwork on the reformer?

Transverse Abdominis, Contralateral Obliques, Glutes, Hamstrings

Clients should always be in thoracic extension when jumping supine on the jumpboard?

False

Pick the correct list of possible matwork variations that could be taught on the reformer with arms in straps.

Single leg stretch, Double leg stretch, Lower and lift, Scissors, Helicopters, Criss-Cross, Frogs

How many springs should be on during Short Box Series?

ALL springs

Pulling Straps Series develops posterior chain strength which beneficial for better posture.

True (make sure that you always tell your clients the "why" behind the move)

Footwork on the reformer shows the instructor key indicators of how the client's functional patterns may have created misalignments

True

For a client who has valgus knees, what is the most effective positioning and prop to use during footwork?

Feet parallel, Magic Circle at the outside of the upper knee area

Pick the correct group of contraindications for articulation during Bridge on the Reformer.

Pregnancy, hip replacements, slipped disc, osteoporosis

Bridge variations on the Reformer strengthen the back muscles and posterior chain overall.

True

The postural muscles are stabilizers during Presentation.

True (Yes, the postural muscles keep the body from swaying during the movement)

For Supine Arms in Straps series, the safest client progression would be in what order?

Start with head down & legs in table top, then progress to thoracic flexion with arm movement, followed by maintaining thoracic flexion the entire time and legs in extension.

Supine Arms in Straps Lower and Lift is done in which plane of motion?

All planes

Full Teaser on the reformer is performed on the Short Box.

False (Full Teaser should be done on the long box)

Why is Shave the head more advanced than Hug a Tree?

It has back extension involved, which requires more upper body strength and control

Which is the "best" way to transition?

Instructor changes the springs while clients do a different move to distract them.

During Side Lying Legs in Straps Series, when the leg sweeps forward, it should only sweep to the point that the hip and leg do not rotate or shift.

True

After finding out that a client has a healthy back, you should always start their spinal flexion in a hinge, NOT articulation

False

True or False: A client has a weak pelvic floor and cannot maintain table top with a stable pelvis may jump on the Jumpboard if they request it

False

The only way to make a move more difficult on the Reformer is by adding more resistance.

False (the Reformer is meant to challenge the body by requiring strength through stability and alignment which is met by a lighter resistance. The moves that have less springs are often times more difficult)

What moves must a client successfully complete before trying Coordination?

Arms in Straps and Tricep Press with Thoracic Extension

Single leg bridge variations are a good introduction to lateral strength and flexion for the spine.

True (Single Leg variations can be modified and ROM can be lessoned so that clients who need lateral flexion but cannot do full ROM can still get through the stabilization theory)

Pick the most level-appropriate sequence to START a class. (Beginner: Side-lying single leg jumping, 4-point), (Intermediate: 4 point kneeling jumping, Side-lying), (Advanced: Double leg footwork on the reformer, single leg)

Advanced

When you choreograph a class, you MUST stick to the plan and force everyone to do what you planned

False

What piece of apparatus does the Springboard mirror?

The lower end of the Cadillac

What is unique about the Springboard that sets it apart from the Reformer?

A client has more opportunities to work unilaterally under safe circumstances, standing or seated on a stable surface

If a client has a herniated disc, what exercises can they safely perform at the Springboard?

Thigh stretch

What is the "ancestor" of the Cadillac?

A hospital bed

For Chest Expansion standing facing the Springboard, the springs should be at which height?

Shoulder height

What exercises cannot be performed at the Springboard?

Swan

Which of the below invented the Springboard?

Ellie Herman

What exercise is helpful for a client with kyphotic shoulders?

Swan

When performing Side Lying Leg series at the Springboard, what number should the leg springs be hooked onto

4 or 5

What is not an anatomical piece of the Springboard?

Trapeze Bar

Explain the difference between yellow and purple springs on the Springboard

Yellow springs are shorter and used for upper body like Hands in Straps, Purple springs are longer and used for lower body like Legs in Straps

Is Cat Walkover approachable to the average, general population of clients?

No

What two pieces of apparatus does the Cadillac merge?

Reformer and Trapeze Table

What piece of apparatus came first: the Springboard or the Cadillac?

Cadillac

What is the imperative when using the Push Thru Bar with springs hooked on from below?

The instructor must attach the Safety Strap

Would Guillotine be a safe exercise to perform with someone with arthritis in their cervical spine?

No

When a client is completing Footwork on The Cadillac using the Push-Thru Bar with springs from below, what should you consider when determining if the exercise/apparatus combination is appropriate for the client?

All of the choices (Height of the Push-Thru Bar, Tightness of their hamstrings, Height of the client)

For a client with very tight shoulders, which of the following exercises could the client perform with the most success?

Kneeling Cat

What is a unique feature of the Cadillac versus the Reformer?

More exercises can be done on the Cadillac

How should the Cadillac be set up when performing Scapula Isolations?

Push Thru Bar with springs from above

What's the easiest variation of the Teaser at the Cadillac?

With knees bent and feet grounded

What exercises can be performed on the Chair?

Cat, Teaser, Side bends

What type of client should not do a Bridge exercise on the Chair?

A client with a hip replacement, A client who is pregnant, There are potential contraindications for Bridge in all of the above options, A client with a knee replacement

What exercise would be safest for a beginning student to attempt on the Chair?

Seated Footwork

Which set below contains an exercise that cannot be performed on both the Reformer and Chair?

Roll Over and Pushups, Mermaid and Swan, Teaser and Airplane

What client would not be permitted to attempt Pikes on the Chair?

All of these clients should not do Pike on the Chair

You can increase the level of difficulty/advance Bridge variations on the Chair by:

Lowering the resistance while maintaining the lift in the hips and pushing the pedal down (and then raising it up)

What is not a potential spring setting for a Chair exercise?

one@8 and one@4

If a client is supinating their feet while performing seated Footwork on the Chair, what suggestion might you offer?

Offer a prop like a ball to help their foot and ankle alignment

If a client is cleared for exercise but is recovering from a knee replacement, what might you do to best accommodate this client on the Chair?

Cue them to limit their ROM using a light to medium resistance

On the Chair, what is the name of the metal appliance where you hook the springs?

Cactus

What exercise(s) cannot be performed on the Spine Corrector? (select all that apply)

None of the above

If a client experiences vertigo from time to time, what exercise would you omit from their Ladder Barrel work?

Flat Back Leg Series

What client is allowed to do inverted exercises on the Spine Corrector (like lower and lift)?

A client with a fractured toe

What exercise would you avoid for a client with a knee replacement?

Rotation with attitude

Which of the below is/are the determining factor(s) to change the positioning of the Ladder Barrel? (Select all that apply)

The leg length of a client, The height of the client, The arm length of a client

If a client has trouble performing exercises that require pelvic stability, which exercises might you omit until the client is ready? (Select all that apply)

Leg circles

What exercises should a prenatal client omit from their Spine Corrector practice?

All of the options should be omitted (Roll Over, Grasshopper, Swan, Swimming)

What piece(s) of the Ladder Barrel should the instructor adjust with the client sitting on top?

None, the ladder barrel should not be adjusted with a client on the apparatus

Which part of the Ladder Barrel is adjustable?

The space between the Barrel and the Ladder

If a client needs more support in their lateral chain, which move would be best to do on the Ladder Barrel?

Side Bends

When is it imperative for the instructor to use hands-on support for the set up of a Ladder Barrel exercise?

Flat Back Lower and Lift

What exercise can be done on the Spine Corrector and not on the Mat?

Grasshopper

When a client is performing Quad Stretches at the Ladder Barrel, what form/alignment is most important?

ASIS in line with one another

If a client has a bulging disc, which Bridge variation could they perform on the Spine Corrector?

Hinging Bridge

When a client with fused vertebrae is performing Short Box Series on the Ladder Barrel, which variation should they omit?

Round Back with Rotation

There are multiple types of barrels. What is another name/are other names for what Balanced Body calls the foam Spine Corrector? (Select all)

Pilates Arc, Small Barrel

When performing Spinal Extension prone on the Spine Corrector, what should the teacher be doing? (Select all that apply)

Assisting the clients while keeping their ankles and legs steady, Watching their form and alignment nearby

Which order of movements explains how to apply Pilates principles of movement progression?

Flexion/extension, lateral rotation, circumduction

Which of the following applies to the anatomy of the Spine Corrector? (Select all that apply)

Step, Barrel, Handles

If a client has a herniated disc that "flares up sometimes," what exercise would be better to perform on the Ladder Barrel versus the Reformer?

Short Box Series

What is the best spinal movement for a client with Spinal Stenosis?

Neutral based movements

Are neutral based movements with slight amounts of extension for clients with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)?

Yes

Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is often referred to as "Runner's Knee." PFPS is associated with abnormal forces or prolonged repetitive compressive or shearing forces on the knees. These forces cause which of the following? (select all that apply)

An imbalance of the VMO, Improper patella tracking, Weak VMO with improper timing of muscle firing

The following describes with posture listed below: "Flexed thoracic spine with an anterior tilt in the pelvis"

Kyphosis-Lordotic posture

Depending on the type of hip replacement, some clients will eventually be able to move their knee and hip beyond 90 degrees

False

What are the most common postural change(s) that can occur during pregnancy? (Select all that apply)

Anterior pelvic tilt, Slight kyphosis, Lumbar spine lordosis

A client with sciatic nerve entrapment should avoid sitting for extended periods of time

True

Which of the following exercises would be best to introduce to a client who was just cleared to resume activity after a spinal fusion? (Select all that apply)

Planks, Quadrupled balance challenges

Of the below options, which are the local stabilizer(s) for the spine? (Select all that apply)

Multifidus, Internal Obliques, Diaphragm, Transverse Abdominis

If a client has Hyperlodosis, what programming would be most appropriate?

Strengthening the abdominals and quads stabilizing the pelvis in a supine-based neutral position

What does the TRX stand for?

Total Body Resistance Exercise

The Equalizer Loop hands 7 to 9 feet above the ground.

True

From shortest to longest, which order of strap length is correct for the Suspension Trainer?

Fully Shortened, Mid Length, Mid Calf, Fully Lengthened