AFPA PILATES INSTRUCTOR MAT FINAL 2026
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE PILATES PRINCIPLES
AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
◉ what exercise should a prenatal client omit from their spine
corrector practice? Answer: all of the above
◉ which springboard exercise is done in the sagittal plane? Answer:
roll-down with back extension
◉ which exercise is the best choice for someone with osteoporosis
to safely perform on the chair? Answer: one arm press, prone
◉ the barrel should be at what distance setting when performing the
sitting series on the ladder barrel? Answer: as close to the ladder as
possible
◉ what are the major muscles emphasized in the supine arms in
straps triceps press? Answer: transverse abdominis for stabilization,
hip flexors to hold legs in tabletop, latissimus dorsi and tricep for
arm movement
,◉ what are the recommended spring setting for arabesque? Answer:
1. one red
2. one green
3. one blue and one red
◉ pulling straps series develops posterior chain strength, which is
beneficial for better posture Answer: true
◉ depending on the type of hip replacement, some clients will
eventually be able to move their knee and hip beyond 90 degrees
Answer: true
◉ what client would not be allowed to do hanging-half on the
cadillac? Answer: all of the above
◉ in the supine arms in straps series, how would you safely progress
a client? Answer: head down & legs in tabletop, add thoracic flexion,
add leg extension, maintain thoracic flexion and leg extension
◉ which of the following exercises would be best to introduce to a
client who was just cleared to resume activity after a spinal fusion?
Answer: quadruped - add alternating arm and leg extension
, ◉ when a client with a spinal fusion is performing short box series
on the ladder barrel, which variation should they omit? Answer:
twist with round back
◉ when doing the side-lying leg series, the client will have more
stability with their upper body toward the back of the mat and the
feet shifted toward the front of the mat, while setting them up in the
middle of the mat could provide a stability challenge. Answer: true
◉ single leg bridge variations are a good introduction to lateral
strength and control of the pelvis and spine Answer: true
◉ what inspired joseph pilates to develop contrology and build the
reformer? Answer: 1. being in an internment camp with people who
were sick in hospital beds
2. being a boxer and athlete who wanted to make sure he was cross
training to create more strength overall
3. being a sick child who wanted to increase his lung capacity
through proper breathing
◉ Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) Is often referred to as
"Runner's Knee". PFPS is associated with abnormal forces or
prolonged repetitive compression or shearing forces on the knees.
These forces cause which of the following? Answer: 1. Imbalance of
the VMO
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE PILATES PRINCIPLES
AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
◉ what exercise should a prenatal client omit from their spine
corrector practice? Answer: all of the above
◉ which springboard exercise is done in the sagittal plane? Answer:
roll-down with back extension
◉ which exercise is the best choice for someone with osteoporosis
to safely perform on the chair? Answer: one arm press, prone
◉ the barrel should be at what distance setting when performing the
sitting series on the ladder barrel? Answer: as close to the ladder as
possible
◉ what are the major muscles emphasized in the supine arms in
straps triceps press? Answer: transverse abdominis for stabilization,
hip flexors to hold legs in tabletop, latissimus dorsi and tricep for
arm movement
,◉ what are the recommended spring setting for arabesque? Answer:
1. one red
2. one green
3. one blue and one red
◉ pulling straps series develops posterior chain strength, which is
beneficial for better posture Answer: true
◉ depending on the type of hip replacement, some clients will
eventually be able to move their knee and hip beyond 90 degrees
Answer: true
◉ what client would not be allowed to do hanging-half on the
cadillac? Answer: all of the above
◉ in the supine arms in straps series, how would you safely progress
a client? Answer: head down & legs in tabletop, add thoracic flexion,
add leg extension, maintain thoracic flexion and leg extension
◉ which of the following exercises would be best to introduce to a
client who was just cleared to resume activity after a spinal fusion?
Answer: quadruped - add alternating arm and leg extension
, ◉ when a client with a spinal fusion is performing short box series
on the ladder barrel, which variation should they omit? Answer:
twist with round back
◉ when doing the side-lying leg series, the client will have more
stability with their upper body toward the back of the mat and the
feet shifted toward the front of the mat, while setting them up in the
middle of the mat could provide a stability challenge. Answer: true
◉ single leg bridge variations are a good introduction to lateral
strength and control of the pelvis and spine Answer: true
◉ what inspired joseph pilates to develop contrology and build the
reformer? Answer: 1. being in an internment camp with people who
were sick in hospital beds
2. being a boxer and athlete who wanted to make sure he was cross
training to create more strength overall
3. being a sick child who wanted to increase his lung capacity
through proper breathing
◉ Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) Is often referred to as
"Runner's Knee". PFPS is associated with abnormal forces or
prolonged repetitive compression or shearing forces on the knees.
These forces cause which of the following? Answer: 1. Imbalance of
the VMO
