Balanced Body Written Test Exam 2026/2027
UPDATED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
9 Pilates Principles . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Breathing
2. Balanced Muscle Development
3. Centering
4. Control
5. Concentration
6. Precision
7. Relaxation
8. Rhythm/Flow
9. Whole Body Movement
• 5 Pilates Movement Principles . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Breathing
2. Lower Core Activation
3. Lumbopelvic Stability
4. Neutral Spine
5. Release Work
• 5 muscles of the core or inner unit . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Diaphragm
2. Multifidi
3. Pelvic Floor
4. Psoas
5. Transversus abdominus
• What country was Joseph Pilates born in? . CORRECT ANSWER: Germany
• In what year did Joseph Pilates move to the US? . CORRECT ANSWER: 1926
• What US city did Joseph Pilates live and teach in? . CORRECT ANSWER: New York
City
• Which of the following mat exercises are contraindicated for clients with osteoporosis?
-100
-Rolling like a Ball
-Double straight leg stretch
-Swan
-Side leg series
-Single leg kicks . CORRECT ANSWER: -100
-Rolling like a Ball
-Double straight leg stretch
• Name 3 Mat exercises that are safe throughout pregnancy . CORRECT ANSWER: 1.
Side leg lifts (abductors, core stability)
2. Mermaid/Side stretch
, 3. Cat/cow
• What bony landmarks define a neutral pelvis? . CORRECT ANSWER: ASIS and
Pubic Bone
-In supine, these are parallel to the ground
-In seated/standing, these are perpendicular to the ground
• List at least 2 ways to modify Spine Stretch for clients with tight hamstrings .
CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Slightly bend the knees
2. Sit up on a towel, small pad, rolled up mat or box
• Name 4-6 mat exercises that require caution for clients with low back problems .
CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Roll Up
2. Rolling like a Ball
3. Open Leg Rocker
4. Swimming
5. Saw
6. Double leg Stretch
• List 5 ways in which breathing facilitates movement . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Inhale
facilitates spinal extension
2. Exhale facilitates spinal flexion
3. Inhale facilitates spinal rotation
4. Exhale activates your core
5. The breath can increase/decrease muscle tone
• Name 3 Pre-Pilates exercises for engaging the core . CORRECT ANSWER: 1.
Fingertip Abdominals
2. Breathing/Pelvic Floor Engagement
3. All Fours Abdominals
• Name 6 Pre-Pilates exercises for increasing scapular mobility and stability .
CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Telescope Arms - Shoulder Mobility
2. Sternum Drop - Scapular Stability
3. Angels in the Snow - Shoulder Mobility
4. Pinwheel - Mobility
5. Plank - Stability
6. Standing Wall Pushup - Stability
• Name 4 Pre-Pilates Exercises for teaching pelvic stability . CORRECT ANSWER: 1.
Marching
2. Toe taps
3. Opposite Arm/Leg Reach
4. Marching in Bridge
• Name 3 different stretching techniques . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Contract/Release
UPDATED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
9 Pilates Principles . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Breathing
2. Balanced Muscle Development
3. Centering
4. Control
5. Concentration
6. Precision
7. Relaxation
8. Rhythm/Flow
9. Whole Body Movement
• 5 Pilates Movement Principles . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Breathing
2. Lower Core Activation
3. Lumbopelvic Stability
4. Neutral Spine
5. Release Work
• 5 muscles of the core or inner unit . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Diaphragm
2. Multifidi
3. Pelvic Floor
4. Psoas
5. Transversus abdominus
• What country was Joseph Pilates born in? . CORRECT ANSWER: Germany
• In what year did Joseph Pilates move to the US? . CORRECT ANSWER: 1926
• What US city did Joseph Pilates live and teach in? . CORRECT ANSWER: New York
City
• Which of the following mat exercises are contraindicated for clients with osteoporosis?
-100
-Rolling like a Ball
-Double straight leg stretch
-Swan
-Side leg series
-Single leg kicks . CORRECT ANSWER: -100
-Rolling like a Ball
-Double straight leg stretch
• Name 3 Mat exercises that are safe throughout pregnancy . CORRECT ANSWER: 1.
Side leg lifts (abductors, core stability)
2. Mermaid/Side stretch
, 3. Cat/cow
• What bony landmarks define a neutral pelvis? . CORRECT ANSWER: ASIS and
Pubic Bone
-In supine, these are parallel to the ground
-In seated/standing, these are perpendicular to the ground
• List at least 2 ways to modify Spine Stretch for clients with tight hamstrings .
CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Slightly bend the knees
2. Sit up on a towel, small pad, rolled up mat or box
• Name 4-6 mat exercises that require caution for clients with low back problems .
CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Roll Up
2. Rolling like a Ball
3. Open Leg Rocker
4. Swimming
5. Saw
6. Double leg Stretch
• List 5 ways in which breathing facilitates movement . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Inhale
facilitates spinal extension
2. Exhale facilitates spinal flexion
3. Inhale facilitates spinal rotation
4. Exhale activates your core
5. The breath can increase/decrease muscle tone
• Name 3 Pre-Pilates exercises for engaging the core . CORRECT ANSWER: 1.
Fingertip Abdominals
2. Breathing/Pelvic Floor Engagement
3. All Fours Abdominals
• Name 6 Pre-Pilates exercises for increasing scapular mobility and stability .
CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Telescope Arms - Shoulder Mobility
2. Sternum Drop - Scapular Stability
3. Angels in the Snow - Shoulder Mobility
4. Pinwheel - Mobility
5. Plank - Stability
6. Standing Wall Pushup - Stability
• Name 4 Pre-Pilates Exercises for teaching pelvic stability . CORRECT ANSWER: 1.
Marching
2. Toe taps
3. Opposite Arm/Leg Reach
4. Marching in Bridge
• Name 3 different stretching techniques . CORRECT ANSWER: 1. Contract/Release
