National Pilates Cert Common Exam
Questions and Answers
What's a good reason to arrive early to class? - ANSWER greet clients and set up the
room
Why should you continue your personal pilates practice? - ANSWER to maintain
your strength, stamina & enthusiasm
Which of the following exercises is BEST suited for a client in the 2nd
trimester? a - short spine massage on the reformer
b- seated double leg pumps on the wunda
chair c- swan on the trapeze table
d-standing side splits on the reformer - ANSWER B seated double leg pumps on the
wunda chair
Which of the following cues can improve the start position for the Standing
Chest Expansion?
a- draw shoulder blades together
b- hips back and chest forward
c- weight in the heels
d- reach the crown of the head to the ceiling - ANSWER D reach the crown of the
head to the ceiling
,What word did Joseph Pilates use to describe his body of work and exercise system?
- ANSWER Contrology
During your session, you notice the client stops moving when you provide a tactile cue -
what could this indicate? - ANSWER The client may be unclear of the tactile cue purpose
Which of the following should be the focus of a pilates program for a semi-
professional athlete with hyper mobility?
a- core control and flexibility
b- rang of motion and core control
c- flexibility and control
d- strength and stability - ANSWER D strength and stability
Which of the following symptoms requires immediate cessation of exercise with
a pregnant client and a follow up with her physician?
a- low back pain
b- nausea
c- abdominal pain
d- headache - ANSWER C abdominal pain
Why shouldn't you physically modify pilates equipment? - ANSWER the integrity of
the equipment might be compromised
Which of the following muscles would benefit from a stretch after a long time sitting?
a- rectus abdominus
b- IT band
,c- vastus lateralis
d- rectus femoris - ANSWER D rectus femoris
def of rectus femoris - ANSWER part of the quads. bulk muscle located in the
superior, anterior middle of the thigh. most superficial muscle of the quads
Def of rectus abdominus - ANSWER slung between the ribs and the pubic bone "six
pack"
Def IT band - ANSWER iliotibial band - thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along
the outside of your leg
Def of vastus lateralis - ANSWER located on the lateral side of the thigh. largest
muscle of the quads
A common similarity between Semi-circle, Rollover and Long Spine Massage is which
of the following?
a- focus of each is spinal articulation
b- focus of each is flexion
c- focus of each is upper extremity strength
d- focus is spinal extension - ANSWER Focus of each is spinal articulation
A client comes in for their session reporting that they fell down the stairs and feel
dizzy/nauseous. What is the best response from the pilates teacher? - ANSWER
have client contact their physician before resuming Pilates
Why should a pilates teacher have liability insurance? - ANSWER protects
against accidents & lawsuits that can occur at your place of business
, After completing a new client intake, what would a pilates teacher consider first
when designing a program?
a- establish exercise rhyme and timing
b- client safety
c- height and weight of client
d- creating rapport - ANSWER B client safety
Which of the following best describes the movement of the thoracic wall during
normal breathing?
a- diameter decreases
b- diameter stays the same
c- chest sinks
d- diameter increases - ANSWER D diameter increases
Which plane of movement does the exercise Side bend occur for the torso? - ANSWER
Frontal
Frontal Plane - ANSWER vertical plane running side to side
Sagital plane - ANSWER sagital plane divides the body into the left and right sides
Transverse Plane - ANSWER twisting and rotating movements of the torso
Horizontal Plane - ANSWER imaginary cross-section that divides the body into upper
and lower portions
Questions and Answers
What's a good reason to arrive early to class? - ANSWER greet clients and set up the
room
Why should you continue your personal pilates practice? - ANSWER to maintain
your strength, stamina & enthusiasm
Which of the following exercises is BEST suited for a client in the 2nd
trimester? a - short spine massage on the reformer
b- seated double leg pumps on the wunda
chair c- swan on the trapeze table
d-standing side splits on the reformer - ANSWER B seated double leg pumps on the
wunda chair
Which of the following cues can improve the start position for the Standing
Chest Expansion?
a- draw shoulder blades together
b- hips back and chest forward
c- weight in the heels
d- reach the crown of the head to the ceiling - ANSWER D reach the crown of the
head to the ceiling
,What word did Joseph Pilates use to describe his body of work and exercise system?
- ANSWER Contrology
During your session, you notice the client stops moving when you provide a tactile cue -
what could this indicate? - ANSWER The client may be unclear of the tactile cue purpose
Which of the following should be the focus of a pilates program for a semi-
professional athlete with hyper mobility?
a- core control and flexibility
b- rang of motion and core control
c- flexibility and control
d- strength and stability - ANSWER D strength and stability
Which of the following symptoms requires immediate cessation of exercise with
a pregnant client and a follow up with her physician?
a- low back pain
b- nausea
c- abdominal pain
d- headache - ANSWER C abdominal pain
Why shouldn't you physically modify pilates equipment? - ANSWER the integrity of
the equipment might be compromised
Which of the following muscles would benefit from a stretch after a long time sitting?
a- rectus abdominus
b- IT band
,c- vastus lateralis
d- rectus femoris - ANSWER D rectus femoris
def of rectus femoris - ANSWER part of the quads. bulk muscle located in the
superior, anterior middle of the thigh. most superficial muscle of the quads
Def of rectus abdominus - ANSWER slung between the ribs and the pubic bone "six
pack"
Def IT band - ANSWER iliotibial band - thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along
the outside of your leg
Def of vastus lateralis - ANSWER located on the lateral side of the thigh. largest
muscle of the quads
A common similarity between Semi-circle, Rollover and Long Spine Massage is which
of the following?
a- focus of each is spinal articulation
b- focus of each is flexion
c- focus of each is upper extremity strength
d- focus is spinal extension - ANSWER Focus of each is spinal articulation
A client comes in for their session reporting that they fell down the stairs and feel
dizzy/nauseous. What is the best response from the pilates teacher? - ANSWER
have client contact their physician before resuming Pilates
Why should a pilates teacher have liability insurance? - ANSWER protects
against accidents & lawsuits that can occur at your place of business
, After completing a new client intake, what would a pilates teacher consider first
when designing a program?
a- establish exercise rhyme and timing
b- client safety
c- height and weight of client
d- creating rapport - ANSWER B client safety
Which of the following best describes the movement of the thoracic wall during
normal breathing?
a- diameter decreases
b- diameter stays the same
c- chest sinks
d- diameter increases - ANSWER D diameter increases
Which plane of movement does the exercise Side bend occur for the torso? - ANSWER
Frontal
Frontal Plane - ANSWER vertical plane running side to side
Sagital plane - ANSWER sagital plane divides the body into the left and right sides
Transverse Plane - ANSWER twisting and rotating movements of the torso
Horizontal Plane - ANSWER imaginary cross-section that divides the body into upper
and lower portions
