How to become a Pilates Instructor

If you are looking to turn your passion for Pilates into a successful career, then you’re in the right place. After all, we are the UK’s most experienced fitness training provider and have helped develop over 125,000 careers in the industry. We helped shape the industry and we understand what it takes to help people succeed in the fitness world and start their careers.

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Now is a great time to join the fitness industry

The fitness industry is continuing to grow as more people are taking care of their health and wellbeing. Pilates has seen considerable growth in recent years and it is predicted that demand for classes and instructors is only set to grow. Find out how you can start a successful career in Pilates with our essential guide.

6 easy steps to becoming a world-class Pilates Instructor

What is Pilates?

Pilates was originally created in the 1920’s by Joseph Pilates to help soldiers returning from WWI recover and rehabilitate from their injuries. In recent years, various contemporary styles of Pilates have been created to incorporate modern knowledge of the body and biomechanics into the Pilates repertoire

Why we teach STOTT PILATES®

STOTT PILATES is a contemporary, anatomically-based version of the Classical Pilates method. Developed by Lindsay and Moira Merrithew and a team of physical therapists, sports medicine and fitness professionals, it is considered the “Ivy League” of Pilates education and is unparalleled in the industry for its thoroughness and quality.

The inclusion of modern principles of exercise science, anatomy, fascial fitness and spinal rehabilitation, make it one of the safest and most effective methods available. 

Step 1: Research your new career

Your first step is to research everything you can about a career as a Pilates instructor.
Take some time to speak to any Pilates instructors you may know and ask them about their career journey, any hiccups they may have had and advice they can give you.

To be a successful Pilates Instructor you will need more than a qualification, you’ll need a few other skills including:

The ability to motivate and inspire your clients.
Active listening.
Being patient and organised.
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Step 2: Choose and invest

To be a Pilates Instructor, you will need to invest in yourself to develop the skills and knowledge to be the best you can be. To have a long lasting career it is important to choose the best course and training provider for you. We are the UK’s first and leading Licenced Training Centre for STOTT PILATES® and have been awarded Partner of Distinction by Merrithew.

The best course to start is one that focuses on the foundations of Matwork. For STOTT PILATES, we recommend starting with STOTT PILATES Intensive Mat-Plus™  as this will provide you with the best foundations for a career, especially if you want to focus on specialist equipment like the Reformer or the Cadillac™. 

We have a number of payment options including low deposits, 0% finance and government-backed Advanced Learner Loans

Step 3: Qualify and develop your skills

Learning new skills and knowledge can be exciting and exhilarating. On our outstanding courses you will find yourself inspired and nurtured by our tutors who are the best in the industry (82% of our students have said they are “exceptional”). With a lot to learn, we ensure you are given all the tools, knowledge and support to complete your qualification and excel in the future. 

Contemporary Pilates has evolved over the years to use equipment. Once you have mastered Matwork, you can develop your skills further with courses that qualify you to teach using the Reformer, Barrels, Cadillac, and Chair.

With STOTT PILATES, you can advance your career with a range of advanced courses, including Advanced Matwork and Advanced Reformer. 

Join one of our open evenings to find out more about becoming a Pilates Instructor

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Step 4: Get insured

Insurance is vital to protect yourself and your clients if you are planning to freelance or set up your own business. You will need to consider what level of cover, additional support and cost you want as insurance can drastically differ. 
Read our short guide about Insurance for fitness professionals for more information and advice.

Step 5: Start a business or find a job

Once you have completed your Pilates qualification, you will be able to immediately apply for work as a Pilates Instructor at a gym, leisure centre or Pilates studio.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you could also start your own Pilates business by hiring out a local space and offering your own classes. You could eventually open your own Pilates Studio and even organise your own retreats.

Step 6: Broaden your client base

Due to how versatile Pilates can be, with additional specialist training through Continued Educational Credits (CECs), you can increase your earning potential by opening up your services to new audiences. Expand to teach to the growing older adult population, pregnant women, people with disabilities or people with a range of common medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, depression and stress. 

STOTT PILATES offers a wealth of workshops that allows you to develop your skills further and help advance your career. These workshops range from audience specific, such as Postnatal Pilates and Reformer Workout for Men, to advancing your skills on various equipment, such as the Arc Barrel and Fitness Circle. 


Looking for something unique? Merrithew®, the team who developed STOTT PILATES, have created a range of fusion Pilates Instructor training courses. Mix Pilates and ballet as a Total Barre™ Instructor, focus on a more athletic approach as a Core™ Instructor, or fuse together Pilates, yoga, martial arts and medication as you become a ZEN•GA® Instructor. 

Ready to know more about a career in fitness?

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