Training

Pilates teacher

Pilates teachers help clients change and improve their body strength and posture through breathing, stretching and conditioning exercises.

Annual Salary

variable

Working hours

32 to 34 variable

You could work: as a contractor / self-employed; managing your own hours

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% more Pilates teacher jobs in 2027.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • work with clients, either one-to-one or in groups
  • design exercise routines that suit the needs and abilities of each client
  • teach exercises which are done on a mat, or using specialist equipment
  • break down exercises and help clients to establish good movement skills using exercises to target problem areas
  • keep detailed client records
  • maintain your own level of fitness through regular practice
  • teach clients to handle stress and to relax more easily
  • seek new clients or venues
  • advertise and market your classes

Working environment

You could work at a fitness centre or in a creative studio.

Your working environment may be physically active.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations
College

You could do a course like a Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates or Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates.

It may be useful if you have a background in teaching exercise.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • Level 2 or 3 fitness qualification
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could start by doing one of the following apprenticeships;Level 2 Leisure team member; Level 3 Personal trainer

Following further training, you could then move into pilates teaching.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
Other routes

You can train as a teacher by doing pilates courses with a specialist training provider or a professional body.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join organisations like the Pilates Teacher Association or the Pilates Foundation for professional development and training opportunities.

You could find work in private health studios, commercial or council leisure centres to teach group classes. You could also find work as a private tutor, working in clients’ homes.

You could work with health professionals, like physiotherapists, to help athletes or dancers with rehabilitation following injury.

You could also specialise in antenatal pilates (for pregnant women), pilates for lower back pain, or pilates for older adults.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • knowledge of teaching classes
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work on your own
  • leadership skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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