Pilates Teacher

Job Description:

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

Job Category:

Culture, Media & Sport

See Culture, Media & Sport jobs

What you will do:

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

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of preparing and teaching pilates exercise sessions
customer service skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

safely instruct & motivate clients
identify clients needs and objectives
the ability to work on your own (drive & autonomy)
leadership skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
the ability to come up with new ways of doing things (creativity)
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
excellent verbal communication skills
be able to manage feedback

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

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. In the UK, for example. courses include a Diploma in Mat Pilates or Diploma in Teaching Pilates.

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

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing one of the following apprenticeships;

Leisure team member
Personal trainer

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

Other Routes

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

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 32-34 hours of work. You could be required to work as a contractor/be self-employed managing your own hours.

You could work at a fitness centre or in a creative studio. Your working environment may be physically active.

Career Path & Progression:

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.