How to Become a Reformer Pilates Instructor

If you’ve ever thought of becoming a reformer Pilates teacher, it’s well within your reach. There’s plenty of courses out there, either online, in-person or hybrid, which means it’s never been easier to switch careers or add another skill to your CV. 

Key takeaways: 

• You’ll need a Level 3 mat Pilates qualification for most reputable reformer Pilates courses 
• The Level 3 Certificate in Instructing Studio Reformer Pilates is a hybrid and self-paced course, allowing you to fit study around your life 
• Once you’re qualified, you’ll need to do a few hours of CPD each year to continue your knowledge 

What experience do I need before I join a course?

Reformer Pilates instructor courses exist to help you deepen your personal practice or to help you build the skills to lead your own classes, in your own studio or as part of a bigger community. For that reason, they’re often aimed at people who already have some experience in Pilates, or at least a passion for it. 

While you don’t necessarily need to have gone to a reformer Pilates class before, it helps if you have. 30 - 50 hours participation in a class will give you the know-how you need to jump straight into a training course. Plus, it helps you assess if you like the movement and how you might like to develop your own class style. 

It can also help if you have a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology as your chosen course will likely assume you have some kind of the science of Pilates. Again, it’s not essential but it does help.

Are there any entry requirements for a Level 3 Reformer Pilates instructor course? 

While passion and drive are enough for many Level 3 sports instructing courses, Reformer Pilates is a tiny bit different. The industry standard is for you to have a good foundation certification first - it’s something to look out for when choosing your reformer Pilates course because most reputable providers will require it. 

A Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork is usually a must as it covers the fundamentals and origins of Pilates, anatomy and physiology as well as how to plan and deliver a Pilates class. 

The length of your course will depend on the provider but it can usually take around 4 - 9 months to finish.

What courses are there? 

Once you have your Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork, you can look into your reformer course. What you want is a Level 3 teaching certificate or a course listed as a CPD, or Continuing Professional Development. 

Your Level 3 Certificate in Instructing Studio Reformer Pilates will deepen your knowledge around the topics you learned on your matwork Pilates course, as well as introducing new elements, like advanced exercises, how to correctly use the Pilates reformer and how to adapt workouts to different client levels. 

How to get teaching experience 

As part of your Level 3 Reformer Pilates course, you’ll also build up a bank of teaching hours. These help you to define your own teaching style and get you used to teaching a class. This can include teaching your friends, others on the course and observing classes to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. It can sound scary but it’s an important step in your learning and the world of reformer Pilates needs your voice. 

Starting your own business 

Once you’ve completed your reformer Pilates instructor course and you’ve got your certificate, you’re ready to start looking for work and building your business. Firstly, you’ll need to take out Public Liability Insurance to protect yourself and your business. 

Then, you’re all set to apply for jobs at health clubs, dedicated Pilates studios or to start your own practice. Many training providers offer a specific section of the course which helps you to learn more about starting your reformer Pilates business and marketing yourself to clients. They may also have connections with studios or job boards to get you started. 

What happens next?

There’s so much to learn in the world of Pilates and it’s always evolving. For this reason, you may be required to complete CPD courses to keep your registration and insurance intact. This may need to be done annually or every other year for at least 8 hours, though it’s good to check with your insurance and regulatory body to make sure. 

FAQs

Who accredits the FÔLD reformer Pilates course?

The FÔLD reformer Pilates is a Level 3 Certificate in Instructing Studio Reformer Pilates and is run by Create. It’s accredited by YMCA and regulated by Ofqual. 

What experience do the instructors have?

The instructors on the Level 3 Certificate in Instructing Studio Reformer Pilates course are highly skilled and qualified senior instructors with lots of teaching hours and CPD hours under their belt. 

What does the FÔLD reformer Pilates course include?

The course helps you to gain an understanding of reformer Pilates and builds on what you already know about mat Pilates. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to safely set up and use a FÔLD reformer, teach a core beginner and intermediate flow, plan and deliver clear, creative and progressive reformer classes for mixed abilities and confidently manage the class. 

Are the classes in-person or online?

The Level 3 Certificate in Instructing Studio Reformer Pilates course is hybrid and self-paced. The majority of your learning will take place online, at your own speed with 2 x weekends of in-person teaching and a practical assessment to tie it all together. 

How long is the course?

The course is self-paced so it depends on how much time you have. However, some people are able to complete the course in as little as 10 weeks.