Pilates teacher

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

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

Entry requirements:

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:

• Level 2 or 3 fitness qualification

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:

• 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

OtherRoutes

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

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• 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
• the ability to read English
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• knowledge of media production and communication
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

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

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

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

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

32 - 34 hours variable

Working Pattern is as a contractor / self-employed managing your own hours

Career Path:

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.