Becoming a Pilates instructor can be daunting when you don’t know where to get started. This handy article by, VTCT training provider, Future Fit Training has provided insights on the industry and the best way to become a Pilates Instructor.
Pilates has become a popular form of exercise which has created a demand for opportunities to learn Pilates and become a qualified instructor. You can qualify as a Pilates Instructor within 4-9 months of training. However, the study time can vary depending on the time spent studying, some may decide to work and study whereas others may study full time.
What do you need?
The minimum qualification to become a Pilates instructor is a Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor Course, with this you will be qualified to teach on a one-to-one basis or in group sessions.
Pilates instructors have a multitude of skills, and effective Pilates instructors will have good communication skills and enjoy working with others. Building a relationship with your clients or class participants is vital in building your Pilates business. Additional skills which would complement this job role are patience, persistence, organisation, creativity and the ability to be an effective motivator. Finally, you’ll be passionate about the Pilates method so that you can share the benefits with your clients.
How to find a Pilates Course
Finding the correct course to study can be challenging as there are several training providers out there. The best approach to doing this is researching the different providers and trying to understand which is best. To make this slightly easier for you Future Fit have created a complete course comparison checklist to provide support and guidance on this stage of the research.
Picking the correct course will come down to a combination of both the qualification and your personal preference on what you are looking for within a course. These could be factors such as payments, types, locations, course content or even job prospects. It is important that you carry out thorough research at this stage to ensure you are investing in a training provider for the right reasons.
Becoming qualified
Once you have decided which course you would like to move forward with and found the correct training provider for you, the next step is completing your training. Depending on training providers some may be online only, others may include practical elements.
We believe the practical experience is beneficial to the confidence in qualifying as an instructor, a combination of e-learning alongside interactive weekend courses will fully prepare you once qualifying. All Pilates Instructor courses by Future Fit include both practical and online elements.
Getting insured
Once you have become a qualified Pilates instructor you will be assessing clients through exercise which will help clients with both their health and physical wellbeing. In order to practice safely and cover your business, you will need to obtain Professional Liability Insurance.
Getting the correct insurance is important in protecting yourself against claims arising from any third party damages or incidents which could occur. Insurance will also cover any public liabilities, professional indemnity, sports equipment, personal accidents and loss of earnings.
Self-employed or unemployed?
Once you have qualified in a Pilates teacher training course, you should be able to apply to work as a Pilates Instructor. The best way to search for jobs is to look online or visit local health clubs and gyms to see if they have any positions open. The chances are even in the area you live in, there are several different opportunities to work as a Pilates Instructor, it’s just about finding the right place for you.
Alternatively, you could start a Pilates Business or become self-employed, if this is the route you are looking to go down you could factor this into your research stage for training providers. Some providers will offer support and host a variety of resources to support you in starting up a successful Pilates Business. Future Fit provides a Career Accelerator Package to ensure they qualify you with the highest calibre of education, skills and support.
Your questions answered:
Can I start training whilst also having a job?
If you are looking for flexible learning some training providers will build your programme around you, your commitments and the time you can dedicate to study. If you are looking to study whilst working you can choose to do this by spreading your learning out throughout the week. Alternatively, some people may choose to complete this as quickly as possible and qualify in 3-4 months.
How much can you earn as a Pilates Instructor?
The salary of a Pilates teacher depends on how much you want to work and earn. According to payscale, Pilates Instructors can earn between £22k-£52k a year. Your working hours can vary depending on what you plan to do, you may teach one or two Pilates classes a week for a small income.
Alternatively, you might turn Pilates into a career and instruct a variety of different classes throughout the week. Whichever option you choose means you have control over your potential earnings whilst also being more flexible in your work/life balance.
What other opportunities are there in Pilates?
Group sessions – Teaching group sessions and charging participants individually is one of the most popular routes instructors take. You could rent a suitable venue or hall and then charge a set fee per hour per participant.
Small Groups – Offering a small Pilates group session can sometimes be more appealing to particular clients as it looks to include 3-4 people. The benefit of running these sessions is helping participants have a more personalised experience, which could be a USP of your business.
One to one sessions – One to one sessions are another way to work with clients and potentially earn more money. During these sessions, you would just be with one client which means you could charge a more exclusive price per session.