5 Essential Tips for Becoming a Successful Pilates Instructor

What makes a Pilates instructor exceptional? Becoming a successful Pilates instructor takes more than just being able to lead a class through a string of exercises. If you are interested in a career as a Pilates instructor but wonder if you’ll be good at it, keep reading to find out what sets a successful Pilates instructor apart from the rest. 

1. Complete a Pilates Training Course

Becoming a successful Pilates instructor takes training and practice. Enroll in Pilates courses at a recognized training center. Part of your course will involve practical teaching experience under the watchful eye of a trained instructor. You want your clients to get a good workout that builds strength, flexibility, and mobility in a safe way. Pilates instructor training will teach you what you need to know to achieve that goal.  

2. Plan Your Classes

Especially as a new instructor, take the time to plan and write out your classes, from the warm-up all the way through to the stretching at the end. Planning ahead of time allows you to make sure that you are covering all the muscle groups and that the class flows from one exercise to the next.

Make sure you have modifications planned for each exercise for new clients, or those who have injuries. Being able to accommodate all the people in the class is something that sets an instructor apart as an excellent instructor. 

Once you have a plan, you are free to deviate from it according to who is in your class. This becomes easier as you gain experience. 

3. Instruct in a Clear, Simple Way

Start by stating what the exercise is and what area you’re targeting. Talk your clients through the setup step by step, then add alignment and finally the action or movement. Visual cueing is helpful to create accurate movement, such as ‘think of squeezing a spring between your knees’ or ‘imagine peeling your spine off the floor one vertebrae at a time’.

Verbal explanation, paired with physical demonstration, followed by physical correction is a great combination to ensure all clients work in an effective, safe manner and perform the exercise correctly. 

4. Correcting Your Class

Keep an eye on your clients to see if they are getting it right. Direct corrections to the group in general. Adjust your verbal cueing and add demonstration if needed. If there is someone struggling, go to them and correct them privately and quietly.  

5. Your Personality as a Pilates Instructor

The magic ingredient in your Pilates class is you! As Pilates classes tend to be smaller, take time to get to know your clients. Encourage them to push through when they’re struggling, celebrate their victories (there’s nothing quite like the first time they achieve a roll-up!), and cheer them on when they are fatigued.

To be a successful Pilates instructor, be authentically you. Encourage and love your clients and they will reward you with deep loyalty. They will keep coming back for more.

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