PRACTICAL GUIDE: How to Get a Job as a Pilates Instructor (After Qualifying)

(And why the most important step is simply to start)

If you’re asking how to get a job as a Pilates instructor, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions newly qualified teachers have.

You feel excited, but also slightly unsure about how to take that first step into teaching real clients.

The truth is, there is no single perfect route into work as a Pilates instructor. But there is one piece of advice that matters more than anything else:

Just Get Started!!!!!!

It sounds simple, but this is where many newly qualified instructors get stuck.

You might feel like you need more confidence. More experience. More knowledge. A perfect plan.

But confidence doesn’t come before teaching, it comes from teaching.

Every instructor remembers their first class. The nerves, the preparation, the checking and rechecking of notes. But those early sessions are where the real growth happens.

Your first classes won’t be perfect and that’s absolutely fine. What matters is that you begin.

Even teaching just one class a week can build confidence quickly, help you refine your skills, and start building your reputation.

So where can you begin?

Different Ways to Get a Job as a Pilates Instructor

There are several routes you can take once you qualify, and many instructors combine more than one.

1. Hiring a Village Hall or Community Space

This is a popular way to start and often one of the most accessible.

Village halls, community centres, and church halls are often affordable to hire and provide a great environment to build your first classes.

Why this works well:

• Lower costs compared to studio hire

• Freedom to build your own class style

• Ability to grow at your own pace

• A great way to connect with your local community

Many successful instructors started with just one small hall class sometimes with only a handful of clients.

And those few clients often become your most loyal supporters.

Tips for starting in a hall:

• Keep your first class small and manageable

• Spread the word locally (notice boards, social media, word of mouth)

• Focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere

• Don’t worry if numbers start slowly this is completely normal

Remember: every full class started as an empty room.

2. Working for an Established Pilates Studio

Another great route is to apply to work at an existing Pilates studio.

Studios often look for newly qualified instructors, particularly those who are enthusiastic, professional, and eager to learn.

Why this route is helpful:

• You gain valuable teaching experience

• You don’t need to find your own clients initially

• You learn from observing other instructors

• You build confidence in a supportive environment

Many studios offer:

• Cover teaching opportunities

• Part-time class slots

• Mentoring and development

A great first step is to introduce yourself to local studios, even if they aren’t actively advertising vacancies.

Attend a class and follow up with a short, friendly email with:

• Your qualification details

• A short introduction

• Your availability

• Willingness to cover classes

Sometimes the best opportunities come from simply making that first connection.

3. Offering Classes in Gyms or Health Clubs

Gyms and leisure centres regularly hire Pilates instructors to run group classes.

This can be a fantastic way to gain regular teaching hours and experience with different client groups.

Benefits of working in gyms:

• Consistent class schedules

• Exposure to a wide range of clients

• Opportunities to build confidence quickly

• Potential to offer private sessions alongside classes

This environment can be fast-paced, but it’s incredibly valuable for building real-world teaching skills.

4. Teaching Friends, Family, and Small Groups

Before launching public classes, you may like to begin by teaching small groups of friends or family.

This is a brilliant way to:

• Build confidence

• Practise cueing and class flow

• Get comfortable teaching aloud

• Receive supportive feedback

These early sessions often feel less intimidating and they count as real teaching experience.

Even offering a short block of free or low-cost classes can help you get comfortable in the teaching role.

5. Offering 1:1 or Small Group Sessions

Private sessions are another excellent starting point.

Some clients prefer personalised attention, and smaller groups can feel easier to manage when you’re new to teaching.

You might start by:

• Teaching one-to-one sessions

• Offering beginner introductions

• Running small group sessions in homes or hired spaces

This approach can help you develop strong client relationships early in your career.

6. Physiotherapy Clinics and Wellbeing Centres

Another pathway that many instructors don’t initially consider is working within physiotherapy clinics, osteopathy clinics, or wellbeing centres.

These environments often support clients with rehabilitation, chronic conditions, or gentle movement-based exercise.

Practical Advice:

• Contact local physio clinics or wellbeing centres directly

• Express your interest and willingness to learn within a clinical setting

• Highlight your Pilates qualification and any relevant background

• Offer to observe or assist where appropriate

  
  

When working alongside a physiotherapist, you do not need extensive clinical experience. You will be following their guidance regarding what a client can and cannot do safely.

Your role is to deliver safe, structured Pilates sessions within those parameters, using your training in movement, alignment, and exercise instruction.

This makes it a really valuable and supportive entry point into more clinical or rehab-based Pilates work.

7. Working Abroad, Retreats, Holiday Resorts, and Campsites

Another exciting route that many newly qualified instructors may not initially consider is working in holiday resorts, wellness retreats, campsites, and teaching abroad.

These environments often look for Pilates instructors to deliver classes as part of their fitness and wellbeing offering for guests, particularly during the spring and summer seasons.

This can include:

• Holiday resorts and spa hotels

• Wellness and fitness retreats

• Campsites and glamping sites with activity programmes

• Cruise ships and superyachts

• Seasonal teaching abroad in popular destinations

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Practical Advice:

• Look for opportunities with holiday fitness companies, retreat organisers, and seasonal employers

• Check job boards for roles such as fitness instructor, wellbeing instructor, or Pilates instructor abroad

• Approach campsites and holiday parks directly, many now offer structured activity programmes in peak season

• Be open to short-term or seasonal contracts that build experience and confidence

• Highlight your ability to teach mixed-ability, general population classes in a safe and welcoming way

  
  

These types of roles can be a fantastic way to:

• Build teaching confidence quickly

• Gain experience with a wide range of clients

• Combine travel with work

• Develop adaptability in different teaching environments

  
  

You do not need extensive experience to explore this route. What matters most is:

• A strong foundation in safe Pilates teaching

• Clear, confident communication

• The ability to adapt sessions to mixed abilities

• A willingness to learn and step into new environments

For many instructors, these opportunities become an exciting part of their career, whether as a first step into teaching or something they return to later alongside their own classes.

Just Get Started

One thing I always remind my students is that no instructor ever feels 100% ready at the beginning.

They feel nervous. Unsure. A bit hesitant.

Because teaching Pilates is something you grow into through doing, not waiting.

Say Yes to Small Opportunities

Cover classes, small groups, or short-term opportunities often become the stepping stones to something much bigger.

Every class you teach builds:

• Confidence

• Experience

• Professional connections

• Your teaching identity

Start small and let it grow naturally.

Go and Teach Your First Class!!!

Go and get that job as a Pilates Instructor. What matters most is not choosing the perfect path, but simply choosing a place to begin.

If you have just qualified, congratulations — this is a fantastic achievement. From here, your confidence, experience, and opportunities will grow each time you step into a class and start teaching.

Feeling unsure what to say when you start teaching?

Getting your first Pilates class is one thing — knowing what to say once you’re in front of a room full of clients is another.

If you’re newly qualified and want a bit more support with your cueing, I’ve created a Pilates Cueing Cheat Sheet with simple, clear language for key positions, plus adaptations for common issues.

It’s designed to help you feel more confident and prepared, especially in those early classes.

CHEAT SHEET BLOG

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