Here’s the mistake a lot of new instructors make: they qualify in whichever style they enjoyed most as a student, then wonder why studios aren’t calling back. Employers aren’t just hiring “a Pilates instructor” they’re hiring for a specific style, and right now, reformer is where the shortage is.
Mat Pilates uses bodyweight exercises and small equipment on a floor mat. It’s the entry point for most instructors the qualification gyms and health clubs expect as standard, and the fastest route into paid teaching hours.
Reformer Pilates uses a spring-loaded resistance machine that allows a far wider range of exercises and resistance levels. It’s the format driving growth in boutique studios, one-to-one coaching, and rehabilitation-adjacent work and it’s where demand is currently outstripping supply of qualified instructors.
Industry reports suggest UK search interest in “Reformer Pilates near me” has grown sharply since 2020, with Google searches for the term reportedly increasing by over 400% between 2020 and 2024 a shift studios are struggling to keep pace with as they expand reformer timetables faster than they can staff them.
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Studios aren’t struggling to fill classes. They’re struggling to find someone qualified to teach them.
Reformer Pilates has moved from a niche offering in private clinics to a mainstream fixture in independent studios and boutique fitness chains and the growth isn’t slowing down. Pilates has been the most-booked workout on ClassPass for three years running, with bookings up 66% globally in 2025 alone and reformer bookings specifically grew 71% year-over-year.
The UK has followed the same trajectory. According to IBISWorld, the UK Pilates industry now generates £1.0bn in annual revenue across 5,227.
What that means in practice: a decade ago, reformer machines were mostly confined to private clinics and specialist studios. Today, employers are actively hiring for reformer-qualified instructors and struggling to fill those roles, which puts qualified candidates in a strong negotiating position on pay, hours and studio choice.
See which Pilates course gets you teaching fastest, and which one unlocks the highest-paying work.
Growing demand is only part of the picture. Employers also pay close attention to the level of qualification you hold, particularly when hiring for specialist or premium roles.
A Level 3 Pilates qualification is the recognised starting point for teaching mat Pilates professionally. It’s the qualification most gyms, health clubs and studios expect instructors to have before leading classes.
Our Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor Course covers anatomy, movement principles and the practical skills needed to deliver safe and engaging classes.
If you’re looking to progress beyond group exercise, a Level 4 qualification can open the door to more specialist work.
It prepares instructors to work with clients on a more individual basis, including those with postural imbalances and rehabilitation-adjacent needs. It can also lead to higher-paying one-to-one work and premium studio opportunities.
Our Level 4 Mat Pilates Instructor Training is designed for instructors ready to take that next step.
| Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor Course | Level 4 Mat Pilates Instructor Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | New to Pilates, want to start teaching group classes | Already Level 3 qualified, ready to specialise |
| What it covers | Anatomy, movement principles, safe class delivery | Individual client work, postural imbalances, rehab-adjacent needs |
| Typical roles | Gym and health club mat classes | One-to-one sessions, premium studio work |
| Career stage | Entry point: industry standard | Progression: opens specialist, higher-paying work |
| Explore the course | Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor Course | Level 4 Mat Pilates Course |
Choosing a qualification isn’t just about what you’ll learn, it’s also about the opportunities it creates.
While earnings vary depending on experience, location and whether you’re employed or self-employed, according to payscale, the average Pilates Instructors can earn between £22k-£52k a year. As a Pilates instructor, you may only plan to teach one or two Pilates classes a week for a small income as something you enjoy part-time.
Alternatively, you could also choose to turn your passion for Pilates into a career by instructing a variety of Pilates sessions throughout the week. Whichever option you choose, you’ll see that teaching Pilates can provide you with plenty of opportunities to earn a decent Pilates Instructor salary or use this as a great source of additional income.
One of the biggest advantages of adding a reformer qualification is the opportunity to broaden your career options.
As reformer classes continue to grow in popularity, many studios are looking for instructors who can confidently teach both mat and reformer Pilates. Having both skills can make you more versatile, open the door to a wider range of teaching opportunities, and help you stand out when applying for roles.
For instructors who are already mat-qualified, adding reformer training is a natural next step that can support long-term career progression and expand the types of clients and classes you can work with.
Add reformer to your skillset with a short, focused course built for instructors who don't need to start from zero.
You don’t need to start over to teach reformer. If you’re already mat-qualified, you’re one short course away from the classes that pay the most and fill the fastest.
Reformer is where studios are struggling to staff, which means mat-qualified instructors who add it are often first in line for premium studio roles, higher day rates, and one-to-one client work that mat alone doesn’t unlock.
Our Level 3 Reformer Pilates Instructor Course is built specifically for mat-qualified instructors, no need to repeat foundational content you already know. It’s a focused, faster route than starting a new qualification from scratch, and it’s designed to get you teaching reformer confidently as quickly as possible.
For the full step-by-step roadmap, including insurance and starting your business see our How to become a Pilates Instructor | Explore careers and courses
New to Pilates entirely? Don’t box yourself into mat-only from day one, the market is already telling you employers want both.
Our Level 4 Mat & Reformer Pilates Master Practitioner course combines both disciplines into one streamlined qualification, so you build mat and reformer skills together from the start, rather than completing Level 3, progressing to Level 4, then bolting on reformer training later.
A typical career journey could look like this:
| Your situation | Best route |
|---|---|
| New to Pilates, want the fastest route to premium earning → | Level 4 Mat & Reformer Master Practitioner |
| New to Pilates, want to build experience gradually → | Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor Course |
| Already Level 3, ready to progress → | Level 4 Mat Pilates Instructor Training |
| Already mat-qualified, want to teach reformer → | Level 3 Reformer Pilates Instructor Course |
Future Fit has been delivering fitness education since 1993, helping more than 300,000 careers built in health and fitness over three decades. Our Pilates qualifications are OFQUAL regulated and CIMSPA endorsed.
Every learner enrolling on a Level 3+ qualification also gets Career Ready, our seven-pillar career support system built alongside your training, not bolted on after:
Yes, Level 4 Mat Pilates Instructor Training builds on Level 3 knowledge and is designed for instructors who are already qualified. If you’re starting from scratch, our Level 4 Mat & Reformer Master Practitioner course combines both into one streamlined route instead.
Not through our Level 3 Reformer Instructor Course, that’s built specifically for mat-qualified instructors adding a new skill. If you’re new to Pilates entirely, the Level 4 Mat & Reformer Master Practitioner lets you train in both from day one.
A Level 3 Mat Pilates qualification typically takes 4-9 months, depending on your pace of study, combining online learning with practical workshops.
Every learner enrolling on a Level 3+ course gets Career Ready, including Set for Success, our Employer Partner Network, a dedicated Job Board, and UK-wide recruitment days.
Yes, Professional Liability Insurance is required to teach safely and protect your business, covering public liability, professional indemnity and loss of earnings. Get the full step-by-step guide to becoming a Pilates instructor: How to become a Pilates Instructor | Explore careers and courses
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