Key Benefits of a Private Pilates Personal Trainer

UK Fitness Pro
Nov 29 · 8 min read

Before diving in, if you simply want to find a top Pilates instructor, jenter your location into the search box on our homepage, then use the "Speciality" filter to identify local trainers with a background in Pilates. For example, here are some Pilates personal trainers in London and online Pilates personal trainers, many of whom would be happy to provide you with private lessons or group Pilates classes following a trial session. If you have a preference for where you train (e.g., a local gym or the instructor's own studio), you can also use the "Training location" filter.

When you first message a trainer, it's a good idea to tell them a little bit about your current fitness level and your personal fitness goals and to ask them about the format of their training. For instance, if you'd like to train with friends or family, you could ask the trainer whether they would provide you with a group lesson. If you're concerned about privacy, you could also ask the trainer about their privacy policy.

Pilates: A Very Brief Background

In recent years, Pilates (named after Joseph Pilates) has emerged as a popular exercise programme, renowned for reducing body weight and improving muscle balance, flexibility, core strength, joint health, fitness, and overall well-being. A key driver of this fitness revolution has been the rise of specialised Pilates personal trainers. These certified professionals, usually equipped with extensive personal training experience and a deep understanding of their craft, can provide unique insights into the benefits of this practice.

Here, we look at some of the key benefits of working with experienced instructors before briefly exploring what it takes to become a master trainer.

The Key Benefits of Working With a Certified Pilates Instructor

1. A Pilates personal trainer will help you with your core strength

Pilates focuses on hitting your core, benefitting your lower back, hips, pelvis, and abdomen (1). A strong core is essential for many exercises but also for daily activities such as picking up your shopping bags or your kids. What’s more, an experienced Pilates personal trainer will help you achieve those flat abs we all desire!

2. A Pilates personal trainer will make you tough

A pilates personal trainer on a yoga mat.

Many Pilates exercises are done in reclining or sitting positions, giving the false impression that Pilates is easy. However, a good Pilates personal trainer will ensure that your workouts are intense, challenging your body to respond to the demands by increasing in strength and fitness.

3. A Pilates personal trainer can assist during and after pregnancy

Pilates training sessions can enhance spinal and pelvic alignment. It strengthens your pelvic muscles and promotes efficient body mechanics, preparing your body for the stress of childbirth. One study (2) found that Pilates during pregnancy led to improvements in blood pressure as well as a reduced risk of complications during birth (e.g., obstructed labour, episiotomies).

4. A Pilates personal trainer will help with your holistic health

Pilates personal trainer leading a class

Are Pilates sessions the perfect way to lose twenty pounds in seven days? No, but nothing is. Pilates is a way to lead a healthy, active life and ensure that you are flexible, energetic, and agile, even when you’re older. Indeed, a randomised controlled trial published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science (3) found that Pilates led to significantly greater balance, strength, and quality of life in older adults.

5. A Pilates personal trainer will teach you how to train at home

If you live far away from the Pilates studio, there’s no need to worry. You can do Pilates in the comfort of your own home and in your own time! If you enjoy having the guidance of an experienced Pilates personal trainer, ask them to train you via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Hangout! This option is perfect if you want to exercise at your own pace.

Your trainer will also be able to advise you on any equipment you might need to train at home, whether it's something as simple as a magic circle, foam roller or yoga mat or a more elaborate device like a trapeze table, ladder barrel, or Wunda chair.

6. A Pilates Personal Trainer Will Facilitate Rehabilitation

Many Pilates trainers collaborate with physical therapists or are therapists themselves.

This combination of physical therapy and Pilates practice offers a holistic approach to fitness and health, whereby the client learns not only to overcome their physical challenges but also to develop functional movement patterns. It is particularly beneficial for those recovering from injuries or muscular imbalances, as the trainer can modify Pilates movements to cater to these specific needs. In a rehabilitation setting, a Pilates trainer can work alongside a physical therapist to create a customised exercise programme that aids recovery while promoting overall fitness. Research published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that Pilates is particularly effective for reducing pain and disability associated with chronic pain conditions, as well as conditions like post-menopausal osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis.

A Pilates instructor trained in movement assessments and in Pilates principles is excellently suited to enhancing an individual's quality of movement and assisting with rehabilitation.

7. A Pilates Personal Trainer Will Teach You the Pilates Repertoire

A distinction is often made between classical Pilates and Pilates in general.

A feature of classical Pilates is that it has a specific repertoire of movements completed in a specific order. Joseph Pilates proposed that the best way to start this sequence was with a breathing exercise known as "the hundred" to help the practitioner focus before getting into the movements. As mentioned in this blog post on the original 34 Pilates exercises, the sequence ends with push-ups. By learning all these movements from an instructor in real time, you'll get their feedback on your form and will end up with a repertoire of exercises to utilise in your own unique way to bolster your strength and mobility in the areas most important to you.

One of these exercises may be the missing link in your current routine and, therefore, may enable you to integrate the different parts of your body more effectively.

Training and Working as a Pilates Instructor

For fitness professionals, becoming a Pilates trainer can be a lucrative career move. The fitness industry constantly evolves, and having a specialisation in Pilates can be a significant advantage. Recertification vouchers, ongoing education courses, and mentor instructors offer continuous learning and advancement opportunities.

Training as a Pilates Instructor

For those considering a new career in this field, it's necessary to complete Pilates teacher training. A comprehensive training programme will equip you with the required skills and knowledge to safely and effectively teach Pilates, focusing on anatomy, technique, and client-specific adaptations for a holistic approach to fitness and wellness.

Comprehensive certification programmes not only teach exercises but also focus on proper alignment, muscle imbalances, and movement principles, making them a great first step in your Pilates career. While many Pilates trainers in the US complete an NPCP exam (i.e., a National Pilates Certification Program exam), those in the UK can complete certification courses from various providers, such as Future Fit, Diverse Trainers, and Health and Fitness Education. These providers offer various certification levels. For example, Future Fit offers a Level 3 Mat Pilates Instructor Course and a Level 4 Pilates Master Practitioner Course With Reformer.

Many of these course providers offer flexible programmes that you can adapt to your career goals, teaching style, and the type of learning experience you want to provide. For instance, if you prefer to develop close, one-on-one relationships with clients, you could specialise in Pilates for expectant mothers. In contrast, you could complete a more general course (e.g., mat Pilates) if you're more excited about leading large groups. The number of practice hours you'll need to get onto a course varies, with some requiring none and others requiring several months of teaching experience and many hours of attending Pilates classes (e.g., the STOTT Pilates Intensive Reformer by YMCA Fit).

If you want to get a feel for Pilates instructor training before completing a more in-depth programme, you could check out the Pilates certificate offered by the New Skills Academy.

The course material spans a range of subjects, including the top Pilates exercises, how the body responds to these, and cooling down, with your knowledge of these topics assessed in a final exam. This comprehensive course also includes an advanced mat work module, which provides an excellent foundation for anyone interested in becoming a mat instructor. The New Skills Academy, a training provider with courses recognised by the Continuing Professional Development Certification Service, is also a great place to complete related courses.

For example, you could add extra value to your clients by completing:

Additionally, you could help clients to feel at ease by taking out personal trainer insurance.

Starting a Pilates Business

For those with entrepreneurial aspirations, becoming a Pilates personal trainer can be the first step toward opening their own studio or dance studio.

The fitness industry offers various opportunities, from providing mat classes to one-on-one sessions. If you're a qualified personal trainer with a Pilates certification, the first thing to do is sign up for a 1-month free trial on a large fitness professional database like ukfitness.pro. You can then create a profile where prospective clients can learn about you and get in touch to see if you're a good fit. Once you've landed your first job, a great way to progress in your fitness career is to ask your client for a testimonial that you can share on your profile.

You could also consider signing up to the Body Control Pilates Association (the UK equivalent of the Pilates Method Alliance in the US).

Being a Pilates personal trainer can be financially rewarding. With options like 3-session packages or trial sessions, trainers can cater to a diverse client base. While an instructor's pricing policy should align with the market rates and their level of expertise, it's common for Pilates instructors on ukfitness.pro to charge between £50–60 per session. Therefore, with 20 sessions per week, they might earn £50,000–60,000 per year. Even if you're considering Pilates as a part-time career, 10 weekly sessions could make you a healthy £25,000–30,000 a year.

Conclusion

For clients, engaging a Pilates personal trainer means receiving a customised, effective workout tailored to individual needs, leading to better health and fitness.

For aspiring instructors, the road to becoming certified involves dedication and a comprehensive understanding of Pilates. Whether through classical training, an online programme, or a combination of Pilates and physical therapy, the path offers a fulfilling and lucrative career.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy these articles on self-care for different generations and simple habits for a healthier you.

References

1. Kloubec J. A. (2010). Pilates for improvement of muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and posture. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 24(3), 661–667. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c277a6

2. Rodríguez-Díaz, L., Ruiz-Frutos, C., Vázquez-Lara, J. M., Ramírez-Rodrigo, J., Villaverde-Gutiérrez, C., & Torres-Luque, G. (2017). Effectiveness of a physical activity programme based on the Pilates method in pregnancy and labour. Efectividad de un programa de actividad física mediante el método Pilates en el embarazo y en el proceso del parto. Enfermeria clinica, 27(5), 271–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2017.05.008

3. Campos de Oliveira, L., Gonçalves de Oliveira, R., & Pires-Oliveira, D. A. (2015). Effects of Pilates on muscle strength, postural balance and quality of life of older adults: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Journal of physical therapy science, 27(3), 871–876. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.871