So you want to be a Pilates Instructor
Pilates is having a moment. With studios everywhere and instructor trainings filling up fast, more women than ever are eyeing the mat as a serious career move. Cute in theory… but how do you actually make it happen?
We caught up with Annemarie, lead instructor at Pilates Club Preston, to get the real tea on what she looks for when hiring instructors. In an industry that’s not exactly known for handing out clear, constructive feedback, a little insider insight goes a long way.
No. 1) “The quicker you realise, just because you’ve done your course doesn't mean that you are not finished learning”
A Pilates course is a foundation for a method of movement. After you learn what is behind the method, you should go to as many different classes to see how different instructors apply the method of understanding. This can really help with your growth to find out who you are and how you will use your training.
“Being able to continue to learn is so important… and I find sometimes that instructors are not leaving the space in their schedule to learn from being in a class as a client”
Sometimes you can completely be caught in your way of teaching without understanding how it could come across to the client. You never know, there might be a better way to instruct. Being present could help you change your perception of your blind spots.
No.2) “Be authentic to your style of Pilates… while understanding other styles, the history and the reasoning behind Joseph Pilates Methodology”
By being aware of why something is made and the differences between styles, you can fully understand and be clear on why you’ve chosen the style you have to teach. When you stand strong in your understand clients can tell, and if they relate to your reasoning, you will find they are passionate and loyal to what you stand for.
“If you're not sure and you get the workout by following people on YouTube, clients do start to clock on. They think that you don’t even believe in it so why should they”
Learn the greater context and different styles, find the why and start the journey to perfecting what feels the most natural to you.
“Also, don’t listen to the noise of people saying that everything but classical is not right. Everything has its place if there is a why”
No.3) “Having a personality… Do you have the charisma to light up a room naturally? If not, you might struggle to keep clients, unfortunately. Even if you teach the best class ever”
Having the ability to build great, meaningful relationships with clients is such a big part of being an instructor and dictates whether or not studios will give you a chance. A large number of beginner instructors think that if they post cute pictures that relate to pilates, people will connect with them, but it’s the person-to-person conversations that bond people.
Even if you are quiet and reserved, talk to the customers and get to know them. True popularity comes from true connection: that means that people feel safe, connected and heard by you.