05/08/2026
With so many new Pilates and Reformer classes popping up, it’s never been more important to check who is teaching you.
This isn’t about putting other instructors down. There are some incredible teachers out there doing amazing work.
But qualifications matter.
Understanding anatomy, movement patterns, injuries, postnatal recovery, medical conditions, adaptations and progressions isn’t something you learn online or from a weekend of copying exercises. It takes education, experience and ongoing professional development.
In the UK, recognised Pilates qualifications typically start at Level 3, with Level 4 providing advanced skills for working with more complex populations and conditions. Many respected training providers and industry bodies recommend progressing beyond entry level qualifications to deepen knowledge and coaching ability. (HFE)
Unfortunately, the rapid growth of Reformer Pilates has also led to concerns about inconsistent instructor training and increasing reports of injuries within the industry. Experts have recently warned that some classes are being taught by instructors with limited training and little understanding of safe exercise progression. (The Guardian)
I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve told me:
“Classes aren’t for me.”
Then when we dig a little deeper, it turns out they weren’t taught how to modify exercises, work around injuries or progress safely.
If you’ve left a class feeling injured, defeated or convinced movement isn’t for you, it might not be the method.
It might be the teaching.
So please, ask questions.
✔️ What qualifications do you hold?
✔️ How long have you been teaching?
✔️ Do you understand my condition or injury?
✔️ Can exercises be adapted for me?
A knowledgeable instructor won’t see these questions as criticism.
They’ll see them as exactly what they are: someone taking responsibility for their health.
Your body deserves more than a workout.
It deserves an expert!