To teach Pilates when my DH says it's pointless

[namechangerstranger]

I want to become a Pilates instructor but is it actually worth it? Is there any instructors running classes on here ? How much do you charge per class? I was thinking £10 a class ?

I'm on SE in commuter belt, so some other instructors established but in theory plenty of clients.

My DH says it's not worth it. I'd only be able to do weekends due to his irregular work hours.

Realistically if you could only do weekends that means Saturday mornings due to venues not being available for the rest of the weekend so if it would require qualifications that cost more than a few quid it would probably take at least a year to make any money even if the customers were there immediately.

I’m in the north and pay £6 a lesson for an hour of yoga. There are usually around 14 in a class. She runs four regular classes a week (2 in the week one Saturday, one Sunday) as well as a pre & postnatal class. There’s no way I’d pay £10 for
An hour class, but I guess it’s different down south!

Could you do during school hours too? I go to a class that finishes about half an hour before school pick up and it is crammed with people. A mix of school run parents/ retired people/ shift workers.

£10 per customer per class? I think that sounds like a lot to pay - is that what classes cost these days?

It’s £6 for a class where I go, but it’s included in my gym membership so I don’t actually haven’t pay.

Where I am (SE) it's £10 an hour and my instructor always has a waiting list.

I'm in the south East and it's £10 a class. That's proper Pilates, not fitness Pilates.

I’m in London admittedly but yoga here is at least £14 a class. Mat Pilates £17 and equipment Pilates upwards of £30 a session. So £10 seems reasonable.

You’d need to factor in: training, insurance, mats or other equipment, advertising eg a website/Social media advertising, room hire etc.

I’m in London and have paid up to £18 for an hour lesson, small group of 4-6. I’d say on average it’s £10-12 for groups of up to 12. For 1:1 practice I imagine it’s upwards of £25ph. You may be better off joining a studio for a while until you become established though, before going it alone. As for your DH? So it’s fine for him to have a work life but not you? You’re not worth it? Lone finger up at that one...

You might not make much/any profit from it, but if it's something you're passionate about then there's loads to be gained on a personal level.

But if it's just money you need, then you may as well pick up a shift in the Co-op instead.

I'd like to do something plus earn a little. My DC are not at school yet.

Locally seem to be a mix of prices for group mat sessions £6/ £6.50 / £10 and a massive £13.50 at local council leisure centre

What is the difference between fitness Pilates & Pilates ?

Our local pilates group is £4.50/1hr. Its held in a sports hall (all mats/balls/equipment provided) and there are about 20-50 people per session.

I'm in London - equipment Pilates £18+ an hour here.

I think £10/ class is pretty standard for the Home Counties.

And I think you should do it... why can you not do one evening class a week? Could you not find a regular babysitter? You’d need one client to cover the “overhead” of the room hire, and another to cover the other expense of the babysitter. I think your DH is being very short-sighted. Do you work at the moment in any other job? If not, Pilates instruction would be great once this kids are at school / nursery.

My instructors in the U.K. trained with Body Control Pilates if that helps.

It might now be worth it right now but long time it could be very worth it IMO.

Train now, do weekends, do more once your DC are in nursery...once your DC are in school you'll have enough experience and confidence to take on one-2-one clients and that is definitely worth it!

I know a lady who drops he youngest at school then works until school finish. Once your DC are at school you may well get to know the local child minders, so setting up some holiday child care becomes easier.

Don't listen to your DH because he's not thinking long term...and possibly you being out of the house working could potentially cause him extra work and inconvenience!

I forgot to add, I did one-2-one Pilates as my poor body was in such a state after DC1 was born, 10 years ago I was paying somthing like £30 per hour (South East based).

What is the difference between fitness Pilates & Pilates ?

I am surprised you are asking that question.
Do you practice Pilates?

Most Pilates instructors will themselves have practiced Pilates themselves for many years, are passionate about the technique and have benefited from the practice on a personal physical level.

When your OH says it's " pointless" does he mean the act of Pilates- or the teaching of it?

You say you can only teach weekends- but if you are at such an advanced level that you are considering teaching don't you attend classes yourself, or devote a large time through the week to self practice?
These could be hours you are working.

I agree with others- it is not going to earn you much money.
The fitness instructors I know who make even a part time salary are teaching 20+ classes a week.
If you teach one or two a week you would most likely run at a loss.

From what I understand mat work classes in gyms pay about £35-40 per hour. Private sessions on reformers are £55 upwards (I know of an instructor charging £80 per hour). Joint reformer classes are £30 each. These are London prices (not central). You should attend CPD classes each year to stay up to date & have CPR & First Aid training in addition to your initial pilates training.

Try a gym like Pure or Kiss temporarily - they can cover the cost of the venue, may take a bit of commission, but you will be guaranteed clients almost; and then you can take them with you when you leave or use it like advertising for your private classes . In the SE if you do PIYO, hot, or fast Pilates you can charge £20/hr. Some instructers also operate prepaid lesson blocks - so customers pay £200 - 300 in advance per term.

You'd charge whatever you're currently paying for Pilates classes that you attend, surely? But I suspect you don't actually do Pilates at all, do you?
In which case becoming an instructor is very odd indeed.

Where we live (not SE) the prices range from about £6-£10.

Do you know any people who would want to start an extra Pilates class so there are core people you know are interested and can also spread the work?

That was supposed to be spread the word

What is the difference between fitness Pilates & Pilates ?

You don’t seem to know much about Pilates of the fitness industry.

I used to pay £8 a lesson but changed instructor when the price went up to £9 a lesson. I now go to one included in my gym membership. Most gyms offer Pilates so you could probably do that but then you're only looking at about £15 a class.

OP do you practice Pilates yourself?