Anyone a Pilates instuctor?

[snowydrops]

I am currently on Mat leave with second child and considering re training as a Pilates instructor with additional pre and post natal exercise specialism. I am fit and active, do a lot of yoga, pilates, zumba and love it and starting to think it would be a more family friendly career for the next ten years than what I currently do.

DOes anyone on here do it? Locally there's no one providing anything for pregnant ladies or new mums without at least a 20 min drive and I live in quite a busy (lots of young families) area.

Money is not a major concern but obviously I would want to make some sort of income from it. I am hoping it will lessen my need to childcare a little and allow me to be the main carer for my children yet retain some independence. I would hope to increase my work load once my youngest is in nursery in a couple of years.

Currently I work 3 days a week in a mid level managerial role which I quite like but it's set to get a lot more stressful and I have not been offered a pay rise or change in title / promotion so I am thinking of other options. I have worked freelance previously so have a company set up and could continue to potentially do a bit of freelance work on the side of the pilates as and when I had time.

Can anyone offer advice on training / their experiences? I would consider other avenues but am personally most interested in either pilates or yoga as although I love dance I am not the best dancer so don't feel I could instruct others!!

[seoulmama]

I'm a bit late to the party but my sister is a very good pilates instructor. Very calm, clear, and easy to follow.

Although primarily Cambridge UK based, since COVID she has adapted to online courses as well.

If you want to get in touch with her please do so on Wendy Jane Pilates.

[emma123456]

Check out JPilates. Can vouch for the lady who runs this business, very well regarded in the industry and a lovely person as well.

[chezblakmore71]

I'm a couple of years late to the party, but my current Pilates teacher for the past 4 years has recently begun teaching a brave few of us for our Pilates qualification.

She has a new website - the only thing is she is located in the South West but the course is more detailed than others. So, I suppose that is something to consider?

Look it over: //www.elitepilatesteachertraining.co.uk

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

No worries.

I think having a niche would be great. And lets face it, most mums could do with a bit of core help pre/post birth.

There are probably lots of other non-competing businesses you could get pally with to help extend your reach. Some Local Authorities have little funding pots too.

I liked my teacher as she is down to earth and really interested in teaching us about Pilates, so we understand it, not just do it.

Why not contact some teachers nowhere near you and ask them? They shouldn't see you as a threat.

[snowydrops]

Thanks MrsMargo, some good advice there! I think the marketing side of it will be quite easy for me as that's my background and experience. I'm more worried about taking on the competition locally. There's no one offering anything specific for post and antenatal at the moment so there's my niche but there are other fitness instructors / pilates classes around so it's whether there is space for me lets hope there is!

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

Not a pilates teacher, but a pupil of a local new teacher (London borders).

She did Stott and also buys that brand of equipment.

She has built her business through Facebook mainly, so if you aren't on there/don't use it much I'd start to and follow other similar/local businesses. We have 'mum' FB groups around here where ppl ofte. ask for recommendations and she is often flagged up by happy clients.

She does a couple of classes in the evening 2 nights and then does a mix of private lessons and classes in a local baby shop that has space for classes during the day. Some where ppl bring their little babies.

She seems to be v busy, but appreciate that is how you should seem to be on social media.

She could no longer do the private lesson my friends and I did. We looked around for a replacement lesson (of an evening).and most were charging a lot more than she did. The most was £120 for an hour - between the 3 of us!!! It made me think they didn't really want to do it or they could make much more doing a class.

As an outsider I think doing classes must make the most financial sense. Lots of people at once, however I guess it might not give you the connection/sense of satisfaction a private lesson does.

If you have a local NCT they might have a local newsletter where you could advertise.

Got for it!

[emma123456]

Try
www.jpilates.co.uk/

I can personally recommend.

[TalkinPeace]

THis is the other one ...
www.ymcafit.org.uk/courses/stott-pilates-courses

there are bodycontrol courses all over the country - LOTS of gyms are training centres

[snowydrops]

Thank you this is very useful. I'm hoping to find a course in the north as getting to London so frequently to train with two tiny children might be hard. I'll see what others I can find but please do let me know if you know of any other providers worth looking into.

Thanks

[TalkinPeace]

Insurance wise you need to go with one of the big name variants
www.bodycontrolpilates.com/shop/matwork-teacher-training-uk.html
And of course the cost of the initial course is not tax deductible.
www.bodycontrolpilates.com/shop/fees-after-01-09-12.html