My name is Simone – I’m an instructor and teacher trainer at Premium Pilates and Fitness. I’ve been practising Pilates for over 10 years now and have been working as a full-time instructor for nearly five. I’ve had the privilege of teaching a wide range of clients across various Pilates classes, including Matwork, Reformer, Jumpboard, Barre and Mums & Bubs. Helping people along their Pilates journey, especially aspiring instructors, is something I’m deeply passionate about.
If you’re anything like me and have a love for Pilates that you want to share with others, becoming an instructor might be the perfect career for you. But you might be wondering: Can I teach Pilates without certification?
The short answer is: No – you need to be certified to teach Pilates in Australia.
In this blog I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting certified, what training programs to consider, and how to become a confident, successful and employable Pilates instructor.
Why do I need to be certified?
Whilst there is no formal government regulation over the Pilates Industry in Australia, almost all potential employers will only employ you as a Pilates instructor if you have the appropriate qualifications. Those qualifications can include:
- A Fundamentals course in Matwork and Reformer to build your Pilates foundation,
- A Certificate IV in Pilates,
- A Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction, or
- An Advanced Diploma of Pilates Method
You don’t need all these, but you do need at least one. And here’s why:
- To teach safely and effectively
Look for a quality training program that ensures you understand anatomy, the principles of Pilates, and how to teach a variety of clients. - To meet employer expectations
Studios want to know your training is industry recognised to trust you’re capable of leading your own classes. - To build client trust
Your clients will feel more confident and secure knowing you’re properly trained. - To get insured
Most insurers require a recognised qualification before they’ll provide coverage
What training program should I choose?
There are many Pilates instructor training programs out there and choosing the right one depends on what and where you want to teach.
For most Pilates studio-based roles, you’ll need training in Anatomy, Matwork and Reformer. These courses prepare you to instruct a wide variety of exercises in a group fitness setting. At Premium Pilates and Fitness, we offer all of these:
- Anatomy: Delivered online and self-paced
- Matwork & Reformer: Face-to-face learning, self-directed study, post-course assessment, plus access to 3 studios for real-time observation of high-quality teaching.
Most of our students complete these three courses in under a year, though this can vary depending on how quickly you work through your assessments.
If your goal is to work in a clinical setting or teach on apparatuses such as the Cadiallac, Trapeze or Wonder Chair, you will need a Certificate IV or Diploma, which can take up to two years to complete.
When I was choosing a course, I enrolled in the instructor training at Premium Pilates and Fitness. I was fully qualified to teach group classes in under a year. I wanted to start teaching quickly, but also wanted to feel confident and capable. The PPF course and incredible trainers gave me exactly that – not only did I learn all the required exercises, but I also learned how to modify injuries, communicate clearly with clients, and was guided through my assessments with personalised mentorship from the trainers.
Do I need to complete additional study or training?
Once you’ve completed your initial course, you will be qualified to teach a Pilates class. But the learning doesn’t stop there!
There is a wealth of knowledge to explore, and further education can help you grow as an instructor. For example, after gaining some teaching experience, I chose to complete the Pre-and Postnatal Matwork and Reformer course online through Premium Pilates and Fitness. This gave me greater confidence in working with pregnant clients, which has led to incredible, trusting client relationships.
I also completed PPF’s Intermediate Reformer online course and Barre online course (available soon to the public!). This expanded my class offerings and allowed me to teach more varied sessions – which ultimately increased my teaching hours and income.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a Pilates instructor has been an incredibly rewarding career for me, and it can be for you too. The right certification will give you confidence, credibility, and set you up for long-term success.
With so many courses available, it can feel overwhelming–but choosing one that offers both a strong foundation in movement and a supportive community makes all the difference. As instructors, we can sometimes feel like ships passing between classes, but being part of a community means you’re not navigating this journey alone. It gives you ongoing access to mentorship, observation, and further training– things that truly support a lasting, fulfilling career.
If you’re considering a career in Pilates or you’re an existing instructor who wants to further their education, reach out to me and the team at Premium Pilates and Fitness, or explore our Pilates Instructor Training Programs. We’re always here to help with any questions about our instructor training courses and online courses.
If you're curious to know what a day in the life of a Pilates Instructor looks like, check out our blog: How Many Hours Do Pilates Instructors Work? Career Insights.
If you have any questions or want help choosing the best path, feel free to reach out.
Email us anytime at courses@premiumpilates.com.au
We'd love to hear from you!
