I love a good chat, especially when I’m interested in the topic. And when you get me started on the topic of Pilates, it’s sometimes hard to get me to stop! Whilst this isn’t normally an issue, when I started my instructing journey, I tended to overexplain exercises and ramble on and on. Then I realized clients aren’t coming to my classes to hear a podcast on all the different muscles in the body or the benefits of movement; they are coming to move. So here are my main tips on how to get your clients moving with clear instructions.
Tip One – Start by telling clients what exercise they are going to do
Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes I don’t want my class to know what’s coming next – surprise, it’s a plank! But it can be helpful to tell your clients what they are about to do because it might be something they’ve done before, and they can flow into it without you having to explain the setup or movement. This is particularly important when you have regular or advanced clients. They can continue to flow through the exercises, freeing you up to give a little more attention to any new clients in the room.
Tip Two – You don’t have to explain everything all at once
When you start a class, series, or new exercise, give a concise setup. For instance, if you are teaching an ab curl on the Reformer, tell the class what spring to set, get them to lay on their backs, grab their hand straps, and bring their legs into tabletop. Then give them the breath and movement – inhale to prepare, exhale to sweep the arms down and curl up, inhale to release. And now your clients are moving. From here, you can give more specific technique cues, additions, and variations. If you talk them through everything at the start, they will be waiting several minutes for you to finish and may feel as though their time has been wasted. Additionally, if you get bogged down with technique cues from the get-go, clients may become self-conscious or afraid to move in case they get something ‘wrong.’
Tip Three – Use simple language
Remember that not everyone has the same knowledge of anatomy that you do, and English may not be their first language, so try to use vocabulary that is accessible to everyone. Let’s use rowing as an example. You could instruct clients to activate their lats and rhomboids by retracting their scapula, or you could instruct them to gently draw their shoulder blades down and in towards one another. The latter example is simple, uses words that most people know, and is therefore likely to be clearer and more effective.
Tip Four – Project
There can be a lot of sounds in a Pilates studio – music, breathing, the sounds of the Reformer, etc., and some clients may have hearing impairments, so it’s important to project your voice. It’s sometimes hard to know whether you’re projecting or yelling. Projecting uses your diaphragm, and yelling or shouting uses your vocal cords. Think about when an absolute banger comes on in the car and you belt it out with enthusiasm, and then your throat feels a bit sore – that’s yelling. When you project your voice, use your breath and your diaphragm to produce the sound. Not only is this easier for your clients to listen to, but it also preserves your voice, which is great when you’re teaching multiple classes in a row.
Tip Five – Vary your tone, pitch, and pace
Have you ever listened to someone present on a topic and noticed yourself drift off? I have. And most of the time, it’s because they have spoken in a monotone voice. Vary your tone when teaching a class. You don’t have to be fake, but try to be enthusiastic. Slow your speech down when you want your clients to move slower, and speed it up a bit when you want them to move faster. Sometimes how you say something can be more effective than what you say.
To wrap things up, teaching Pilates effectively is about finding that sweet spot between giving enough instruction and letting your clients just move. Keeping things simple, clear, and dynamic helps your classes flow smoothly, making sure everyone leaves feeling accomplished. So, next time you’re tempted to dive deep into anatomy or over-explain, remember: less is more, and clarity is key to keeping your clients engaged and motivated.
For more helpful insights about becoming a Pilates Instructor checkout How to Keep Growing as a Pilates Instructor or How a career switch changed my life.
Or if you would like to find out more about how you can become a pilates instructor here!
