Take control

Learn how to use Joseph Pilates' original Contrology methods to advance your career as a Pilates teacher.

HFE Pilates teacher holding circle in Pilates class
HFE Pilates teacher holding circle in Pilates class

Pilates instructor courses and qualifications

Blending pioneering concepts with modern approaches, we deliver the industry's most credible and highly respected Pilates instructor courses and qualifications. Our Pilates instructor courses combine comprehensive practical training, supported home study, extensive online lectures and high level of individual support to help you turn you into a truly professional Pilates teacher.

HFE student on Pilates reformer

HFE Pilates standard

Joseph Pilates taught the importance of complete coordination of the mind, body and spirit, underlining the importance of these systems working together. Similarly, our Pilates instructor courses and qualifications coordinate a range of learning content and study options to bring to engage all your learning senses and unlocking your potential.

  • Gold standard Pilates training

    Like Joseph Pilates himself, our courses are recognised around the world as a leading standard of Pilates teacher education.

  • Unlimited possibilities

    Recognised around the world as a mark of quality, our Pilates qualifications provide the perfect solution to get your career as a professional Pilates teacher underway.

  • Outstanding support

    Our friendly team of highly experienced professionals will be on hand to provide expert guidance and support throughout your Pilates instructor course and beyond.

  • High-quality training centres

    Our face-to-face Pilates instructor courses are delivered from some of the UK's premier health, fitness and hospitality centres, ensuring you get the best learning experience.

Flexible Pilates study options

There are a variety of ways in which you can complete our Pilates teacher training courses, including home study, online learning, virtual delivery and face-to-face training. Our Pilates instructor courses are designed to meet everyone’s learning needs.

Pilates teacher with circle

Pilates courses near you

Combine supported distance learning with intensive practical face-to-face training to give you the most comprehensive and fully immersive Pilates instructor course.

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Virtual Pilates courses

A fully at-home training course which has the perfect blend of supported home study with live, virtual online practical Pilates training. With our virtual Pilates instructor courses, the practical comes to you.

Industry-standard Pilates qualifications

The minimum standard to practice as a Pilates teacher requires you to hold the Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates. If you want to get to the front of the class, then our Essentials Pilates package will give you all the tools you need to start your career as a Pilates instructor.

Become a Pilates specialist

Outside of the health and fitness industry, Pilates is also widely used in clinical and rehabilitation settings to improve posture, musculoskeletal health and to aid recovery from injuries. Our specialist Pilates instructor packages are expertly designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to use more advanced forms of Pilates, mat-based and reformer, to support a more diverse range of clients.

reformer pilates one-to-one session

Advanced

£1610

Pilates Instructor

Combine our two most-popular Pilates programmes, and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills you need to deliver safe and effective mat and reformer-based Pilates.

Courses Included:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates

  • Level 3 Teaching Reformer Pilates

0% payment plans

Interest-free
payment plan
£113
per month
Get started with a deposit of £250
See Plans
5% discount
for prompt payment
save £80.50
Pilates teacher with pregnant woman

Specialist

£1285

Pilates Instructor

Get the knowledge, skills, confidence and qualifications to teach Pilates to new and expectant mothers with our Specialist Pilates package.

Courses Included:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates

  • Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Pre and Postnatal Clients

  • Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Practical Workshop

0% payment plans

Interest-free
payment plan
£86
per month
Get started with a deposit of £250
See Plans
5% discount
for prompt payment
save £64.25
Pilates teacher with Mat

Elite

£2515

Pilates Instructor

Totally immerse yourself into the science and philosophy of teaching mat and reformer Pilates with our advanced Elite Pilates programme.

Courses Included:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates

  • Level 3 Teaching Reformer Pilates

  • Level 4 Advanced Certificate in Teaching Pilates

0% payment plans

Interest-free
payment plan
£188
per month
Get started with a deposit of £250
See Plans
5% discount
for prompt payment
save £125.75

Pilates extras and exclusives

Compliment your studies and invigorate your future career with our range of exclusive offers and extras which you'll unlock once you complete one of our Pilates instructor courses. From discounts on leading Pilates equipment brands to employment opportunities, we’ve got your back.

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CV Connect

Launch your Pilates career with our innovative CV Connect platform. With CV Connect, you can connect your CV with thousands of gyms, health clubs and leisure centres throughout the UK.

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Offers and discounts

Get your Pilates business off the ground with generous discounts from organisations like CIMSPA, The Mad Group and many other high-quality and well-known Pilates brands.

Take a breath, we’ve got you…

From resources, training manuals, online lectures, training venues, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. Throughout your Pilates instructor course, our resources and tutors work seamlessly together to help you find your flow. Support is unlimited and our team of expert Support Tutors will be on hand when you ned them. Typically, we support students in the following ways:

  • Phone

  • Email

  • Video calls

  • Webinars

HFE support tutor on phone

FREE comprehensive guide to becoming a Pilates teacher

Discover everything you need to know about your future career in Pilates with our Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Pilates Teacher. With over 40 pages of expertly crafted content, you’ll learn what it takes to become a truly great Pilates teacher.

Thank you for downloading our Guide to Becoming a Pilates Teacher. This should now be in your inbox for you to read through. We hope this answers all of your questions, however if you want any more information or advice, our careers team would love to hear from you.

Pilates career guide screen

Individual Pilates teacher courses

If you didn't find a Pilates teacher training package to suit you, choose one of our individual Pilates instructor courses featured below.

Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates

Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates


Give your career a stable foundation with the industry’s most widely recognised mat Pilates qualification.

 Level 3 Reformer Pilates Teacher Training

Level 3 Reformer Pilates Teacher Training


Learn the ropes of teaching reformer-based Pilates using the original principles, concepts and techniques of Joseph Pilates.

Level 3 Pilates for Pre and Postnatal Clients

Level 3 Pilates for Pre and Postnatal Clients


Discover how to adapt and deliver Pilates exercises safely and effectively to meet the specific needs of pre and postnatal clients.

Level 3 Adapting Pilates for Older Adults

Level 3 Adapting Pilates for Older Adults


Combining our popular Level 3 award in adapting exercise for older adults with a precise hands-on practical workshop

Level 3 Award in Instructing Standing Pilates

Level 3 Award in Instructing Standing Pilates


Make your Pilates classes more diverse and inclusive in learning how to teach Pilates from a standing position.

Level 4 Advanced Mat Pilates Certificate

Level 4 Advanced Mat Pilates Certificate


Take your career to new heights with the highest level of Pilates qualification available. Learn how to apply specific modern scientific evidence to help aid all type of clients.

More than a Pilates qualification

Our Pilates instructor courses and qualifications are coordinated by leading doctors, physiotherapists and Pilates professionals to provide you with the most comprehensive training. Going beyond the minimum level 3 requirements, we’ve done the hard work to give you the opportunity to become the best Pilates teacher you can be.

  • Outstanding content

    Extensive and varied, our learning materials are perfect for every learning style and will keep you engaged from start to finish

  • Expertly delivered

    Our Pilates instructor courses are designed and delivered by clinical and Pilates exercise specialists, so you can be sure you're learning from the best

  • Friendly and supportive tutors

    Our friendly and experienced support tutors are on hand whenever you need them

Physiotherapist lecture content on iPhone screen

*Images and videos are for illustration purposes and may not depict specific course materials.

Our reputation precedes us

Serious about Pilates? So are we, which is why we don't take our responsibility for training the next generation of Pilates teachers lightly. Reputation is everything, so if you want to be the best Pilates teacher you can be, train HFE...

Don’t just take our word for it

We have some of the widest range of Pilates instructor courses and qualifications in the active leisure sector which is why we have a reputation for training excellence.

Discover what our graduates have to say about their HFE training experience... you might even recognise a few of the famous faces that we've trained in recent years.

HFE.co.uk
1812 reviews |
4.9
out of 5
All Reviews
james crossley hunter

"HFE is the ultimate fitness training provider. Without a doubt their personal training courses are the best in the industry."

James Crossley

(Hunter from Gladiators)
HFE yoga graduate Laura Massaro during squash match

"The course has really helped me to better understand yoga so that I can improve my performance and remain World No. 1."

Laura Massaro

(Former World #1 Squash Player)
HFE graduate Holly Bradshaw holding GB flag at Olympics

"HFE have been fantastic and have produced some of the best materials I've seen in the fitness industry."

Holly Bradshaw

(Team GB Olympic Bronze Medalist Pole Vaulter, 2020 Olympic Games)
HFE student Louise Fiddes holding gold medal

"HFE were understanding and the course is really flexible. I knew this would be perfect for me."

Louise Fiddes

(GB Paralympic Swimmer World Champion )
Antonia Johnston yoga

"I did my ETM and yoga teacher training with HFE and thoroughly enjoyed both... I highly recommend them."

Antonia Johnston

(Co-Founder of YogaFit Retreats)

Frequently asked Pilates questions

Listed below are a range of common questions presented by our Pilates students. If you have a question that hasn't been answered about our Pilates instructor courses or your future Pilates career, feel free to call our Careers Team on 0800 612 4067 who will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have.

  • How do I become a Pilates Teacher?

    For newcomers to the intricate and exciting world of Pilates, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about having a passion for the practice or the right qualifications, it’s also about the qualities you have as an instructor. To truly lead the way, you need to possess excellent observation and communication skills, have noticeable empathy and interest in those you teach and be able to demonstrate your detailed knowledge of movement and posture.

    On the education side of things, ideally, you will already hold a Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification, either as a Level 2 Gym Instructor or Level 2 Exercise to Music Instructor, but there no formal entry requirements. The Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates is the entry-level qualification you need to become a bona fide instructor. This course can be done stand-alone or combined with others such as Level 3 Exercise Referral Course and Level 4 Exercise for Low Back Pain to form a career package.

    Alongside our mat Pilates course, we also offer two specialised workshops: Pilates for Pre and Postnatal Clients and Pilates for Older Adults. Both are designed to enhance the range of clients you’re able to work with.

    After qualifying at Level 3, two routes open up and both in fact work beautifully together. The Level 3 Reformer Pilates Teacher course is focused on using the universal reformer, while the Level 4 Certificate in Mat Pilates is the highest-level Pilates qualification you can achieve in the UK. Both have the potential to be game-changers for your Pilates instructor career.

    If you’re keen to take a deeper dive then our Becoming a Pilates Instructor Guide provides a comprehensive look at everything from qualifications to insurance, career opportunities and more.

  • Do you run Pilates instructor courses near me?

    We pride ourselves on delivering the most intensive and hands-on Pilates experience in the industry. To help us with this, we work incredibly closely with the likes of David Lloyd, The Village, Bannatyne and others for our practical weekend training.

    It’s our goal to offer students maximum choice and flexibility when it comes to their studies and that’s why we currently run our Pilates instructor courses at over 15 venues across England, Scotland and Wales. A few of our well-equipped, flagship centres include London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, York, Glasgow.

    You can find a full list of venues on our Pilates Instructor Locations and Venues page. It’s here that we’ve also included a full breakdown of each venue’s facilities, including the closest train station, accommodation available in the area, parking and any offers and discounts available.

    For those who are unable to travel to one of our venues, we also offer the option for you to complete an online Pilates teacher course entirely from the comfort of your own home.

  • What Pilates instructor jobs are available once I've qualified?

    We frequently get asked by our students and graduates if we offer guaranteed interviews or jobs and the simple answer is no. While other providers may engage in this practice, we’re of the belief that the choice should firmly be in your hands with regard to where you teach Pilates.

    In the past we’ve had our graduates launch highly successful international retreats, open their open studios and teach classes at some of the country’s leading gyms and clubs. It just goes to show the length and breadth of opportunities available for Pilates instructors.

    To help you get started, we’ve created CV Connect. This exclusive and innovative platform unlocks within LES (Learner Engagement System) as soon as you’ve completed one of our courses. The process is simple and intuitive and all you’d need to do is upload your CV, select the employers in your area and then connect with them directly.

    Right now we are close to having thousand active vacancies from some of the UK’s biggest health and fitness operators including Fitness First, DW, JD Gyms and Pure Gym.

    If you’re looking for more information about employment as an instructor, we’ve created a dedicated article about Pilates instructor jobs and opportunities that we highly recommend you read if you’re serious about this career pathway.

  • How long will it take to get qualified as a Pilates instructor?

    Each and every one of our Pilates students are different and will approach their studies in a different way, at their own pace. It is only a guideline but typically, we find students are able to complete the Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates in 8-10 weeks. The time is split between home study and then attending practical training at one of our venues.

    If we look at the Specialist career package, which contains two courses, we find students are able to complete in as little as 10-12 weeks. Finally, we have the Elite package and this designed to take you from Level 3 right through to a Level 4 Pilates instructor. As there are three courses within this package it does take from 22-24 weeks to qualify. By the end of that journey, you will be a Level 4 elite Pilates instructor and this status will more than set you ahead in the industry.

  • What learning resources are available while I study?

    From the moment you’ve enrolled onto one of our Pilates instructor courses, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Learner Support Tutor. You’ll be able to lean on their years of instructing experience via phone or email throughout the week. Their support is unlimited and no question is genuinely too big, small or complicated.

    We also provide access to LES, the Learner Engagement System, and you’ll use this innovative online platform to complete your home study learning. Within LES you’ll find worksheets and lesson plans to complete, practise quizzes and video demonstrations of Joseph Pilates’ original 34 mat-based exercises.

    As a companion to LES, we’ll send you bespoke learner manuals in the post which can also be accessed via the HFE phone and tablet app. See the quality of these for yourself by taking a look at our Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates Sample Manual or our Level 3 Reformer Pilates Teacher Sample Manual.

    Alongside all of the learning resources we provide for our students, we’ve also created a series of expertly-written Pilates Instructor Career Guides and Articles for you to read. We’ve covered the basics of becoming a Pilates instructor as well as more specialised topics such as Pilates instructor qualifications. If you’re keen to brush up on history, you’ll also find an incredibly interesting piece about the Origins and History of Pilates.

  • What are my payment options?

    Whether you’re designed to enrol onto a single course or one of our career packages, we want to make things as easy as possible for you to get qualified as a Pilates instructor. That doesn’t just relate to the support we provide or the learning resources available to you, but your payment options as well.

    If you’re in a position to get everything sorted upfront, we’ll give you a 5% discount if you pay for your Pilates instructor course or career package in full. Alternatively, you can spread the cost with either our 6-month or 12-month 0% interest payment plans.

    Finally, select Pilates instructor packages have been military approved. If you’re a service leaver or serving personnel, you can contact our Careers team on 0800 612 4067. We’d be more than happy to provide more information about the MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCAS).

    If you want more detailed information about course discounts, sales and our pricing model, visit our Price Promise page.

Pilates course dates & locations

Our Pilates instructor courses and qualifications are delivered from some of the UK’s premium venues, including hotels, dedicated Pilates studios and health clubs across the country.

We have training venues in locations throughout England, Wales and Scotland, covering most of the major cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, York, Glasgow.

For those students that can’t access our regional training venues, we also have virtual courses that are livestreamed online and available for immediate enrolment. With our virtual courses, you can complete the practical training from the comfort of your own home.

Speak to our Careers Team to find out more about our virtual Pilates courses.

All Locations Pilates Locations
Map
All Locations Pilates Locations

Birmingham – City Centre


Hilton Garden Inn Brindley Place, 1 Brunswick Square, Brindley Place Birmingham B1 2HW

Bristol


Doubletree by Hilton Cadbury House, Frost Hill Congresbury BS49 5AD

Cardiff


Village Hotel Cardiff, 29 Pendwyallt Road Cardiff CF14 7EF

Cardiff – North


David Lloyd Cardiff, Ipswich Road Cardiff CF23 9AQ

Glasgow – Central


The Village Hotel Glasgow, 7 Festival Gate, Pacific Drive Glasgow G51 1DB

Greater Manchester South – Alderley Edge


Runway Pilates Alderley Edge, Medical Centre Talbot Road SK9 7HR

Leeds Central


Kuwa Pilates, 7 King Street Leeds LS1 1HH

Leeds City Centre


DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds City Centre, Granary Wharf Leeds LS1 4BR

London – Chelsea


Harbour Club Chelsea, Watermeadow Lane London SW6 2RW

London – Finchley


David Lloyd Finchley, Leisure Way, High Road London N12 0AU

London – Marble Arch


The Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch London W1H 7DL

London North – Hertford


Nu You Pilates, Foxholes Farm, London Road Hertford SG13 7NT

Manchester – South


Total Fitness Wilmslow, Off A34, Wilmslow - Handforth Bypass, Handforth Wilmslow SK9 3PE

Manchester – South West


Brookstreet Studio, Brook Street Knutsford WA16 8EB

Nottingham – East


Posture Nottingham, Unit 17, Colwick Business Park, Private Road No 2 Nottingham NG4 2JR

Nottingham – South


The Village Hotel Nottingham, Brailsford Way, Beeston Nottingham NG9 6DL

Pilates articles and career guides

Want to know more about the rich history and background of Pilates? Need some objective career advice on a range of matters, including qualifications, employment, pay and insurance? If so, take a look at our range of articles and guides that have been written specifically for those looking to become a qualified Pilates teacher.

Every Pilates enthusiast knows that the Pilates method is guided by a set of universal principles, which inform the way that all Pilates exercises should be performed in order to reap maximum benefits. While the method has changed somewhat over the hundred or so years that it has been practiced, the principles that are at heart of the method remain largely the same.

If you’re passionate about Pilates and you’re keen to become a master of your craft, you’re in good company. Our range of expert Pilates articles and career guides have been specifically written to help give a head start to anyone looking to become a Pilates teacher. Whether you’re after some early insights into employment opportunities for Pilates teachers, or you want to know how to adapt some exercises for low back pain, we’ve got you covered.

A guide to reformer Pilates article on a computer.

Keep in touch

Stay in touch with the Pilates education sector by subscribing to our newsletter and we'll keep you informed of new and exciting updates as soon as we hear about them.

We'll also share the occasional special offer and opportunity with you.

Thank you for downloading our Guide to Becoming a Pilates Teacher. This should now be in your inbox for you to read through. We've covered everything you need to know about Pilates in this guide, however if you want any more information or advice, our careers team would love to hear from you.

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