A day in the life of a Pilates Instructor: what really happens behind the scenes

One of the things I love about Pilates is that no two days are ever the same.

From the outside, it can look quite simple. You arrive for class, the room is ready, the music is playing, and your instructor guides you through the session. But behind every class is a lot of preparation, problem-solving, and continuous learning that most people never get to see so I thought I'd share a little insight into what happens behind the scenes here at The Studio.

Getting The Studio ready

The day starts before the first client walks through the door. Every studio has its own personality, but the set-up process is pretty similar. We open up, turn on the lights, set the temperature and make sure the space feels welcoming and comfortable. We also check all of the equipment to ensure it's safe and ready to use.

The Reformers work hard throughout the day, so regular checks are essential. Springs, straps, foot bars and moving parts all need to be in good working order before classes begin.

Then comes what some might argue is the most important job of all – choosing the music.

The right playlist can completely change the atmosphere in the room. Sometimes you want something upbeat and energetic, other times something calmer and more focused. Either way, great music helps create a great experience.

Planning classes isn't as simple as you might think

One of the biggest misconceptions about teaching Pilates is that we simply repeat the same classes over and over again.

The reality couldn't be further from the truth.

Before each class, I'll usually look at who's attending. I'll review any notes we have about injuries, movement restrictions, previous surgeries or specific goals. I'll also consider the type of class I'm teaching. A beginner session requires a very different approach to an advanced Reformer class.

With all of that information, I'll create a plan for the session. But here's the interesting part: that plan often changes. A client might arrive with a sore neck after a poor night's sleep. Someone else may have tweaked their back gardening at the weekend. Another person may be feeling tired and need a slightly gentler session than usual.

As instructors, we're constantly adapting. We assess how people are moving, how they're feeling, and whether the exercises are giving them what they need that day. Sometimes we'll progress an exercise because everyone is moving brilliantly. Other times we'll strip things back and focus on the fundamentals. The goal is always the same: to give every client the best possible session for their body on that particular day.

We're always learning

As much as I'd love to tell you that we know everything there is to know about Pilates, the truth is we don't, and that's a good thing. The fitness, health, and rehabilitation industries are constantly evolving. New research emerges, new techniques are developed, and our understanding of the human body continues to grow. That's why Continued Professional Development (CPD) is such an important part of what we do.

Here at The Studio, our instructors regularly take part in monthly teaching workshops where we explore different teaching methods, movement concepts and client case studies. We also attend anatomy courses and specialist training to deepen our knowledge and improve our coaching.

Many of our team have completed additional education in areas such as:

• Back pain and rehabilitation

• Pre- and post-natal exercise

• Injury prevention and recovery

• Movement for older adults

• Advanced Reformer Pilates

• 
  

The more we learn, the better we can support you, our clients.

The best part of the job

While there's a lot that happens behind the scenes, the most rewarding part of being a Pilates teacher is seeing people progress.

Whether it's someone touching their toes for the first time in years, returning to exercise after an injury, feeling stronger during pregnancy, or simply leaving class feeling better than when they arrived, those moments never get old.

Every class presents a new challenge and a new opportunity to help someone move, feel, and live better. So next time you arrive at the Studio and everything seems to run smoothly, you'll know there's been a little more going on behind the scenes than simply turning on the lights and pressing play on a playlist. Although, I'll admit, choosing the music is still one of my favourite jobs!

See you in class soon!

Adam James - Reformer Pilates Instructor

Read more about Adam in Our Team section