You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• customer service skills
• the ability to work on your own
• leadership skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
• have insurance

You could do a course like a Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates or Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates.

It may be useful if you have a background in teaching exercise.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• Level 2 or 3 fitness qualification

More Information

• funding advice
• search for courses

You could start by doing one of the following apprenticeships;

• Level 2 Leisure team member
• Level 3 Personal trainer

Following further training, you could then move into pilates teaching.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You can train as a teacher by doing pilates courses with a specialist training provider or a professional body.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join organisations like the Pilates Teacher Association or the Pilates Foundation for professional development and training opportunities.

In your day-to-day duties you may:

• work with clients, either one-to-one or in groups
• design exercise routines that suit the needs and abilities of each client
• teach exercises which are done on a mat, or using specialist equipment
• break down exercises and help clients to establish good movement skills using exercises to target problem areas
• keep detailed client records
• maintain your own level of fitness through regular practice
• teach clients to handle stress and to relax more easily
• seek new clients or venues
• advertise and market your classes

You could work at a fitness centre or in a creative studio.

Your working environment may be physically active.