What Makes a Great Pilates Instructor?
So, you’re thinking about becoming a certified Pilates instructor?
Maybe you’ve fallen in love with the feeling of strength after a class. Maybe your instructor lit a fire in you that you didn’t know existed. Or maybe you’re ready for a fresh, fulfilling career that combines movement, meaning, and connection.
But what actually makes a great Pilates instructor? The kind that leaves people walking out of class taller, stronger, and somehow… happier?
Spoiler alert: it’s not just about perfecting your plank or knowing your anatomy (though those matter too!). It’s about how you make people feel the moment they walk into the room—and long after they’ve rolled up their mats, put on their grippy socks, wiped down their reformer machines.
Let’s explore what sets brilliant instructors apart—and how at Addicted to Pilates, we help shape the kind of instructors who don’t just teach… they transform.
1. They Bring the Energy – Every Time
Ever walked into a class and felt the buzz before it even begins? That electric feeling when the instructor greets you by name, music is flowing, and you know it’s going to be a good session?
That’s not luck – it’s presence. A great Pilates instructor sets the tone, reads the room, and knows how to lift the energy or ground it, depending on what their people need that day.
Without energy, even the best class plan falls flat. With energy, even the simplest exercises feel powerful.
In our instructor courses, we don’t just teach you what to say—we help you practice how to say it. Through in-person sessions, online content, and complimentary practice teaching hours, you’ll learn how to lead with confidence, enthusiasm, and authenticity.
2. They Care Deeply – And Clients Feel It
When someone takes a class and leaves feeling better than when they arrived, that’s not just Pilates. That’s care in action.
Great instructors pay attention. They notice when someone’s new or nervous. They remember old injuries, offer a modification without making anyone feel “less than,” and create a safe space where every body belongs.
That level of care isn’t taught in a textbook – it’s nurtured through mentorship, real-world experience, and an environment where you’re seen too.
At Addicted to Pilates, we’ve made care part of our curriculum. We train instructors to look beyond the body—to teach with heart, with empathy, and with the kind of presence that changes someone’s entire day.
3. They Know Their Stuff – And They Love Sharing It
A great instructor has a strong foundation in anatomy, alignment, Pilates principles, and smart progressions and regressions. But more than that—they love teaching it.
They can explain an exercise different ways to suit different learning styles. They make you feel successful, supported, and challenged all at once.
Our internationally accredited courses give our students a well-rounded, modern teaching toolkit. You’ll leave not just knowing how to teach—but how to inspire.
4. They’re Always Growing
The best instructors never stop learning. They take workshops, try different classes, ask questions, and evolve. They stay curious, humble, and open.
That’s why we offer access to our online learning library for a full year – so your journey doesn’t end when the course does. You’ll have space to revisit content, deepen your understanding, and keep growing long after your certificate arrives.
5. They Make You Feel Something
And this is the heart of it all.
A great instructor doesn’t just run through a list of exercises—they take you on a journey. They connect. They uplift. They hold space. They make you feel stronger, seen, capable, and proud of what your body can do.
If you’ve ever left class thinking, “I needed that,” then you’ve felt the magic a great instructor creates.
At Addicted to Pilates, that’s exactly the kind of instructor we aim to create.
Ready to Become One of Them?
Whether you’re a passionate Pilates lover, a fitness professional, or a total beginner to the teaching world—if you’ve got the heart, we’ll give you the tools.
Our next Mat, Reformer & Barre Instructor Courses are open for enrolment, with face-to-face training, online content, and the support of a passionate, experienced team who really care.
Want to learn more? Join us for our Course Info Session or head to addictedtopilates.com.au to check out dates & details.
This could be the start of something exciting. And we can’t wait to cheer you on.
With love,
Oli Novakovic
Studio Founder & Head of Instructor Training
Addicted to Pilates
