Full disclosure– I am clinically trained in Reformer Pilates. I have trained with Polestar and am fully certified with APPI. I no longer teach these sessions. I still love the full studio equipment, and I know the benefits.
I was a bit confused when another of my clients who is recovering from cancer surgery and just finished chemotherapy told me they had been to a reformer studio and the session was choreographed to music. As this was the 2nd client to try it, I thought I would have a look.
I asked my Pilates classes what they knew about the fitness industry and training levels… Interesting…
• Nobody realised that there are different instructor levels
• That each level would require more in-depth knowledge in anatomy, movement etc
• That you need to be at a certain level to have the skills to adapt exercises for people
• That there are organisations that help to maintain certain standards within the industry
Reformer Pilates has exploded in the UK, and honestly, I’m thrilled that people are discovering what this fabulous method can do. But there’s a side to the boom that worries me a little. The words “Pilates” and “Reformer Pilates” carry a lot of weight. They’re used in clinical rehab, chronic pain work, mobility training and so much more. Clients walk into any studio believing those words mean a certain standard of training and safety.
Except… they don’t. Not anymore.
Because Pilates isn’t trademarked, anyone can use the name. And with the rise of fast-track branded trainings, there’s now a huge range of instructor backgrounds in the market– from highly specialised clinical practitioners to people who’ve had a single weekend course and a bit of choreography training.
Clinical Reformer Pilates: the gold standard in rehab
This is the zone used in hospitals, alongside physio, and in specialist clinics and studios. Instructors will usually have level 3 or 4 qualifications, advanced anatomy knowledge, and training in 1 or more; pathologies, injuries, cancer and surgical considerations. They may have specialised training in scar tissue, osteoporosis, joint replacements, cancer treamtnet side effects, neuropathy, back pain– the list goes on.
The movements are slow, precise, controlled, and backed by clinical reasoning. This is the world I work in, and it’s highly personalised
“A Pilates Practitioner doesn’t teach a routine. They read the body in front of them and select the right tool from a deep toolkit of movement, knowledge and clinical understanding.”
Fitness Reformer Pilates: brilliant but different
These classes are structured, fun, energising, and perfect for people who are fit, well, and wanting to build strength. Many of these instructors are very good at what they do. But their training might not cover injuries, surgical histories, cancer rehab, or chronic conditions. These classes aren’t disigned for people with complex needs.
There is nothing wrong with fitness reformer – it is fantastic – as long as clients understand what they are choosing.
“A good Pilates teacher reads your body like a map. A choreographed instructor reads the playlist. Both have their place, but they are not the same job.”
Branded methods (like Bounce)) Bed or similar): faster, fun and choreographed
This is where things get muddier. Some branded reformer-style methods offer short trainings that focus on choreography and energy rather than clinical depth. They often look and feel more like a workout class on a machine
“Pilates is about understanding bodies. Choreographed fitness is about understanding beats.”
There’s absolutely space for these classes. They are engaging, accessible, and brilliant for fitness. But when a brand uses the word “Reformer Pilates,” the public often assumes a level of anatomical and clinical training that isn’t actually required for that qualification.
Why it Matters
For healthy clients? It probably doesn’t.
For cancer patients, older adults, post surgical clients, or anyone managing a condition? It matters enormously. The reformer (and other Pilates equipment) is a powerful piece of kit, and in the wrong hands or the wrong context, it can aggravate pain, swelling, scar tissue, prolapse, or joint instability.
So What Should Clients Look for?
I have a simple guide below. but really, just ask this: ask about the instructor’s background, not just the brand they represent. If you need clinical support, choose someone trained to work clinically. This goes for every kind of exercise you want to do.
Clear information empowers safer choices.
This is simple breakdown of the different levels of instructor training. It’s the bit most people never get to see. In the UK fitness world, there are different levels of instructor training. They are not all equal, and they don’t all prepare someone to work with ceertain populations, health conditions, injuries and so on.
• Level 2
• Entry- Level fitness instructor • Covers basic anatomy and how to lead safe, general exercise • Often the minimum for sessions like circuits, exercise to music or HIIT • Does not qualify someone to work with special populations, conditions
• Level 3
• This is where you will usually find a proper pilates training usually starts • Much deeper anatomy, posture and movement knowledge • Will know how to adapt exercises safely • A safer choice for beginners or anyone with mild limitations • GP referral schemes from this level
• Level 4
• Advanced clinical knowlege • Advanced trainings to work with specialist populations, Older adults, Osteoporosis, Cancer Rehab, Low Back Pain, Cardiac Rehab, Neurological conditions. There are many more. • Covers pathologies, injury management, post-surgical considerations, chronic conditions • Used in specialist rehab settings
• Level 5
• Advanced clinical reasoning • Often used in medical and therapeutic environments
Many of the branded courses sit outside of these qualification levels altogether, and even within a discipline you will find one modality can require 200 – 500 hours training. That’s a huge difference in learning time!
So What should You Look For? And What Should You Ask?
1) What qualifications does the instructor hold? (If you have a condition, injury or surgical history, you are looking for someone with the relevant training)
2) Ask for the specifics of the class. (Is it a clinical class, a fitness class or a branded programme?)
3) Do you have experience working with my condition/injury/surgery? (Any hesitation, gives you your answer)
4) Will the class give me individual adjustments if needed? (This matters hugely in a group reformer session)
5) What happens if something doesn’t feel right during the class? (A good instructor will have a clear plan)
6) Do you screen your clients before their first session? (a well trained instructor will and clinically trained always do)
None of the questions are rude or awkward. You are protecting your body– a well trained instructor will welcome your questions.