Evolving Your Pilates Practice: Responding to 2024 Trends with Mbodies CPD Courses

 

The 2024 HFA (Health and Fitness Association) Global Report presents valuable insights for the fitness and wellness sectors, showing clear trends that Pilates instructors should pay attention to as they look to future-proof their careers.  The Pilates industry, particularly Matwork, is reaching saturation in many markets, but there are growing opportunities in areas like apparatus training and specialist education.  Mbodies Training Academy offers a variety of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses that can help Pilates instructors meet these new demands, diversify their services, and enhance their professional skillset.

Here are some ways that Pilates instructors can respond to these industry shifts, utilising CPD courses to stay ahead.

Apparatus Training: Expanding Beyond Matwork and the Reformer

Whilst Pilates Matwork offerings are reaching market saturation in many UK areas and instructors are finding it ever harder to fill their classes, the same is not true of Pilates Reformer offerings and there is a shortage in the UK of Pilates Reformer trained instructors to meet the needs of the expansion of Reformer studios in the past two or three years and this growth in Reformer studios has only just begun.   Compared to other developed countries in Europe Australasia or America there are far fewer Pilates Reformer studios in the UK per population size than elsewhere but far more Matwork offering, but this is set to change.   Mbodies offers some of the most flexible, accessible and high-quality hybrid Reformer CPD for existing Matwork instructors on the market at very affordable pricing.

While many Pilates instructors are already qualified in Reformer work, expanding into other apparatus training such as Tower/Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Barrels can be a strategic move.   According to the HFA Global Report, offering a wider variety of experiences is becoming essential for fitness facilities and studios.  For Pilates instructors, mastering additional apparatuses enables them to cater to clients seeking more personalised or rehabilitative sessions.

Why it matters:  In many studios, Reformer-trained instructors are called upon to teach one-on-one sessions using a range of apparatus.   By gaining proficiency in the Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels, instructors can expand their client offerings, leading to greater opportunities for private sessions and advanced client work.

What you can do:  In addition to Pilates Reformer CPD, Mbodies offers CPD courses in Pilates Tower/Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Barrels, which can help instructors meet the growing demand for specialised apparatus sessions.  These courses prepare instructors to offer more comprehensive Pilates experiences and help studios diversify their class and session offerings​.

Targeting Niche Markets with Specialised CPD

The HFA Global Report underscores the rising importance of catering to niche market segments.   As wellness becomes a primary focus for many clients, Pilates instructors who can specialise in areas like female pelvic health or myofascial release will find themselves in high demand.  Specialised education enables instructors to target specific populations, such as women going through menopause, post-natal clients, or individuals seeking pain relief through soft-tissue work.   The HFA Global Report also focusses on an ever-increasing number of participants seeing fitness as a solution to anxiety, stress and mental health problems rather than purely for physical fitness and these customers are looking for classes to address these needs.

Why it matters: Offering specialised classes allows instructors to differentiate their services in a saturated market.   For instance, Female Pelvic Health is a critical area for women of all ages, particularly older women and those recovering post-partum.  Similarly, myofascial release can help instructors cater to clients seeking pain management, mental health and stress issues or improved mobility, aligning with the growing focus on recovery and well-being​

What you can do: Mbodies provides targeted CPD courses like the Female Pelvic Health Specialist programme and the DFuzz Myofascial Release course.   These programmes equip Pilates instructors to offer specialised classes that meet the evolving needs of their clients, from managing pelvic health to addressing soft tissue restrictions​ and focussing more on anxiety, stress and mental health.

 

Meeting Client Demands for Wellness and Mental Health

As mentioned already, one of the major trends from the HFA Global Report is the increased focus on mental wellness.  Clients are seeking fitness options that offer more than just physical conditioning—they want activities that support mental health, reduce stress, and promote mindfulness.  Pilates, with its emphasis on the mind-body connection, is uniquely suited to address these needs.

Why it matters: Clients are increasingly turning to wellness-oriented fitness programmes, and Pilates instructors who incorporate mindfulness and stress-relief elements into their offerings will be well-positioned to capitalise on this trend.  Offering stress-relief Pilates or mindful movement sessions can attract clients looking for holistic health solutions​.

What you can do: Mbodies offers wellness-focused CPD courses, such as modules on Women’s Wellness, Myofascial Release and other mind-body practices.  Instructors can use these courses to deepen their understanding of wellness techniques, allowing them to incorporate these practices into their teaching and better serve clients seeking mental and physical well-being​.

Maximising Career Growth with Advanced CPD

The Pilates industry is highly competitive, and the HFA Global Report suggests that personalisation and advanced training are key to remaining relevant.  Instructors who invest in advanced education will not only increase their expertise but will also position themselves as leaders in their field.

Why it matters: With more clients expecting more relevant to their needs experiences and advanced instruction, investing in apparatus education and specialist courses allows instructors to expand their services.  This not only attracts new clients but also provides opportunities for increased revenue, particularly through private sessions and small-group classes​, but it also makes an instructor more desirable and worthy of higher pay rates for those preferring employment to self-employed work.

What you can do: Mbodies offers a wide range of CPD courses, from advanced apparatus training to specialised education in areas like osteoporosis and bone safe teaching, menopause and adapting teaching style to suit those experiencing mid-life changes.  By investing in these courses, Pilates instructors can stay competitive, meet client expectations, and ensure long-term career growth​.

Preparing for the Future with Mbodies CPD

The 2024 HFA Global Report highlights several trends that Pilates instructors should focus on and leverage to stay competitive and industry-ready.  Whether it's expanding into apparatus work, specialising in niche wellness areas, or offering classes that address mental well-being, investing in CPD courses from Mbodies Training Academy will help instructors stay ahead of the curve.

CPD education has never been more affordable.  With Covid 19 and the need for instructors and training schools alike to become more tech savvy, the high costs of travel, accommodation and face to face training which were the only offering with regards training pre-covid 19 are in the past.   Instructors can now choose a variety of more economic ways to train including Fully in your own time online training, zoom style virtual training or hybrid training where much of the theory is covered online and attendance face to face focusses on the movement and practical skills parts of the training.

Explore the full range of CPD courses available at Mbodies Training Academy to expand your skills, meet the needs of your clients, and future-proof your Pilates career.

Author:  Chris Onslow - Pilates Consultant

Chris Onslow, has run Pilates focussed businesses since 1998.  He and his team specialise in supporting Pilates entrepreneurs and business owners.  With a rich history of owning and running successful Pilates studios in the UK, and supporting others in Europe and the Middle East, Chris has broad expertise in maximising profitability and optimising operational efficiency.  His agency provides top-tier advice on selecting new, pre-owned, and hireable Pilates equipment from renowned brands such as Align-Pilates, Balanced Body or Stott-Pilates/Merrithew.  As the founder of Mbodies Training Academy, Chris continues to revolutionise Pilates education, offering premier online and hybrid CPD and qualification courses for Pilates apparatus instruction and special population CPD.  Discover more about how Chris can support your Pilates Business or home exercise choices at www.pilates-consultant.co.uk