Don’t Underestimate Your Value: A New Pilates Teacher’s Guide
You have just spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on reputable Pilates training. You have studied your movement principles and your anatomy diligently. You have practiced your cueing skills. You have maintained a consistent personal practice and you have FINALLY and SUCCESSFULLY completed your Pilates Test Out. You’re Certified! Yahoo!
And then your first job offer comes in…it’s less than ideal… Low pay. No mentorship. Unclear expectations.
BUT you say yes anyway, because you’re excited for the opportunity and want the experience.
If that sounds familiar you’re not alone. But it’s also not something you have to accept.
The struggles many new Pilates Teachers deal with
Most new Pilates instructors don’t struggle because they lack skill or passion.
They get trapped into an environment that doesn’t support their growth.
It often looks like:
• Saying yes to the first opportunity without asking questions
• Accepting low or inconsistent pay
• Teaching outside your scope of practice
• Feeling like you have to “prove yourself” before being valued
• Being misaligned with the values of the studio ownership
As a new teacher, the yearning to prove one’s self is huge and insecurities can often run
high and be taken advantage of.
Red Flags to Watch For When Applying For Work
Not all studios are created equal. Some will help you grow into an exceptional teacher- others will burn you out before you’ve even found your voice.
Here are signs to pay attention to:
• No audition process or request for proof of certification
You become part of a team that does not value your teaching ability.
• No onboarding or mentorship
You’re thrown onto the schedule with little to no preparation.
• Vague or inconsistent pay structure
You’re unclear on what you’ll earn - or payments feel unpredictable.
• Pressure to teach beyond your scope of training
You’re asked to teach formats or clients you’re not prepared for.
• Program/Exercise Gatekeeping
You’re told what you can and cannot teach to your clients and classes.
• Micromanaging Your Teaching Strategies
You’re criticized in a way that forces you to teach in a voice that is far from your own.
• Lack of investment in continuing education
There’s no support for you to continue to learn.
If you’re experiencing multiple red flags, this is your time to take a big step back and look at the BIG picture.
Green Flags of a Transformative Studio
The right environment will feel…well…RIGHT!
Look for studios that:
• Offer mentorship, feedback, or teacher development
• Have clear, transparent pay structures
• Respect your scope of practice and level of experience
• Encourage continuing education and growth
• Treat you as a professional-not just another warm body on the schedule
These studios absolutely exist and will fully support your growth as a teacher.
A significant question for you to ask yourself is, “Do my values as a teacher align with the values of the studio owner?
The basis of the studio-from the team to the clientele to the studio environment, all comes down to the Values that start at the top.
A Mindset Shift Every New Teacher Needs
Being new does not mean being less valuable.
You gain experience and more knowledge by DOING.
You are a trained professional who has invested time, money, and energy into learning a
complex system of movement.
Your value is not determined by how long you’ve been teaching - it’s reflected in:
• Your education
• Your attention to detail
• Your ability to create safe, effective movement experiences
• Your energy that you bring to your teaching
You SHOULD ask questions!
You SHOULD expect clarity!
Don’t just say YES! Ask questions!
Before taking a new position, gather your data.
Ask questions like:
• What is the pay structure?
• Is there mentorship or feedback available?
• What are the expectations outside of teaching?
• Will I be asked to teach modalities outside of my scope of practice?
• How are cancellations and schedule changes handled?
The answers will tell you everything you need to know about how a studio operates- and how they will treat you.
In the grand scheme of things, the studio you choose at the beginning of your career can have a significant impact on your teaching trajectory.
It shapes:
• Your confidence
• Your teaching habits
• Your understanding of your own value
Starting in the wrong environment can lead to burnout, self-doubt, and even leaving the
industry altogether. Starting in the right one can accelerate your growth, deepen your
skills, and help you build a long, sustainable career.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to earn your worth by overworking, undercharging, or staying quiet.
BUT you also have to be realistic in the time it will take for you to build your schedule.
Be patient with the process.
The Pilates Community needs skilled, thoughtful, well-supported teachers. And that includes YOU!
Give yourself grace in the learning process. Trust in the tools that you were given. AND lean into who YOU are as a teacher.
Choose the spaces that recognize your value - not just the ones that will hire you!
Heidi Coles is a Balanced Body Educator with a Pre/postnatal Pilates Certification, a BASI
Comprehensive Certification w/Dance Specialization, and holds a degree in Dance from
California State University, Long Beach. Heidi is known for the high energy she brings to the
spaces she teaches in.