Instructor Spotlight: Claire Roberts

1.     Tell us a little about yourself and your Pilates background

Hi, I’m Claire, the owner and head instructor at Power of Pilates, located in Reading, England. My life is fairly simple, I'm a busy working mum, dog owner and coffee fan and I teach a mean Pilates class! I’ve been teaching and running a Pilates studio for over 18 years and practising it personally for nearly 25 years.

2.     How did you discover Pilates?

For much of my adult life, I lived with constant, debilitating lower back pain and then in 1999 I was blue lighted to hospital after I became temporarily paralyzed. Emergency surgery left me in a body brace and on crutches, with months of hydrotherapy and rehabilitation ahead. I was in desperate need of a way to rebuild my body. A physiotherapist introduced me to Pilates, and it was truly life-changing. It didn’t just help me recover; it gave me a new purpose and career.

3. How do you keep learning?

I am still learning after 18 years of teaching full time and I love the breadth of courses and knowledge that you can now access online, allowing you to learn from teachers all over the world. I draw massive inspiration from my clients; seeing someone change through Pilates, whether it’s regaining strength, overcoming pain, or simply finding confidence to exercise again — that keeps me motivated. I’m also inspired by attending my fellow instructors' classes - they all bring so much knowledge and creativity to their daily Pilates sessions and the sharing of experience and knowledge between the team allows us all to grow.

4.     The best advice you were ever given as a teacher…

"Meet your clients where they are, not where you want them to be." This reminder keeps me focused on individual needs and helps me tailor each session.

5.      Is there something you try and instil in each of your clients?

Yes - consistency and self-compassion. I remind them that progress isn’t always fast, but every small effort builds toward something much greater.

6. The best Pilates course you ever did was…

My initial Pilates mat training was with an Osteopath, whose exceptional knowledge of the body made the course unforgettable and deeply insightful. More recently, I completed a specialised course on Pilates and Menopause, and I've been integrating what I learned into some of my classes to better support clients navigating this stage of life. 

7. What’s your favourite piece of equipment to use with clients in studio and why?

The Reformer! It’s so versatile and accessible and it makes Pilates feel like a stretch, a challenge and a workout for the mind! If I am teaching Mat it has to be the circle – there are so many ways to use it! 

8. How do you stay motivated?

Seeing the incredible changes in my clients. Some of them have been with me for 18 years, and it's truly inspiring to see their ongoing commitment to their health. Watching their progress, whether it's a small milestone or a major achievement. It reminds me of why I love what I do and fuels my drive to keep supporting them.

9. What makes you laugh the most?

My son - he may only be 12 but he has a fantastic sense of humour and helps me a lot with social media!

10. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?

With my family. A long walk with my dog, Rufus, followed by a flat white coffee. Simple things.

11. How many pairs of grip socks do you own? 

Too many to count—at least 20 pairs, all in different colours! What's not to love about a Stretch Band - they're so versatile—they can help with strength, mobility and flexibility and the best part is you can pack one in your bag to take wherever you go 

12. Does your family ‘really know’ what’s involved in your job? 

Yes, running our studio truly is a family affair! They see me teaching classes and managing the studio and they are often seen at the studio helping out with events or moving equipment and renovations. They’re very supportive and that means the world to me.