REFORMER INSTRUCTOR TRAINING · NATIONALLY & INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED
Comprehensive Reformer Pilates instructor certification designed for people who want to teach Reformer Pilates in studios, gyms, allied health settings or their own Pilates business. Learn and master 120+ Reformer exercises, from foundational movements through to intermediate exercises, with practical, hands-on training designed to give you the skills and confidence to instruct in the real world.
Online Pre-Course Study
Face-to-Face or Online via Zoom
2 Online Exams + 1 Practical Assessment
Receive Your Qualification
The Studio Pilates Reformer Course builds on your existing Matwork Pilates skills to make you a confident Reformer instructor. It combines 30 hours of online pre-course study, including a workshop video for each of the 120+ exercises, with a live practical course run in person or fully online via Zoom.
You’ll learn an extensive repertoire of beginner to intermediate Reformer exercises, along with how to make each one easier or harder, check that the right muscles are working, and modify it for shoulder, hip, knee, ankle and elbow injuries and for pregnancy. Most of the practical course is spent instructing in small groups while your facilitator gives you individual feedback. You’ll finish ready to prescribe Reformer work for rehab clients and to give challenging workouts to everyone from beginners to athletes.
Is this course right for me?
The Reformer Course is designed for instructors who have already completed the Studio Pilates Matwork Course and want to expand into Reformer and small group classes. You’ll complete the online study and multiple choice exam before your practical course, which runs for 4 or 5 days depending on the location. Check the course dates to see how long your practical course runs.
Reviewed by Studio Pilates Training Academy · Last verified October 2026
One qualification, more ways to instruct! The Studio Pilates Reformer certification gives you the skills and qualification to confidently instruct Reformer Pilates across a wide range of settings.
Teach Reformer classes in independent Pilates studios.
Instruct group and one-on-one Reformer sessions.
Bring Pilates into appropriate clinical and rehabilitation environments.
Teach clients and classes virtually.
Build your own classes, client base or Pilates business.
Learn everything from foundational core activation exercises essential for rehabilitation and pre and postnatal clients through to our intermediate repertoire loved by stronger clients, athletes and dancers. A broader exercise repertoire means more tools in your instructor toolbox, more variety and better outcomes for your clients.
Pay your course in easy instalments.
Learn more →
Free hard copy manual in Australia + NZ.
Digital manual included worldwide.
Learn to build Reformer classes that flow, challenge and seriously work the body, with the skills to dial the intensity up or down for the person in front of you.
Everyone learns differently. That’s why the Studio Pilates Reformer Course combines a comprehensive Online Training Centre with a 650+ page course manual, giving you multiple ways to learn, practise and master the course content at your own pace.
Hundreds of workshop videos, including a detailed video breakdown of every exercise, sample workouts, programming, injury and pregnancy training.
Your comprehensive reference guide covering exercises, cueing, muscle activation, modifications, programming and more.
Get to know the Reformer inside and out, from its components and accessories to the science behind spring resistance. Learn how to adjust and set up different Reformers, understand spring variations and explore practical considerations including purchasing equipment, maintenance and hygiene.
Learn how to confidently introduce each Reformer class, covering the essential Pilates fundamentals and setting your clients up for a safe, effective workout. Master what to say and how to say it so your clients understand the key principles before they begin.
Learn and master 120+ beginner to intermediate Reformer exercises, including correct movement and muscle activation, troubleshooting client form and modifications for injuries, pregnancy and mobility. Reinforce your learning with a full exercise write-up on the course manual, online exercise workshop videos and self-mastery classes.
Learn how to safely modify Reformer Pilates exercises for a wide range of injuries and conditions, including hip osteoarthritis and instability, knee osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain, cartilage and ligament injuries, ACL tears, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, frozen shoulder, shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tears and tennis elbow. You’ll also learn how to adapt Reformer exercises for pregnancy and postnatal recovery.
Learn how to confidently program one-on-one and group Reformer classes that flow from one exercise to another seamlessly, including exercise selection and sequencing, class duration, intensity and exercise substitutions. You’ll also receive six sample class programs and practical class tips developed from decades of Pilates experience.
Learn how to confidently apply the Studio Pilates Cueing Formula to Reformer exercises, building on the skills developed in Matwork. Refine your verbal, non-verbal and tactile cueing, exercise demonstrations and techniques for correcting client positioning and technique on the Reformer.
Even if your goal is to just teach Reformer Pilates, Matwork is where your instructor training begins. Joseph Pilates believed that Matwork was the foundation of his method and it’s where you’ll master the Pilates fundamentals, understand client injuries and postures, develop your instructing and cueing skills and learn the original exercises that underpin Reformer Pilates. Together, these two qualifications give you a deeper understanding of Pilates, greater versatility and more opportunities to teach.
Master the core Pilates method.
Master the equipment, expand your repertoire.
The confidence, skills and versatility to teach both Matwork and Reformer.
WE DON’T SKIP THE FOUNDATIONS.
Some training providers skip Matwork and go straight to Reformer. We don’t. We believe the best Reformer instructors have a thorough understanding of the Pilates method, not just the equipment. That’s why Matwork is an essential part of our training pathway.
New to instructing? We recommend enrolling in Matwork and Reformer together.
As a prerequisite to enrolling in this course, you –
Pilates Instructors Trained By Another Education Provider
Please note that you are only able to enrol in this course if you are currently enrolled in or have previously completed Studio Pilates’ Matwork Course. You must bridge across to the Studio Pilates method prior to completing any of our ongoing education courses. Click here for more information.
This course is nationally and internationally recognised training and has been approved by a number of leading health and fitness bodies.
If you are a member of any of the following health or fitness bodies, you are able to claim professional development points upon completion of this course.
*You must be a registered Personal Trainer and/or Group Exercise Instructor in order to attain AUSactive CECs, Fitness Pilates Instructors and Pilates Method Teachers are also eligible for CECs. The Matwork Programming and Progressions Course must also be completed to be recognised as a Fitness Pilates Instructor.
** If you hold a Certificate IV in Massage and are registered with AAMT, you can claim the full 20 CPE points upon also completing the Studio Pilates Anatomy Course. Members with a Diploma of Massage are not required to complete the Anatomy Course as a prerequisite
Discover how our courses connect and where they can take you.
From your first day of study to your first classes as a qualified instructor, you’re never left to figure it all out alone. Our team is here to answer questions, calm the nerves, help you through your training and continue supporting you after graduation as you put your new skills into practice.
Study question? Not sure where to start? Nervous about your practical course? Just need to talk something through? Our friendly Student Support team is available Monday to Friday. No question is too big or too small. Give us a call or chat online via live chat.
Get answers when it suits you. Your online Instructor Support Library is available 24/7 with helpful resources and answers to many of the questions that come up throughout your training.
Learn in an encouraging environment with a Master Course Facilitator who’ll watch you instruct, provide personalised feedback and help you build confidence putting your skills into practice.
Your support doesn’t stop when you receive your certificate. Once you’re out there instructing, you can still reach out to us with questions about your teaching, exercises or putting your training into practice.
Yes. The Studio Pilates Matwork Course is a prerequisite for our Reformer Course. Matwork provides the essential foundation in Pilates principles, anatomy, movement, cueing and instructing skills that you’ll build upon during your Reformer training. You can enrol in both courses together, but you must complete your practical Matwork training before attending your practical Reformer training.
Absolutely! If you’re new to Pilates instructing, you can enrol in our Matwork and Reformer Courses together. You’ll begin by building your foundational instructing skills through Matwork before progressing to Reformer. Just make sure your practical Matwork training dates are scheduled before your Reformer training.
Once you complete all course requirements and assessments, you’ll be a fully certified Studio Pilates Reformer Instructor. The Reformer Course is approved by leading health and fitness bodies including AUSactive, so you can also claim professional development points. Find out more about what your Studio Pilates certification means.
You can view all of our upcoming course dates HERE.
There’s no such thing as booking too far out!
Anywhere you like. Studio Pilates Reformer graduates teach in Pilates studios, gyms, town halls, parks and their own businesses. You’ll have the skills to work with individual clients for both rehab and toning, and to take a Reformer class in a larger group setting.
Both courses teach Reformer Pilates, but they are designed for different career pathways.
The Reformer Course is designed for instructors who want to teach in independent Pilates studios, gyms, allied health settings or their own Pilates business. It builds on the foundations of our Matwork Course and teaches 120+ Reformer exercises, along with practical skills in programming, cueing and client management.
The Platinum Instructing Course is specifically designed for people who want to teach at Studio Pilates boutique locations. You’ll learn 150+ exercises and how to instruct using our unique SPTV technology. Platinum certification qualifies you to instruct at Studio Pilates boutique locations only.
Not sure which course is right for you? If you want the flexibility to teach Reformer Pilates across a range of settings, choose Reformer. If your goal is to work at a Studio Pilates boutique location, choose Platinum.
Yes. The practical Reformer course can be completed face to face or fully online via Zoom. Both are delivered in exactly the same way, with the same content and the same Studio Pilates online training centre.
If completing the Reformer Course fully online via Zoom, you must have access to a Reformer at home.
You’re assessed in three ways:
You receive access to the Studio Pilates online training centre (hundreds of videos), Australia’s most comprehensive online Pilates training resource, plus a 650+ page Studio Pilates Reformer manual. Students in Australia and New Zealand receive a free hard copy of the manual. International students use the digital (PDF) manual and can contact us to pay just the shipping for a hard copy.
* You must be a registered Group Exercise/ Gym Instructor in order to attain AusActive CECs
Yes, Studio Pilates offers payment plan options so you can start your training today. View flexible payment instalment options.
No, there are no additional practical instructing hours to log outside your course. All practical instructing takes place during your scheduled training days, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and receive individual feedback from an experienced Master Course Facilitator.
The minimum age to complete our courses is Australian grade 10 or the equivalent. You also need to be at least 16 years of age.
Absolutely not. There is no ‘right age’ to become a Pilates instructor.
Our instructor training is designed for people from all walks and stages of life. You don’t need to be the youngest, strongest or most flexible person in the room. You’re learning how to instruct Pilates, not how to perform like an athlete.
In fact, life experience can be a real asset. Great instructors connect with their clients, communicate clearly and understand that every body moves differently.
Whether you’re 25, 45, 55 or beyond, if you have a passion for Pilates and helping people move well, age shouldn’t be the thing that holds you back.
Absolutely. Our students come in all ages, shapes, genders, appearances and backgrounds. There is no one way a Pilates instructor should look and appearance certainly doesn’t make someone a great instructor. What matters is your passion for Pilates, your ability to connect with people and your desire to help them move and feel better. Great instructors aren’t defined by how they look. They’re defined by how they teach.
Absolutely. We have students from all over the world complete our instructor training. You’ll need to meet our English language requirement of IELTS Band 8, and we also recommend allowing yourself extra study time to practise your spoken cueing. Rewatching the Sample Workouts and practising cues aloud can really help and our Instructor Support team is there to support you throughout your training.
