Reformer Pilates Teacher Training

The most comprehensive course in the UK

Why Pilates?

“I would like to tell you about a client I once knew, a 17 year old boy at the time.

  • He was an aspiring athlete yet suffered from severe hyper-mobility, which means his joints and ligaments were extremely loose. He was knock-kneed and his patellas (kneecaps) would dislocate regularly. His spine was very bendy and struggled to hold itself up so he looked a little sloth-like, and walked very begrudgingly and heavy footed, to paint a picture. Even though he was bendy and loose in most places he couldn’t even get close to touching his toes because his posture overtightened his hamstrings and atrophied his glutes (butt muscles!)

    So at the young age of 17, he had chronic lower back pain, shoulder pain and knee pain. His mother tried everything, from knee surgery to weekly physiotherapy to TENS machines; nothing worked. Luckily, as part of a routine sports training program playing high level water polo, he found Pilates. Over time it completely revolutionised his body! His knees stopped dislocating, his core and spine strengthened, his posture improved dramatically and the back and shoulder pain went away. He felt so strong, able, flexible and pain-free that he wanted to teach others so they could feel the same way.

    That 17 year old boy was me.

    Now 40 years old, my Pilates journey has progressed over the years to learn, practice and teach Yoga & Meditation. While Pilates revolutionised my body, yoga and meditation calmed and focused my mind and nourished my spirit. For me these three practices together achieved the greatest and highest good for the self. But for me and my body, and for so many others today disconnected from their bodies, riddled with aches and pains, Pilates is a much needed starting point to change peoples lives.

Who This Training Is For?

Pilates enthusiasts with a current reformer practice who do not hold a current pilates qualification who are wanting to teach Reformer professionally should apply for:

= Diploma Level 3 in Pilates Reformer (including Pilates Foundations)

Certified Matwork Pilates teachers who are ready to expand qualifications into Reformer (Prerequisite: SoulSpace Matwork Pilates Certification, or equivalent Diploma level 3 in Matwork Pilates, or 2 years teaching experience in movement) should apply for:

= Diploma Level 3 in Pilates Reformer (Recognition of Prior Learning)

Our LEVEL 3 Diploma in Reformer Pilates PLUS Mentorship is the most comprehensive Reformer course available today which includes:

  • 100 Hours of Online Training - Access to the online portal is available up-to 4 weeks before the course start date

  • PILATES FOUNDATIONS + ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY In-Person training 36 hours over 4 days followed by;

  • 50 Hours (10 days) of In Person
    training over 2 weeks intensive Refomer

  • Only 2 students per reformer machine

  • Mentorship includes our Graduate Teacher Program with unlimited weekly development sessions and opportunity for paid Graduate classes

  • Our Studio Guarantee - You can repeat any or all of the course if you are not a competent teacher by completion

Our Pilates Teacher Training package includes:

  • All online and physical course materials and training fees (i.e. no extra costs!)

  • 10 Reformer classes at our Farnham or Petersfield studios as part of your training package

  • A selection of snacks, herbal teas and bean to cup coffee is provided

  • Access to our (GTP) Graduate Teacher Program with unlimited weekly development sessions and the opportunity to teach Graduate classes at the Ebb&Flow studio as soon as you've graduated from the course!

  • PLUS our unique training guarantee: if you fail to pass the course, we will enrol you on the next available course at no extra cost!

Fill in the form to view the next course intake dates 2026

Prices

Diploma Level 3 in Pilates Reformer (Including Pilates Foundations) + Mentorship

*Refomer pilates training if you don’t hold a pilates mat qualification = £3550

Already hold a Mat Pilates qualification?

Diploma Level 3 in Pilates Reformer (Recognition of Prior Learning) + Mentorship

*Refomer modules only = £1950

Would you like do both Mat Pilates & Reformer qualifications?

Diploma Level 3 in Pilates Reformer (Including Pilates Foundations) + Mentorship PLUS

Diploma Level 3&4 in Pilates Matwork + Mentorship

*Both qualifications = £4950

Why Choosing the Right Reformer Pilates Mentor Matters

Choosing the right mentor for your Reformer Pilates training is one of the most important decisions you will make in your education. You are not only learning exercises, set ups, and sequences but you are learning from your mentor’s experience, approach, values, and depth of understanding of the Reformer. A mentor directly shapes how you learn, how you grow, and ultimately how you teach.

For this reason, we strongly encourage you to consider carefully who you choose to train with. The person guiding your Reformer Pilates education will influence your technical precision, your confidence on the apparatus, and the quality of care you offer your clients. Reformer work demands clarity, responsibility, and a deep understanding of how the equipment supports and challenges the body.

Traditionally, the Pilates industry has followed a course led model, where students choose a qualification rather than a mentor. This often leaves little choice in who delivers the training or provides ongoing support, which can result in limited depth, continuity, and personal guidance. We believe Reformer Pilates training should be mentorship led, placing the relationship between teacher and student at the centre of the learning experience.

A meaningful Reformer Pilates training journey requires mentors who truly live and breathe the apparatus. Educators with an embodied understanding of the Reformer repertoire, springs, and progressions, and a genuine commitment to developing thoughtful, skilled teachers. This approach allows learning to be responsive, experiential, and layered, rather than purely transactional.

Owen has been teaching Pilates for over 20 years and has owned multiple studios in both Australia and the UK. The Reformer sits at the core of his practice and teaching philosophy. He is known for his clarity, creativity, and deep respect for the apparatus as a teaching tool. Owen brings enthusiasm, generosity, and depth to his instruction, and is driven by a sincere desire to mentor and support the next generation of Reformer Pilates teachers. Owen will be your primary mentor throughout the in person training.

Pippa brings over two decades of experience as a master educator, mentor, and leader within the Pilates industry. She is comprehensively certified through several internationally recognised training programmes and is an Instructor Trainer for STOTT Pilates, founder of Live Pilates, as well as a senior educator with Breathe Education. Known for blending deep anatomical knowledge with a warm, intuitive teaching style, Pippa is passionate about creating learning experiences that move beyond learning exercises alone, supporting teachers to truly understand the Reformer, make intelligent choices, and teach with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. Pippa leads the online modules and live tutorials of the programme.

This Reformer Pilates curriculum was written entirely by Owen and Pippa, shaped by years of experience delivering teacher trainings internationally and by a shared frustration with the limitations of many existing courses. The programme is YMCA accredited, and during the final accreditation assessment, it was noted as one of the strongest courses the assessors had seen, recognised for its depth, clarity, and mentorship led structure. At its core, this training is about mentorship, thoughtfully curated, carefully delivered, and grounded in a deep commitment to education, integrity, and care.

MEET OWEN
MEET PIPPA
“I want you to choose this course because you want to be mentored by the best and want to become the best possible Pilates teacher. I will teach you how to finesse you own practice, how to deliver a Pilates class no intuitively with confidence not just from a manual. I will teach you how to see the body and the movements on a biomechanical level; how to apply a range of cues especially tactile techniques to improve your clients’ practice; how to see and handle different postures and body types in your group classes; how to get your clients engaging their bodies to feel things they have never felt before and get the most benefit out of your instruction.”
— Owen Hutchinson, Principal Pilates Trainer

Course Outline:

  • What makes Reformer Pilates unique 

  • Reformer Pilates in the landscape of Health services, Fitness, Wellness

  • History of Pilates & Joseph Pilates 

  • Pilates Principles

  • The evolution of Reformer Pilates into modern day science

  • The differentiators of this course and how it fits within the Pilates landscape 

  • Pilates in the UK and worldwide

  • What is expected of you the student 

  • How to apply yourself to become a credible and authentic teacher

  • Anatomy, physiology & biomechanics

  • Nervous system awareness & mind–body principles

  • Posture types & posture assessment

  • Reformer setup, safety & mechanics

  • Cueing styles + SoulSpace 5-step cueing method

  • Spring theory and resistance profiles

  • The 6 starting reformer postures

  • 70+ Reformer exercises with progressions, regressions, variations

  • How to modify for injuries, posture types and special populations

  • Private vs group Reformer teaching

  • Class planning, sequencing & transitions

  • Teaching flow, rhythm & pacing

  • Finding your teaching voice 

  • Becoming a paid Reformer teacher 

  • The business side of being a teacher

  • Self practice & self learning expectations

  • Ongoing training and mentoring 

Our Testimonials

  • I can highly recommend Owens Teacher Training courses. Owen has many years experience in both practicing & teaching Pilates, he is incredibly knowledgeable in the exercises & also the anatomy/physiology associated with them. He encourages his students to not just learn the exercises verbatim but to embrace creativity & question the “why” you would be teaching them. A well rounded, knowledgable, creative & fun course.

    Tracey Reilly

  • Owen's Reformer Teaching Training was a well rounded hands on course. We dove into not just the 'how' but the 'why' of each exercise, giving a more in depth and hands on approach to move forward with clients. In turn, giving us more confident teaching approach with a real focus on anatomy and alignment.

    Ella Macey

  • I recently did my Pilates Teacher Training at Ebb & Flow with Owen. After all the courses/qualifications I’ve completed - all of which were amazing - Owen at Ebb & Flow was by far the best. He’s energetic, knowledgable, motivational, different. After 13 years teaching Pilates I learnt so much from Owen. And the bonus is, Ebb & Flow / Soulspace provide a beautiful environment for teacher training too.

    Jo Ellis

  • I am so grateful for the opportunity to complete my Pilates training with Owen. After attending many classes with him it became clear that training with him would be the only option. He has such a strong understanding anatomy and movement which he puts in to every aspect of his teaching. Whilst training with him it has become clear that teaching Pilates is not just teaching a set of exercises but teaching movement to help people feel better in their bodies and understand them more

    Amelia Key

  • Throughout the training Owen focused deeply on modifications, progressions and explained why they would be beneficial to clients or not suitable. He taught us to watch closely to how people moving during class and what might be happening. Additionally his ability to cue verbally is exceptional as are his gentle hands on assists. After the course it has also been so helpful to receive continued support, mentorship and CPD from someone who is so passionate about Pilates.

    Rebecca Smith

 FAQs

  • We hear this a lot and it’s totally normal to feel fearful of signing up to a teacher training - let’s be honest it is a big leap for many of us! Your personal practice is nothing to stress about. We have students of all levels and all walks of life join us for our trainings; many students join for different reasons, each one just as valid as the next.

    What we can tell you is this training is not about doing the moves perfectly or being able to do every pose; it’s what you learn on the way down. You don’t need to be strong. You just need to have the willingness to learn about the practice, invest the time in yourself and we promise you’ll find a different kind of strength & flexibility on the other side!

    It’s not so much about how much preparation goes into your practice before the training, it’s more about making the space during the training for you to absorb as much as possible and to be consistent and dedicated in your approach. That way you really get the most out of your teacher training experience and learn to be truly present in all you do both on and off the mat. This is just the beginning of your journey and we’ve got your back!

  • We don't enrol lots of students and are dedicated to the education and mentorship of the ones we do. We offer you the best teacher trainers and connect you directly with your trainer for assistance during and after the course. You will never be left alone with your text books either because this course has over 100 hours of contact and we prioritise:

    • Passionate trainers with over 50 combined years or experience working in the pilates field not just a tutor but still teaching

    • Strong focus on teaching and content quality

    • Through passion, quality & connection we create a strong graduate community

    • Inclusion: the ‘pose’ is not the goal, and everyone is welcome

    • The opportunity to teacgh after you greaduate at Ebb&Flow studios through our Energing Teacher Program

  • There is 100 hours to complete online in the weeks we do not meet in person.

    The In-Person training days are 6 weekends of Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Each day is 6 hours long to give you time to practice before hand and absorb the information.

    You will need to complete 100 hours of self-directed learning which

    You will need to complete 100 houis of self

    • Be at least 18 years of age

    • Complete the online application for the course

    • Submit an application fee (deposit) of £750 (applied towards tuition, non-refundable)

    • Make payment of all fees no later than 12 weeks prior to the start of your course

    • Read through and agree to the terms and conditions (actionable through your application form)

    • Have an open mind and commit wholeheartedly to the training

    • A willingness to learn

  • The application fee is non-refundable except in the case of a declined application.

    This programme is non-refundable except in the event of unexpected medical circumstances (minus application fee/deposit).

    No refunds will be made after the programme start date.

  • Yes - and they’re interest free! Once you’ve made your initial deposit, we can set up a flexible payment plan.