Reformer Pilates has become increasingly popular across Australia. Pilates has been named the country’s leading fitness trend for 2027 in AUSactive’s annual fitness trends survey, climbing from third position in 2025. New studios are opening regularly, while gyms are incorporating Reformers into their facilities. Although this expansion is encouraging for the industry, the pace of growth may be exceeding the quality of instructor education.
Carla Sconce, a Reformer Pilates instructor and founder and CEO of HIIT Pilates Studio, has witnessed this shortfall firsthand. According to the Australian Sports Commission’s latest AusPlay data, Pilates is one of the fastest-growing physical activities among Australian adults, creating an increasing demand for instructors as more studios enter the market. However, Sconce believes the pressure to fill classes can sometimes take priority over securing properly qualified teachers. “Many instructors are coming out of weekend courses without the skill set to modify, progress, or adapt exercises safely,” she says.
The impact can extend well beyond an unsatisfactory class. Sconce explains that people who experience a poorly delivered session at a gym or studio may develop the impression that this is what Pilates involves and decide not to try it again. In more serious cases, inadequate instruction can increase the risk of injury, particularly because participants are performing movements while balancing on equipment that moves beneath them. “The mass production of Reformer classes risks giving Pilates a bad name,” she says.
Through the teacher training academy at HIIT Pilates Studio, Sconce hopes to help close this educational gap. The academy provides both face-to-face and online training, with an emphasis on more than simply learning individual exercises. Its programmes focus on teaching instructors how to structure and lead group Reformer sessions that are safe, practical, and focused on delivering results for participants with varying abilities. “There is a formula to teaching a great group class,” Sconce says. “It is a skill, and it can be taught.”
One of the industry’s most common misunderstandings, according to Sconce, is the belief that knowing how to perform the exercises automatically qualifies someone to teach them. Instructors must understand the purpose behind every movement, the muscles being engaged, and the intended outcomes. Although ready-made programmes and fitness apps can be useful resources, she cautions that relying too heavily on them can prevent instructors from adapting their sessions to the needs of those attending. “You should be programming for the people in your class, not simply playing someone else’s playlist,” she says.
Sconce explains that an effective class should develop progressively, with each movement building on the previous one. It begins with correct body positioning and a limited range of motion before gradually introducing greater movement and complexity. For instance, participants might progress from a forward lunge to a lunge combined with a bicep curl, before incorporating a pulse and rotation. This approach allows people with different fitness levels to participate in the same session while working within their individual capabilities. “Every person in that class should feel like a success,” she says.
She also emphasises that thoughtful sequencing is essential to a well-structured session. Classes should transition between different muscle groups, allowing sufficient recovery time instead of simply repeating a set number of repetitions on each side. Without a clear progression, clients may eventually reach a plateau, struggle to notice improvements, and lose motivation to continue attending. Sconce also encourages instructors to be intentional when incorporating props into their sessions. “Adding more props doesn’t make a class better,” she says. “Understanding how to use one well does.”
Social media presents another challenge in Sconce’s view. Less experienced instructors may attempt to recreate complicated exercise sequences seen in online videos, overlooking the fact that these demonstrations may have required numerous takes to achieve the desired result. Bringing such movements into group classes of 20 or 30 participants can create additional difficulties. She argues that many of these sequences are not developed with group instruction in mind. “Without understanding the why and the how, an exciting sequence can quickly become an unsafe one,” she says.
Sconce’s advice to gym operators and studio owners is to recognise that purchasing equipment should go hand in hand with properly educating the people responsible for using it with clients. She believes providing additional training for existing instructors can enhance the overall customer experience, encourage client loyalty, and help maintain a studio’s reputation. For those considering a career in the industry, she recommends prioritising comprehensive education rather than simply choosing the fastest route to qualification. “Choose the education that prepares you to teach real people safely,” she adds.
Ultimately, Sconce believes Reformer Pilates has the potential to benefit almost everyone, combining strength development, cardiovascular exercise, and a welcoming sense of community. Some of her clients are already in their 80s and continue to work on improving their strength. She would also like to see more people incorporate Pilates into their routines as a way of maintaining mobility and preventing injuries, rather than turning to it only when rehabilitation becomes necessary. In her opinion, the industry has considerable room to expand, but its long-term success will depend on ensuring that everyone who steps onto a Reformer receives a positive and worthwhile first experience.
