Industry Growth Spurs Calls for Regulation
There have been increasing calls to formally regulate Reformer Pilates amid a significant boom in the industry, which has resulted in a shortage of qualified instructors.
Data indicates that the number of Reformer Pilates businesses in the UK increased by nearly 1,000 percent between 2024 and 2025.
This rapid expansion has led to many providers conducting intensive in-house training to meet demand. However, the teachers' association Pilates Foundations has warned that classes can be "potentially dangerous in the hands of someone who has had a short period of training," citing documented cases of injuries.
Rebecca Hosking, an instructor at Maison du Pilates in Bournemouth, advocates for stronger regulation within the industry.
Background and Popularity of Reformer Pilates
Reformer Pilates emphasizes controlled movements that target muscles often overlooked in conventional exercise routines.
While currently experiencing a surge in popularity, Reformer Pilates was originally developed by Joseph Pilates during World War I. He adapted hospital beds with springs to aid in patient rehabilitation.
Despite its growing appeal, including among celebrities such as Ed Sheeran, the Reformer Pilates industry remains unregulated.
Industry Perspectives on Training and Growth
Nathan Benjamin-Smith, owner of Reformer Pilates Bicester in Oxfordshire, commented on the situation:
"From my perspective, it's less about a shortage of instructors, and more about the rapid growth of the industry outpacing the availability of highly experienced, well-trained professionals.
As demand has increased, there's also been a rise in shorter training courses, which can vary significantly in depth and quality."
Hosking added that ongoing education is essential in the field, stating:
"There is always evidence evolving and changing and you never stop training as any exercise professional.
There's so many training providers now, you seem to be able to get a training in a very short amount of time.
I was definitely trained in an era where it was quite a remedial approach to teaching Pilates.
I feel that with the increased amount of reformer studios it's more of maybe an athletic approach which is probably coming over from across the waters... there's a lot of changes in the industry and I definitely feel that there's space for some more control and just to keep people safe."
Concerns Over Instructor Qualifications
Nicki Fussell, who teaches Reformer Pilates at The Barns in Reading, Barnsgrove Private Members Club, and Optimum Sports Injury Clinic in Hampshire, expressed concern about injuries resulting from under-qualified instructors.
She said:
"I'm a big believer in Pilates for everyone, but I would hope, which is what you do see, an inexperienced instructor often then goes and retrains with a good organisation because they feel out of their depth or they get told what to teach.
If they don't have the in-depth knowledge and they haven't got Pilates in their body, it's very hard to embrace it and to love it."
Fussell completed her Polestar exams over a two-year course involving more than 200 hours of work and has taught over 10,000 classes.
She stated that it would be "amazing" if minimum training standards were introduced and advised clients to verify their instructor's qualifications.
Benefits and Community Aspects of Reformer Pilates
When practiced safely, Reformer Pilates offers numerous benefits, including improved posture, increased flexibility, and full-body muscle toning.
Jessica Rowe, who has been practicing Reformer Pilates consistently for nearly a year, noted improvements in her strength and the social connections she has made.
She shared:
"It's the community here... it's nice to have a dedicated class that is so focused around your body for women."
