Bristol REFORMER TEACHER TRAINING
Teach Reformer Pilates with modern, real-world training that prepares you to lead powerful, in-demand classes, confidently and professionally with an internationally recognised Reformer certification from Move Union.
Reformer Pilates is booming
AND STUDIOS NEED TEACHERS
Reformer Pilates is one of the most requested and rewarding classes to teach. But you don’t want a course that’s outdated, takes years (too long), or days (too short) to complete.
This course is just right.
We’ve built a training that’s boutique studio-relevant, confidence-building, and grounded in the practical skills you’ll actually need to thrive—whether you're teaching part-time or going all-in.
Become a Confident Reformer Pilates Instructor
this could be YOU
create your own path
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studio success
Want to launch your own studio and teach your way, your style? This course will get you started
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travel & teach
Take your skills with you with a job that’s in demand all over the globe, and can be done anywhere.
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CAREER CHANGE
Leave the 9-5 behind and create a lifestyle you love. Side hustle, or full time switch. The choice is yours.
everything YOU need to TEACH REFORMER
01
Not just a quickie course (and not an expensive and lengthy fully comprehensive program either). You get a grounding in true Pilates, then we put a dynamic, contemporary twist on it. This is the training you’ve been waiting for.
02
Expert support, mentorship & guidance through your program and after your graduate. You’ll transition to teaching like a duck to water.
03
Practical experience with real people, actually putting what you learn into practice so you can hit the ground running the minute you graduate. No guess work or feeling like you’re not ready.
ready for your dream job?
WE’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN
Here's HOWit works:
01
lay the foundations
Before your live weekends begin, you'll complete Pilates Principles & Fundamentals and Anatomy online, at your own pace. This gives you the grounding you need to get the most out of your in-person training - and means your weekends are spent doing, not sitting through theory.
(If you don’t already have a mat qualification, you’ll also complete the online Mat Essentials program)
02
WEEKEND 1: BEGINNER REPERTOIRE
Your first live training weekend covers the full beginner Reformer repertoire. You'll learn how to break down, cue, modify and sequence beginner classes with confidence - building the foundation of your teaching practice.
03
WEEKEND 2:INTERMEDIATE REPERTOIRE
Your second live weekend takes you into intermediate repertoire. By the end of this weekend, you'll be equipped to teach across both levels - confidently leading classes for a range of clients in any setting.
04
COMPLETE YOUR HOURS
Alongside your live training, you'll complete:
20 hours of class participation (taking classes as a client)
20 hours of class observation (via our online portal, on your schedule)
10 hours of practice teaching (supported in your host studio, on your schedule)
This is where theory becomes real. You'll leave with genuine hands-on experience before you ever stand at the front of a paid class.
05
submit YOUR EXAM
Once your hours are complete, you'll film & submit your assessment covering the content of Weekends 1 and 2. Pass, and you're a certified Reformer Pilates Instructor.
You can choose to submit your exam either before or after the advanced weekend (see the next section).
06
WEEKEND 3: ADVANCED REFORMER
Your Advanced Reformer weekend is included in your programme and you’ll be able to book your preferred date on sign up. This is a separate certification weekend - and one that sets you apart from most instructors out there. (More on this below.) You'll leave this programme qualified to teach across all levels - beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
about the ADVANCED TRAINING
WHY TWO CERTIFICATIONS IN ONE PROGRAM?
Your Advanced Reformer certification is included in your programme - not as an afterthought, but because we believe every instructor we train should be equipped to take their students all the way.
It's a full weekend of live, hands-on training dedicated entirely to advanced Reformer repertoire. What makes it different to the core weekends is how it's assessed: rather than a practical exam, you'll submit a written advanced class plan. You'll show us you understand how to intelligently build a class toward advanced work - how to progress clients safely, how to sequence effectively, and how to teach movements EVEN IF you may never perform them yourself.
Which brings us to the thing nobody talks about.
Many instructors - including many highly experienced ones - cannot perform every advanced Reformer exercise themselves. And that's completely fine. Teaching advanced Reformer is not about demonstrating every movement. It's about understanding how the body gets there. How to create the conditions for your more capable clients to progress. How to cue, modify, and build sequences that challenge without risking injury.
You don't need to have practised Reformer for years to teach this. You don't need to be able to do it yourself. You need to know how to teach it - and that's exactly what this weekend covers.
The Advanced weekend runs twice a year. On sign up you’ll be send a link to book your preferred dates. The only requirement is that you complete it within a year.
With our program you'll graduate with two certifications. And in a market where most instructors only hold one, that matters.
EXPERIENCE from our students
rachel
SCALLAN
“I had the best experience training with Move Union! The whole team were absolutely amazing—so knowledgeable, supportive, and passionate. Ajia has a real gift for teaching; she explains everything with such clarity and enthusiasm.”
Hebe
LITTLEWOOD
“Training with Move Union was so insightful, the team have so much experience and create an atmosphere where you feel supported whilst you’re training but also after you graduate. I couldn’t recommend them enough!”
kitty
DREWETT
“This program taught me a great foundation, as well as built on existing knowledge to a deep level of understanding. I really loved the course and will highly recommend it to everyone I know who is interested in becoming a Pilates instructor.”
this is for you if
01
You’re a Mat Pilates instructor, fitness, or movement professional looking to expand into dynamic reformer Pilates.
02
You’re don’t yet have any Pilates or fitness qualifications or certifications but you’ve fallen in love with Reformer and have been practicing consistently. (We have a path for you too).
03
You’re opening or running a studio and you want to build a reformer instructor team that’s on the same page. See our studio owners page.
this isn’t for you if
01
You’re looking for a reformer program designed to work specifically with injuries and rehabilitation. We cover common client issues and modifications, but we aren’t a dedicated rehab-focused program.
02
You’re looking to teach without doing the practice hours. We never send our students out without hours of hands-on experience.
03
You’re not interested in learning the system of Pilates alongside what it takes to create stand-out Reformer Pilates classes.
ready to stand at the front?
sneak
PEEK
Find out what’s inside the Move Union Reformer Pilates Instructor Training in Bristol
flexible pricing that works for you
Pay In Full
one-time payment
£1799
You will receive:
Instant access to the online portal
PDF manual to keep
Beginner & Intermediate live training days ( 2 weekends)
Advanced Reformer program (1 weekend)
Mentorship & support
Two certifications: Reformer Instructor & Advanced Reformer Instructor
*EARLYBIRD PRICING*
Payment plan
6 monthly payments of
£330
You will receive:
Instant access to the online portal
PDF manual to keep
Beginner & Intermediate live training days ( 2 weekends)
Advanced Reformer program (1 weekend)
Mentorship & support
Two certifications: Reformer Instructor & Advanced Reformer Instructor
*PAYMENT PLAN DETAILS*
Payment plans must be completed before certification can be awarded.
Don’t have a mat certification YET? add mat essentials
If you’re not mat certified (we accept mat certifications from any provider), then you can still take this program. On check out, simply add our Mat Essentials course, which is entirely online and bridges the gap between mat and reformer, giving you the mat foundations you need to take onto the reformer. This is a self-paced course to be completed prior to your training.
a look into THE PROGRAM
01. Pilates Principles and Fundamentals
We’ve put everything you need to know about the Pilates system and fundamentals into a pre-course training so that you you can teach Reformer, even if you don’t have a Mat Pilates certification. If you have a prior mat certification this module is optional.
02. Anatomy FUNDAMENTALS
Anatomy and physiology so you can truly understand what’s happening in the body, the WHY behind the exercises, and how to create safe, effective classes.
This is taught via an online study prior to your training, so you can take it at your own pace.
03. IN PERSON TRAINING
weekend 1 & 2 - BEGINNER & intermediate repertoire
weekend 3 advanced certification
Each of the core movements will be taught, that align with what we know as a ‘traditional’ Pilates class. You’ll have a solid foundation recognised by any studio that you wish to teach in. Then, we’ll give you an innovative repertoire for a dynamic, modern and creative approach. You’ll learn options for all levels from beginners to intermediate so that you can cater to all levels. The advanced reformer program is included in your plan, and can be booked at a future date within 1 year. This consists of an extra weekend of hands-on learning.
04. teaching skills
Learn how to sequence classes and manage groups effectively, including how to monitor and modify moves and series as you go so that everyone feels like they’re a star in your class. You’ll learn the art of cueing, and hands on adjustments so that you can lead a class with confidence, even if you’ve never done this before.
05. pre & postnatal considertions
Learn the essentials of working with pre and postnatal clients in this starter module, designed to allow you to work safely with mixed-class, while being prepared for common issues.
06. business skills
We’ll share our networking tips, and how to get started as an instructor so you can teach as soon as possible after your course. We’ll give you insights into how to succeed at auditions or with studio interviews, and where to gain experience when you’re starting out.
frequently asked questions
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Prior Mat Pilates certification (any provider, this does not need to be a UK Level 3 mat course.)
OR
If you don’t have a mat certification then you can bolt on our Mat Essentials online program that will give you the foundational knowledge needed for reformer, but will not provide a full mat certification.
This is a short online course (approx 1 day to complete) that you can study at your own pace.
You should have taken reformer classes prior to this course so you’re familiar with the apparatus. -
After your live training dates you have up to 6 months to complete your practice and observation hours, and submit your assessment video. Extensions are available on request for an additional fee
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Our training is dynamic reformer course that blends classical and innovative exercises, created for today’s boutique studios.
The Move Union style is aimed at group reformer class instructors (but can equally be used for private clients). Unlike some other courses, it's not physio or rehab focused, and we base our training around creative, contemporary programming that also gives you the classical foundations from which it's derived. Think of it as the best of both worlds.
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If you don’t have a mat certification then you can bolt on our Mat Essentials online program that will give you the foundational knowledge needed for reformer, but will not provide a full mat certification.
This is a short online course (approx 1 day to complete) that you can study at your own pace.
While you don’t currently need to be Mat certified to teach, those who have taken Mat Pilates will find some of the Reformer course more familiar as they repeat concepts, and may increase your opportunities and credibility as an instructor.
To take the Reformer program you will need to be either:
a) Mat Pilates certified (any provider, we do not require a Level 3 course): or
b) Able to take our Mat Essentials module online prior to attending the reformer training and have Reformer Pilates experience
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You’ll need to complete 20 hours of class participation, 20 hours of class observations (online) and 10 practice teaching hours. You will take your class observations online via our portal, and then complete your own practice hours by taking classes at any studio. Our host studios often offer bundles to help with this. Practice teaching hours are supported by our host studios who can help arrange student teaching opportunities.
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We offer a 6 month payment plan. Certifications are issued when all payments are complete if using the 6 month option. Early payment is possible. See our enrolment page and select the plan that works best for you.
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When you’re ready you’ll submit your class plan and a video of you teaching to at least 3 students. If you need to refilm it, you can! Full guidance is given on meeting the test-out criteria.
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You’ll most likely need a First Aid certificate and your own insurance. Some studios will require a DBS check but this is not mandatory currently. We work with insurance providers who will offer you cover as a trainee and a graduate of the program.
have any other questions?
contact us and we’ll be happy to answer.
Upcoming REFORMER COURSES
BRISTOL | 01 JUN- 21 Jun 2026
Hosted at M.O Pilates, Northpoint House, Princes Wharf, Bristol BS1 4RN
Live Weekends: Jun 6, 7, 20, 21 | Sat & Sun 12pm-7pm
BRISTOL | 10 OCT - 08 NOV 2026
Hosted at M.O Pilates, Northpoint House, Princes Wharf, Bristol BS1 4RN
Live Weekends: Oct 24-25, Nov 7-8 | Sat & Sun 12pm-7pm
Next Advanced weekend: Dec 5, 6 | Sat & Sun 12pm-7pm
BRISTOL | 06 FEB - 21 FEB 2027
Hosted at M.O Pilates, Northpoint House, Princes Wharf, Bristol BS1 4RN
Live Weekends: Feb 6, 7, 20, 21 | Sat & Sun 12pm-7pm
Next Advanced weekend: Mar 13, 14 | Sat & Sun 12pm-7pm
meet your Pilates mentor AJIA LEE FORSTER
FOUNDER & PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF MOVE UNION
Ajia Lee Forster has been a prominent figure in the fitness industry for nearly 20 years. Raised in a fitness-oriented family and trained as a dancer, she was drawn to the dynamic practices of Pilates.
As a comprehensively trained Pilates Instructor, Yoga Teacher, and Fitness Instructor, Ajia has worked with a range of individuals throughout many modalities striving for peak performance.
Ajia is a highly respected Pilates Master Trainer and Teacher Trainer, known for her work with elite athletes, celebrities, and high-level business professionals. She has received multiple awards for her contributions to Pilates education and has written and delivered numerous training programs.
Inducted to teach the Equinox Pilates Teacher Training in London, she also has a strong background delivering teacher training programs in Canada and the UK.
As Director of Pilates Education at Move Union, she has developed and delivered world-class teacher training programs, both in-person and online.Her career is defined by a deep commitment to mentoring and shaping the next generation of Pilates instructors.
unsure about how this works?
Just speak to us, we’re here to help you make the right decision for you. No pressure, no sales-push, just straight-forward advice.