Pilates has become a hugely popular exercise choice for thousands of Australians but what is it?
Mat Pilates was originally created by Joseph Pilates and can be defined as the complete coordination of the body mind and spirit. Modern Pilates combines a mix of Joseph Pilates original exercises which fall under ‘Classical Pilates’ and ‘Contemporary Pilates’ which is everything that came after classical.
In a Pilates class you can expect to flow through a series of exercises that lengthen and strengthen the core, arms and legs.
Pilates exercises require the use of a mat and use your body weight as resistance. You may also incorporate the use of Pilates props which include dumbbells, foam roller, TheraBand, overball, tennis ball, magic circle, yoga blocks and even chairs!
Pilates exercises are low impact and can cater to all fitness levels from beginner to advanced levels.
Benefits of Mat Pilates?
✓ Learn the foundational Pilates Movements, terms, technique to build a strong foundation for future workouts
✓ Skills transfer into other Pilates styles/equipment. All Matwork exercises are directly related to equipment exercises in some way, meaning you’ll have an easier time transitioning to Reformer
✓ Full body toning + Fat burning: Even hours after the Mat Pilates class ends, you will enjoy continued calorie and fat burn.
✓ Reduced Stress through Mind Body Connection: Pilates Matwork focuses on breathwork and concentration and body awareness body awareness which will help you feel aligned, relaxed, and centred.
✓ Improved Posture: Matwork Pilates integrates functional movements that work the muscles in unison to improve posture and promote efficient movement.
✓ Enhanced Flexibility: Mat Pilates works on softly and effeciently lengthening muscles eccentrically through dynamic stretching. These targeted strengthening and stretching exercises help ease tight muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce tension throughout the body.
How Popular is Mat Pilates within the Fitness Industry?
Data from fitness class booking app ClassPass shows that Pilates is the fastest-growing exercise genre in Australia and New Zealand, experiencing 250% growth in the 12 months following September 2022. Its popularity is 2.8x times that of the next-best genre in Australia Yoga.
Earning Potential as a Mat Pilates Instructor?
Mat Pilates offers a low start-up cost with clients prepared to pay anywhere from $10-$20 per class. A simple schedule with groups of 6 or more clients in every class can easily yield upwards of $1500 a week and the average salary for a Pilates Instructor is $49.52 per hour in Australia.
According to widely accepted Government figures, and the Fitness Industry Award MA000094: The wage of a qualified Pilates Instructor is above Level 7 Full/Par time and Casual, illustrating that Pilates Instructors are paid more than corresponding earners in the Fitness Industry.
How to become a Mat Pilates Instructor?
Australian Fitness Academy offer a Pilates Matwork Instructor Course designed specifically for fitness and health professionals who have completed a Fitness Certification. Aswell as the option to add onto your Group Fitness/PT Course.
Upon completing this course, you’ll have developed the skills and knowledge to enable you to instruct Mat Pilates and assist clients in achieving their Pilates goals.
Sign up here:
