How Much Do Pilates Instructors Make?
Are you dreaming of a career as a Pilates instructor but wondering if it can pay the bills—or even create a lucrative lifestyle? You’re not alone. Pilates is more than just a fitness trend; it’s a fast-growing industry with opportunities to earn a comfortable income, whether you’re teaching group classes at a local studio, offering private sessions in high-end markets, or working in corporate franchise environments like Equinox and Club Pilates.
Having taught Pilates across the globe—from bustling studios in Bondi Beach, Australia, to corporate fitness centers in Orange County, California—I’ve seen just how much do Pilates instructors make. From hourly rates for group classes to bonuses for filling reformers, the earning potential as a Pilates instructor depends on factors like location, experience, and your ability to build client relationships.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how much do Pilates instructors make in different settings—whether you’re teaching at a boutique studio in Australia, a franchised studio like Club Pilates, or a corporate fitness giant like Equinox. I’ll share real numbers, personal experiences, and tips for maximizing your income. Let’s dive in and see how you can make a career out of your passion for Pilates!
How much do Pilates instructors make at Equinox?
How Much Do Pilates Instructors Make at Equinox?
I worked as a Pilates instructor at Equinox West Hollywood, and it gave me firsthand insight into how their pay structure works. At Equinox, you’re classified as an employee, which comes with both pros and cons.
Pros of Working at Equinox as a Pilates Instructor
One major advantage of being an employee is that your taxes are handled for you—no quarterly tax payments like independent contractors deal with. Plus, after three months, you’re eligible for health insurance and other corporate benefits, which can be a significant perk if you’re looking for stability.
Another big benefit is that you’re paid for all work-related activities at your hourly admin rate, not just for teaching. For example:
- Attending meetings or trainings? Paid.
- Arriving early to engage with potential clients? Paid.
- Administrative tasks like scheduling, following up with clients, or cleaning equipment? Paid.
This is a contrast to independent contractor roles where you only get paid for the time you’re actively teaching.
Pay Structure at Equinox
When you’re teaching Pilates at Equinox, you have a “Pilates teaching rate” for sessions and an hourly admin rate for all other job-related duties. Here’s a breakdown of the rates I received while working at Equinox under the EQX2 Mezzo contract in California:
- Private session: $34 per session
- Duet session: $23 per person
- Semi-private session: $21 per person
- Comp session (free trial): $17 per session
Additionally, Equinox offers incentives like bonuses for hitting certain milestones:
- Perform 30+ sessions in a pay period: $2.50 bonus per session
- Perform 40+ sessions in a pay period: Additional $3.50 bonus per session
You also receive bonuses for signing new clients:
- 6-session package: $20
- 12-session package: $30
- 24-session package: $60
- 48-session package: $70
Minimum Requirements and Sales Expectations
Equinox has minimum session requirements of 15 sessions per pay period. Falling short could lead to disciplinary action or even termination. This pressure to meet quotas is compounded by the sales-driven environment.
When a member signs up for a free trial session, you’re expected to convert that trial into a paying client. The type of package they purchase impacts your bonus. While some instructors thrive in this corporate structure, it wasn’t for me. I felt constant pressure to “make the sale,” and teaching sessions became stressful as I worried about hitting sales targets.
My Personal Experience at Equinox
Personally, I didn’t enjoy my time teaching at Equinox. While the benefits and structured pay were appealing, the intense focus on sales and quotas made the experience stressful. Walking around the gym floor to find leads or cold-calling members to schedule trial sessions felt more like a sales job than teaching Pilates. For instructors who love structure, stability, and benefits, Equinox might be a great fit. But if you’re a free spirit like me, you may find the environment too rigid and sales-driven.
How Much Do Club Pilates Instructors Make?
In 2017 I worked as a Pilates instructor at several Club Pilates studios in Orange County, and the pay structure is somewhat similar to Equinox. At Club Pilates, you’re classified as an hourly employee, not an independent contractor, which means your pay is determined by your teaching tier and how many reformers are booked during your class.
Pay Structure at Club Pilates
Club Pilates uses a tiered pay structure that’s influenced by your teaching level and class attendance. Here’s how it works:
- Base Pay: Each instructor has a base hourly rate tied to their teaching tier. For example, as a medium-tier teacher, my base pay was $24 per class. Honestly its been 7.5 years since I worked there I think this was my base pay.
- Additional Pay for Booked Reformers: For every reformer booked beyond the first 6 reformers, you earn an additional $3-$5 per reformer.
Let’s break that down:
- If your class has six reformers booked, you only earn your base pay of $24.
- If your class has 9 reformers booked, you only earn $36 (if your additional bonus rate was $4 per reformer)
- If all 12 reformers are booked, you could earn up to $48 per class (if your additional bonus rate was $4 per reformer)
This pay structure rewards instructors for filling their classes, making it a great opportunity if you’re skilled at building client relationships and creating a loyal following.
Class Levels and Teaching Expectations
Club Pilates has a structured class format with levels ranging from Level 1 (beginner) Level 1.5 to Level 2 (advanced) etc. You’re expected to teach according to the specific level of the class, which requires adapting your teaching style to suit different client needs. While this structure ensures consistency across all Club Pilates studios, it also means you’ll need to familiarize yourself with their specific curriculum and teaching methods.
Most instructors teach back-to-back classes, typically 2-5 in a row. The schedule can be demanding, but if you love teaching and connecting with clients, it’s manageable.
Tips for Maximizing Earnings
If you want to maximize your earnings at Club Pilates, it really comes down to how well you connect with your clients and fill your classes. Here are a few tips that worked for me:
- Build Relationships: Learn your clients’ names, ask about their goals, and make an effort to connect. A personal touch makes clients more likely to return to your classes.
- Strategic Scheduling: Weekend classes (like Saturday and Sunday mornings) tend to sell out easily, while midweek midday slots (like Wednesdays at noon) might be harder to fill. On average, though, your classes will likely balance out over the pay period.
- Leverage Free Classes: Club Pilates offers a free trial class for new clients. If you teach these and a client signs up for a package, you may receive a bonus for closing the sale.
- Book Privates: Make that connection and book that private client before or after your reformer group class .
Corporate Vibes with a Small Business Twist
The vibe at Club Pilates is a unique mix of corporate and small business. Each studio is independently owned and franchised, which means you get the personal touch of a small business owner but still adhere to corporate guidelines for marketing, teaching styles, and even uniforms.
While the corporate structure ensures consistency and professional standards, the independent ownership means that your experience may vary depending on the studio owner. The studio owners I worked for were wonderful and had expanded to multiple locations, which shows that business is booming!
My Personal Experience
I started at Club Pilates in 2017 after completing their Bridge Teacher Training, which I loved. I enjoy learning, and the program gave me valuable tools to teach within their structured format. how much do Pilates instructors make.
Overall, I found my time at Club Pilates to be enjoyable. The pay structure was fair, and the studio owners I worked with were kind and supportive. However, the corporate elements—like teaching specific styles and adhering to marketing guidelines—may not appeal to instructors who prefer more freedom in their teaching. For me, the structured environment was a good fit at the time, but then after a couple months it felt a bit cookie cutter and I wanted to teach a more athletic / strength style of Pilates. It all depends on your personal preferences on how much do Pilates instructors make.
Final Thoughts
Club Pilates can be a great option for Pilates instructors who thrive in a structured, professional environment with built-in marketing and client flow. While your pay ultimately depends on your tier and how many reformers you fill, it’s easy to make a decent income if you’re willing to connect with clients and put in the effort. Whether you’re just starting your teaching journey or looking for a reliable studio environment, Club Pilates offers a balance of stability and opportunity—with just a hint of corporate structure.
How Much Do Pilates Instructors Make in Australia?
When I worked as a Pilates instructor in Bondi Beach, Sydney, I had the opportunity to teach at Balance Moves, a well-known and reputable studio in the area. I loved my time there, but the experience gave me a deep understanding of what it takes to build a successful Pilates career in Australia.
At Balance Moves, I taught a mix of classes and privates, including:
- Mat Pilates classes
- Barre Attack group classes
- Prenatal Pilates group classes
- Reformer group classes
- Private reformer and tower sessions
Here’s how much I was paid:
- Mat and barre group classes: AUD $60 per class
- Group Pilates reformer classes: AUD $50 per class
- Private sessions: AUD $40 per session
- Semi-private sessions: AUD $45 per session
Building a Full Schedule in Australia
When I started teaching, I didn’t have a full schedule of group classes or private clients. I had to work hard to build my clientele and fill my calendar. This included navigating high and low seasons, which significantly impacted attendance and income. By the end of the year, though, I was working six days a week with a full schedule of private clients and group classes.
One thing I appreciated was having a set number of group classes per week, which provided consistent, predictable income while I built my private client base.
The Challenges of Teaching Pilates in Australia
Teaching at Balance Moves wasn’t without its challenges. Sometimes, I was a one-woman show—checking in clients, teaching classes, ringing up package sales, and turning the studio around for the next class, often with back-to-back sessions.
I’ll never forget the first time I had 40 women rushing in and out of the studio in a five-minute window. It was overwhelming, but I eventually adapted. If the studio owner didn’t mind if things weren’t 100% perfect, why should I? I was only one person. Learning to manage the chaos became part of the job.
Factors That Helped Me Earn More
Several factors made it possible for me to earn a good income at Balance Moves:
- Location: The studio’s prime location in Bondi Beach, an affluent and high-demand area, guaranteed a steady flow of clients.
- Reputation: Balance Moves had been established for over a decade and had a loyal client base.
- Supportive Ownership: The studio owner worked full-time teaching and ran the business with a laid-back approach. She gave me the freedom to manage my schedule and teach my way, which suited my personality perfectly.
By the end of my time there, I was earning a reliable income from a mix of group classes and private clients.
Is Teaching Pilates in Australia Right for You?
If you’re the type of instructor who thrives on freedom and flexibility, working at a studio like Balance Moves can be a dream. The lack of rigid structure, systems, and workflows worked for me, but for instructors who prefer a more organized environment, it might feel like chaos. If you need clear expectations and detailed processes, this type of setup might not be for you—LOL!
Final Thoughts
Working as a Pilates instructor in Australia can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you’re teaching in a high-demand location like Bondi Beach. While it takes effort to build your schedule and navigate seasonal fluctuations, the earning potential is there if you’re willing to put in the work.
For me, the combination of freedom, a supportive studio, and a great location made it one of the most enjoyable experiences in my career. But as always, your experience will depend on your personality, goals, and the studio you choose to work with.
How Much Do Pilates Instructors Make (Conclusion)
The earning potential as a Pilates instructor can vary widely, but so do the working environments. Whether you’re teaching at a boutique studio, a corporate franchise, or running your own business, it’s essential to align your career path with your personality and preferences. Are you someone who thrives on freedom and flexibility, happy to navigate the unpredictable waters of studio ownership or freelancing? Or do you prefer the structure and stability of being an employee with benefits, set hours, and HR support?
Consider your comfort level with taxes and administrative tasks, too. If the idea of quarterly tax payments and navigating client bookings as a self-employed instructor makes your head spin, a corporate setup like Equinox or Club Pilates might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you’re confident in managing your own finances and want more control over your schedule, going independent could offer the freedom you crave.
And yes, let’s be real—can you handle the unpredictability of a volatile Pilates studio owner who might lose their temper and leave you sobbing in your car, wondering if this is the right career for you? If job security and workplace accountability matter, choosing an environment with strong systems in place might save you that heartbreak.
Ultimately, your Pilates career is what you make of it and how much do Pilates instructors make.. is up to you. With the right fit, you can create a sustainable and rewarding lifestyle doing what you love. Take a moment to reflect on your goals, your personality, and what you need to feel secure and successful in this industry. The path you choose should align not just with your earning potential but with your peace of mind.
