Balancing Life as a Pilates Instructor and Entrepreneur: Tips for Starting Your Own Studio

Wondering what a career in Pilates can really look like? Unsure of how to go about switching careers or industries, and looking for some reassurance that the risk is worth the reward? Hear from one of our very own graduates, Alana Lewis, who completed her APPI Pilates Instructor Certification with Unite Health a few years ago, and has since gone on to build a thriving career as an instructor, before recently opening her very own reformer Pilates studio, Bendi Pilates, in New Zealand!

Alana shares her candid, practical advice and words of wisdom for anyone wanting to embark on their own career in Pilates, and shares the story of how she progressed from working a corporate role for seven years, to establishing a career that brings her flexibility, freedom and fulfilment every single day! Here’s what she had to say…

What made you decide to complete your Pilates education with Unite Health? What stood out about the course compared to other providers?

I decided to pursue a career in Pilates after having my daughter, Corby. Pilates is something I’d done myself for eight years, and becoming an instructor was something I had always considered. I chose Unite Health for a few reasons, the main one being that the Unite Health certification appeared to be incredibly detailed in terms of what I was going to learn.

And I was right!

It also offered in-person training which conveniently was only a 10-minute walk from my house, and I was really impressed with the online webinars that I had attended prior to my course, which included success stories of instructors in the industry and a bit of detail about the course too.

Having finished your certification now, how did you find the experience? What were the pros and cons, and any highlights along the way?

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Unite Health. Unite Health speaks about how the course makes you "industry ready" after completion and I definitely agree with that. I felt super confident to teach after completing my final exam, and I was able to find a job instructing really easily. My main highlight is how completing this certification has allowed me to change industries and have a much better work-life balance, and given me the ability to spend lots of time with my daughter.

Did you meet any new friends, industry connections or other like-minded Pilates enthusiasts during your studies? If so, did this make the experience more enjoyable?

Yes, I made two really good friends who I’m still in contact with! All three of us are now qualified and teaching. Making friends during the course made the study and practise after the course (before the exam) much more enjoyable, as I had people to practise and study with.

Before you completed your certification, what were you doing for work? Did you want to pursue a career in the Pilates industry before you began studying?

I was in a corporate role, which did me well for seven years but I was really looking for a career change that allowed more flexibility. 

I knew Pilates was the right industry for me to move into because I LOVE it. I was attending reformer Pilates classes during my pregnancy, right up until the day before I gave birth! It kept me sane during those last weeks especially, and it was amazing for me postpartum. So I think it was a mixture of having such a great experience with Pilates, regardless of what stage of life I was going through, and just that I really love it, which made me want to become a teacher.

I’ve been able to spend the past two years at home with my daughter full-time whilst teaching Pilates, which has been the best thing for our family. My corporate role did not have flexibility with my working hours, which Pilates can offer me.

Since you finished your studies, what have you been up to in the world of PIlates? What led to you deciding to open your own studio?

I worked at two studios in Melbourne as a reformer teacher. I was teaching up to 20 classes per week and continued being a stay-at-home mum.

Three months ago I made the move back to my home country, New Zealand. I continued teaching reformer Pilates at another studio over here whilst the renovations on my own studio were being completed. We have just launched Bendi Pilates and it has gone so, so well - I had waitlisted classes from day one!

What are your plans for the future of your studio? Do you have a target customer, or a particular area of difference from other studios?

My new studio is in my home town in New Zealand [Plimmerton, Porirua] where currently there are no other reformer Pilates studios. I’m excited to bring reformer Pilates to the community and I hope to appeal to everyone! The studio is a small boutique studio with 10 reformer beds, and I purposely kept it to this size so myself and my instructors are able to provide a lot of attention and guidance for all clients.

Do you plan on remaining an active member of the Unite Health community, knowing that once you join us, you're a valued member for life? If so, what does this look like for you?

I love the Unite Health webinars and was lucky enough to be a guest speaker on one earlier in the year. I definitely plan to continue to be an active member [of the community]!

What words of advice would you give to someone considering a career in Pilates, but unsure whether the industry is too competitive for them to enter?

If you're on the fence about whether to do it or not - I say go for it! At the very least you're going to leave the course with a whole lot more knowledge and understanding of Pilates, which I personally found to be incredibly helpful for my own practice and learning. If, after you complete your course, you decide to teach, there are always studios looking for teachers! I had no trouble finding work, and if I wanted to teach more classes they were always available to me.

Would you recommend the Unite Health course to others? Why/why not? And do you think it's set you up well to begin your own career and business in the industry?

I definitely would recommend Unite Health. I was really impressed with the depth of knowledge all of the facilitators had, the course content and the level of detail we went into, as well as the confidence the APPI Pilates Instructor Certification gave me, allowing me to immediately get out there and start teaching.

You can follow along with Alana and the growth of her amazing new studio at @bendi.reformerpilates on Instagram, and watch as she continues going from strength to strength in her Pilates career!

If Alana’s journey from a corporate career to a successful, lucrative career in Pilates which gives her freedom, flexibility and fulfilment, and has allowed her to create her very own Pilates studio, book a chat with our course experts today! They’ll guide you through the best way to kickstart a career in the industry, helping you set yourself up for success in the future.

Or, you can enrol in our APPI Pilates Instructor Certification today to experience the same depth of quality, learning and confidence Alana enjoyed, which has been so instrumental in her career and success so far. Enjoy the same community support, experienced educators and comprehensive evidence-based course modules developed by leading expert physiotherapists, so you too feel prepared and excited to launch straight into your new career in Pilates from the day you complete your Certification! Enrol now!