Teacher training · YMCA Awards certified
Train to teach, where teachers teach.
Parkstone Pilates Education is the teacher training arm of this studio: Level 3 Matwork plus Reformer, Tower and Wunda Chair apparatus training, taught by Dawn McCarron, a Level 4 educator, tutor and assessor. Blended learning with online study plus practical workshops here in Poole.
Matwork September 2026 intake, enrolment open now.
The pathways
Start here
Matwork Teacher Training
Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates (Matwork): the foundation of every Pilates teaching career, over around 6 months.
Course detailsThen the apparatus
Reformer, Tower & Wunda Chair
Apparatus modules priced individually, taken one at a time or all together, on the studio's own equipment.
Course detailsWhy train here
A real studio, a Level 4 educator.
Taught by Dawn McCarron
A fully comprehensive Level 4 Pilates educator, tutor and assessor with 34 years of industry experience leads every cohort.
YMCA Awards certified
Level 3 qualifications from an Ofqual regulated awarding body, recognised by studios, gyms and insurers across the UK and internationally.
Workshops on real apparatus
Practical weekends happen in this working studio on the same reformers, towers and chairs you will teach on.
FAQ
Common questions about teacher training
How do I become a Pilates instructor in the UK?
The recognised route is a Level 3 qualification in teaching Pilates from a YMCA Awards certified provider. Parkstone Pilates Education delivers Level 3 Matwork plus Reformer, Tower and Wunda Chair apparatus training at this studio in Poole.
How much does Pilates teacher training cost?
The Level 3 Matwork course is £1,495. Apparatus modules are priced individually (Reformer £1,495, Tower £650, Wunda Chair £650), or take Reformer, Tower and Wunda Chair together for £2,795. Every course can be paid across two interest-free instalments.
How long does the training take?
The Matwork course runs over around 6 months of blended learning: online study plus face-to-face practical workshops at the studio. The apparatus pathway adds around 3 months.
Do I need a Pilates qualification before I start?
No prior teaching qualification is needed for the Matwork course: a regular practice of around a year, or a fitness professional background, is the starting point. Apparatus training follows Level 3 Matwork or an equivalent qualification.
Is the qualification recognised internationally?
Yes. YMCA Awards Level 3 Pilates qualifications are widely recognised across the UK and accepted by studios, gyms and insurers internationally.
What can I do once I qualify?
Graduates teach in studios, gyms, leisure centres and online, employed and self-employed. Training happens in this working studio, so you learn where teaching actually happens.
Ready when you are