IS OUR WORKFORCE READY FOR “REFORMER EXPLOSION”?

The fitness industry is on the brink of a seismic shift, says Lianne Clark, Head of Business Development at YMCA Awards. This is because of the huge growth in demand for Reformer Pilates classes

Over recent years, Pilates has seen steady growth, with Mat Pilates becoming a mainstream class in most facilities. However, the recent explosion of Pilates Reformer raises a critical question: is our workforce ready?

Market growth: a rapid surge

The UK Pilates and yoga studio market was valued at over £900 million in 2023, with 4,476 studios across the country. The market is now projected to reach a staggering £1bn by 2025. Online searches for Pilates skyrocketed by 124% from 2022 to 2023 and Yelp predicts Pilates will be one of the top wellness trends this year, with a 71% year-on-year increase in searches.

The demand for Pilates Reformer is undeniable. Pilates studios across London reported a 65-95% increase in class bookings over the past 12 months. Globally, the Pilates Reformer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.50% from 2024 to 2031. Major cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool are experiencing a 250% annual increase in the number of Pilates Group Reformer studios.

These statistics suggest that introducing Pilates Reformer classes could significantly boost health club membership and retention rates. However, more specific research is needed to provide concrete figures on membership increases as the market is only just starting to really take off.

Addressing the workforce gap The surge in demand for Pilates Reformer teachers in the UK has created an urgent need for quality training providers to deliver regulated qualifi cations. As the Mat Pilates market grew, so did the demand for regulated qualifi cations awarded by recognised Awarding Organisations.

These organisations develop qualifi cations for the register of regulated qualifi cations, which in England is overseen by Ofqual.

This ensures that the qualifications meet high standards of quality and reliability, making them a trusted mark of excellence. While unregulated provision can be good, the Ofqual logo on a certificate assures consumers and employers of its quality. Now, the same trend is happening rapidly for Pilates Reformer.

With the UK market projected to hit £1bn by 2025, the demand for Reformer instructors is surging – yet a significant workforce gap remains

YMCA Awards have anticipated this market need and offer a suite of regulated Pilates Reformer and Studio Reformer qualifications – the first of their kind, for training providers to deliver. Training providers must ensure that if they offer Pilates Reformer qualifications they are approved to deliver them.

Awarding organisations work closely with CIMSPA to develop workforce standards, ensuring we have high-quality instructors in growing markets. CIMSPA is actively working to address the gap in workforce standards as new physical activity trends take hold in health clubs and gyms across the UK.

Keeping up with demand

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Training providers and operators must recognise the urgency of this trend and invest in regulated qualifications and qualified instructors to ensure a well-prepared workforce. By doing so, you’ll not only meet the growing demand but also position your facility as a leader in the fitness industry.

Let’s ensure our workforce is ready to meet the demands of the Pilates Reformer explosion and continue to drive the fitness industry forward. For further guidance on finding an approved training provider, see: [www.ymcaawards.co.uk/centres/.](http://www.ymcaawards.co.uk/centres/) To become an approved training provider contact YMCA Awards: [awards.support@ymca.co.uk](mailto:awards.support@ymca.co.uk)