Pilates Mat Instructor Training

The Pilates Union UK Mat Pilates Instructor Training Course is the only internationally accredited Mat course in the world, with approval in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.  This training course covers basic, intermediate and advanced exercises from Joseph Pilates classic repertoire.

Train with the industry’s leading expert in Pilates

Director of Pilates Union UK and your tutor, Emma Newham, is one of the UK’s longest serving Pilates teachers and has been teaching Pilates to the public for almost three decades and running internationally accredited Pilates teacher training courses and Pilates workshops since 2007.

Emma brings a wealth of personal knowledge and industry experience to this comprehensive online course. Further education courses are available for the Pilates small equipment and props, so you can continue your Pilates journey with Emma, if you wish to continue learning

Emma is an international presenter for MindBody fitness and has delivered face to face and online training to students all over the globe. qualified Assessor for the Pilates Method as well as an Internal Quality Assurer (Internal Verifier), so she assesses the Assessors doing their assessing.  Her attention to detail is unparalleled.  Therefore, you can be assured of the highest quality training standard and education.

Instructor Training Venue

This is a fully in-person course, structured as follows:

Covering Anatomy & Physiology, Postural Assessment, and Lesson Planning

4 Practical Days (in person):
Focused on learning and teaching Mat Pilates exercises from the classical repertoire
Delivered over two weekends:
Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th September 2026
Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th September 2025

In addition to the in-person training, you’ll receive 8 months’ access to the Pilates Union UK online learning platform, featuring over 100 classic Mat Pilates exercises to support your learning and practice beyond the studio.

Studio location:
Studio Sol, 2 Sunniside Leigh
Cleadon
Sunderland
SR67XH

 

Prerequisites for Instructor Training

Any of the following qualifications are acceptable as a prerequisite:

– Pilates enthusiast
– Yoga teacher
– Personal Trainer
– Group Fitness Instructor (Gym instructor/ Exercise to Music)
– Dance Instructor

If you do not possess any of the relevant qualifications but have other industry teaching experience or similar qualifications (e.g. physiotherapist, dancer or some teaching experience), please email us and we can assess your suitability to take this course.

Accreditations

The teacher training course is accredited in the UK, Australia, Canada and USA.

In the UK, this training is endorsed by the awarding body, Active IQ.  It is also accredited by EMD UK.  This certification carries the following CPD points:

UK – Active IQ
Canada – CanFitPro – 4 FIS CEC’s
Australia – Australian Pilates Method Alliance – 13.5 CEC’s
Australia – Aus Active (Formerly Fitness Australia) – 14 CEC’s
USA – National Pilates Certification Program – NPCP (Formerly Pilates Method Alliance – PMA) – 24 CEC’s

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Costs

There are several costs involved in the Matwork Pilates Instructor Training. These include the course cost, training manual, exam assessment fee and these are all detailed in full below.

Matwork Pilates Course Fee

The cost of the Mat Pilates Instructor Training Course – including 7 full days of in-person training over two weekends, plus 8 months’ access to the online video library – is £1200.

Matwork Training Manual Fee

The cost of the Matwork Workout Method Manual is £26.99 (included in the price)

Exam Assessment Fee

The cost of your assessor’s fee to view your exam is £45 (not included and only payable upon video exam submission)

Option to Upgrade to Level 3

An additional fee of £450 will be charged (total cost £1650)

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Course Structure

Pilates Fundamentals and The Basics

Review of the basics, fundamentals  of Joseph Pilates method. Introduction to key principles, focusing on alignment, breathing, and core engagement. A selection of exercises promoting scapula stability and the fundamentals of good movement patterns are taught.

The Mobility and Stretch Series

A selection of exercises focused on stretching and flexibility, promoting lengthening of muscles and relaxation, including exercises such as Spine Stretch Forward and Mermaid.

The Core Strengthening Series

A selection of classic and contemporary mat exercises, aimed at strengthening the core muscles, including classic exercises such as The Hundred, Roll-Up, and Single Leg Stretch.

The Back Series

Exercises focusing on spinal extension and strength work from the key repertoire, including classic variations of Swan Dive, as well as more modern variations of mid back strengthening exercises, such as Dart and Diamond Press.  The focus is on postural improvement.

The Leg Series 

A selection from the Leg series, including exercises like Leg Circles, Shoulder Bridge, and Side Leg Lifts, designed to build lower body strength in the deep gluteals and leg muscles.

Upper Body Series

A selection of exercises focused on shoulder and arm strength, promoting scapula stability, including exercises such as Front Leg Pull and Twister.

 

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Assessments and Certification

In order to achieve a pass in this course, there are three assessments involved:

Assessment One – Theory Quiz

There are 15 theory questions, which we will discuss on the course as a group task.

Assessment Two – Progressive Programme Design

You must submit 3 x one hour lesson plans (week one, week five and week ten) in order to show progression.

Assessment Three – Practical 50 minute video exam

You must submit a video of you teaching a healthy adult on the mat.  Nine exercises will be chosen for you to teach, which we will select from your approved, week 5 lesson plan.

Please note that there is a £45 cost for your assessment. This covers your assessors time to watch your video and give you feedback. Upon successful completion of all assessments, you will receive the Pilates Union UK Certificate of Achievement to teach Pilates Mat

Re-Assessment

Candidates who refer any aspect of the assessment will be offered an opportunity to re-take that element in accordance with the terms and conditions and guidelines of the approved centre. Re-taking of any assessment may incur a fee. These fees are charged on a pro-rata basis

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Course Cancellation

No refunds are given under any circumstances, should you wish to cancel your place on a course. If cancellation takes place within 7 days of course commencement. A place on a future course will be offered to you.

In the event that a student needs to cancel, then the following options are available. 1) Transfer to another course where space available 2) Transfer your place to a colleague of your choice (provided they satisfy our prerequisites) 3) Transfer your funds to any of our online courses available on www.emmanewhamfitness.com.

In order to run any course, there has to be sufficient numbers of students in attendance. In the unlikely event that a course has to be cancelled by us, due to insufficient numbers or for any other reason, you will receive a full and complete refund or offered a place on another course if you wish.

Booking online does not ensure that the course will take place. Please check that your chosen course will run as normal before making any travel or accommodation arrangements.  All courses are confirmed 21 days before course commencement.

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What do our Clients say?

Below you can read some reviews from our wonderful clients and find out how we have helped them on their own fitness journey.

  • “Before taking the BarreConcept course, Emma was already very helpful and fast in replying to my e-mails. The course was very special and her passion for teaching the couse and her wide knowledge of pilates, yoga and mindfullness was something that added an extra to the course. She is a great teacher trainer. Emma was also very helpful after the course and she wants you to succeed. ”
    Namita Mathura - Fitness Instructor - Netherlands
  • “I have enrolled Emma's mat pilates and reformer pilates online course. I know her from her famous barre concept you tube but I did not know much about her method of Pilates teaching. When I started to the course, I am plesantly surprised with the quality of the video taught. Each exercise is through and very detailed and impressive. I have been already teaching pilates for a few years and participate in various pilates classes or workshops. I have never encounter this degree of teaching and it was eye opening. I wish I could keep her videos for life as a pilates bible!! Her course are also extremely reasonable price and high quality. I highly recommend her course.”
    Kazuyo Hamasaki - P.T - UK
  • “Where do I begin to praise Emma Newham. I have just completed her first rate Pilates Mat Online Course. Emma delivers this course with such in depth instruction. I watched the videos over and over again and learnt something new every time. Her knowledge and experience is second to none and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this course.”
    Alice Simpson - Dance and Fitness Industry Professional - UK
  • “Emma Newham is someone who truly enjoys and has a passion for sharing her Pilates knowledge. She has professionality, enthusiasm and care for your well being and also for your preparation as teacher. She is my BarreConcept teacher and she is so friendly and helpful even if long distance take us apart as I'm from Rome, Italy. When I have a doubt she promptly answer to my question. She is my best teacher.”
    Claudia Ciolli - Studio Owner - Italy
  • “Emma has helped me in so many ways. I've completed her detailed online courses and feel competent to teach the techniques and exercises straight away after the brilliant videos and instructions. Having had a few issues myself over my own business, and loosing some confidence, I contacted Emma who spent time out of her crazy schedule emailing me giving me support and advice which helped so much. She has given me a new lease of life teaching Pilates and made me believe in myself again. ”
    Meriel Tibbetts - Fitness Industry Instructor - UK
  • “I have known Emma for over a decade. Emma is a brilliant, articulate, passionate teacher who really cares about the people she teaches. Her dedication, knowledge and ability is second to none. The course I did with Emma was fun, exciting and full of new ways to teach which benefitted me greatly.”
    Chris Smith - Fitness Industry Instructor - Canada
  • 200-hour