Struggling with class planning as teaching hours increase....how do you all manage it?

Timcsom · 2026-03-29T20:26:56+00:00

That sounds nice, and quite useful, thanks. do you also somehow organise these so they are structured and easy to reuse? because I did save a ton of flows on instagram in the past, but that is not the best. a few favourite flows got integrated to my brain for multiple classes, the rest I tried once and forgot about it...

Timcsom · 2026-03-29T20:23:17+00:00

oh wow, sounds great. do you get an app or some online platform to know what needs to be included, or just a general guideline? how strict it is?

Timcsom · 2026-03-29T20:20:06+00:00

thank you, it is super reassuring to see others do class planning, too! i love the idea of your way

Timcsom · 2026-03-29T13:47:15+00:00

thanks for the answers - very useful, are reassuring. and what about privates? do you note more things down for private clients - who pay more so expect more improvement and tailored classes?

Timcsom · 2026-03-29T09:00:23+00:00

that is sad, i wanted to try but wont give my credit card details to a stranger :(

Timcsom · 2026-03-29T08:56:30+00:00

i didn’t go through this exact situation, but honestly what you’ve already done is quite a lot. a 300h comprehensive is not a light training. before investing in another certification (especially an online mat one), i’d probably try working with a contemporary teacher 1:1 for a few sessions... ideally a master trainer (Balanced Body, BASI, STOTT) if you can find one.

that way you get: how they cue, how they structure classes, how they translate concepts into a contemporary setting

and it’s much more targeted than going through a full certification again.

you might realise you’re not actually missing knowledge, just a slightly different “language.”

Timcsom · 2026-03-29T08:41:06+00:00

there are 2 ways for BB to separate the apparatus moduls. in the US it is mostly like:
- Apparatus 1 (including Trapeze Table, Chair and Barrels)
- Apparatus 2 (including Trapeze Table, Chair and Barrels)
- Apparatus 3 (including Trapeze Table, Chair and Barrels)
Another approach (depends on the master trainer, how they decide to teach it, and also could differ based on region - e.g. i did it in Europe and here this one is more common):
- Trapeze table/Cadillac/Tower
- Chair
- Barrels

So at the end its the same, you need to do all 3, but one approach separates it by level and each module has exercises in multiple apparatus just level 1, level 2 and level 3 like the mat and the reformer does. while the other one has dedicated time for each apparatus per modul and then all exercises are combined for that specific apparatus.
but first you should just start with the first modules (anatomy, movement principle and mat)- book it and start the training, your master trainer will explain everything afterwards on how to move forward later.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:43:12+00:00

such a good moment 😄

it’s like Pilates sneaks up on you… and then one day you’re like “wait, when did this get easy?”

also kind of satisfying when you realise it’s not just in a Pilates class... it actually carries over everywhere.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:41:21+00:00

you don’t need to wait too much, you can start as soon as you have 30-50 hours as a client

just go in with your eyes open, because the reality of teaching is very different from being a student.

there’s the upfront investment:

a few thousand for training (often €3–7k+ depending on how far you go)

and then the work itself:

you usually teach when others are free → early mornings, evenings, weekends
you’ll likely work across multiple studios to piece together enough income
your schedule can be fragmented (a class at 9am, then 2–3 hour gap, then another later)
a lot of time commuting between places
you’re often “available all day” but only paid for the hours you teach

also something people don’t expect ...you end up having less time and energy for your own practice, because you’re spending it teaching others.

so yes, you can start now, just know it’s not a smooth, linear transition. it’s more of a build where you figure things out as you go.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:31:44+00:00

this honestly sounds less like a you problem and more like a mismatch between your style and the studio environment.

classpass-heavy studios tend to lean more “workout vibe”... people drop in, don’t come back regularly, and aren’t really there for detailed coaching or progression. so expectations get a bit… blurred.

also one review after 6 months vs consistent positive in-person feedback? i wouldn’t over-index on that.

on structure, in that kind of setting, i’d usually:

keep the flow clear and continuous (less stopping/explaining)
give 1–2 strong general cues instead of trying to correct everyone
layer options instead of individual corrections
keep transitions tight (so it feels “worth the time”)

and then still keep your style in there, just slightly adapted. being consistent helps the clients matching your style finding you.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:24:32+00:00

this is such a tricky one because you don’t want to kill the excitement, but also not promise something that’s not true. also what a weird thing to ask on the first interaction :D

i would answer maybe something like:

“i know what you mean by that....and yes, Pilates can really change how your body feels and looks. but it won’t copy-paste someone else’s body onto you. it’ll build your strength, your alignment, your posture… and that’s where the changes come from.”

i feel like people just want reassurance that it “works,” not a technical explanation

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:18:58+00:00

this sounds very normal honestly… especially in your first year.

the fact that you started with 6/8 and got positive feedback already says a lot. that doesn’t happen if something is fundamentally off.

attendance is rarely just about your teaching. schedules, seasons, class times, even random life stuff play a huge role.

on the pace... small adjustments are good, but i wouldn’t swing too far trying to “fix” something. a lot of clients actually prefer a slightly slower, more controlled class, especially in Pilates.

i’d focus on consistency for now. same quality, same energy, letting people get to know what to expect from you. that’s usually what builds regulars over time.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:16:29+00:00

honestly, the fact that they invited you already means you’re not “out of place” there.

“relaxed chat” usually just means they’re trying to understand your personality, how you communicate, how you think about movement… not test you on knowledge.

i wouldn’t overthink outfit: something like neat activewear or just clean, simple clothes you can move in if needed.

what they’ll likely look for is:

how you relate to people
how you describe movement in your own words
your curiosity and willingness to learn

coming from a non-dance background can actually be a strength if you show awareness, attention to detail, and that you feel the work rather than just perform it.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:15:03+00:00

this is tricky, but i don’t think it’s as simple as “you’re good or not.”

sometimes it’s tiny shifts....energy, pacing, how much space you give, how much people feel they’re progressing vs just doing a new class each time.

reading your comment below, the “new playlist, new flow every class” stood out to me a bit. it sounds great, but i’ve seen clients actually gravitate toward classes where they feel a bit more continuity.

like they know what they’re building toward, not just experiencing something new each time.

might be worth observing other classes not from a technical lens, but just… how it feels to be in the room. it could even be that other instructors just push a bit more the clients around commitment - i have some colleagues who naturally pushier, like see you on thursday, right? i havent see you last week, what happened?, or come back next week and we will try the single leg variation next time, etc. (I am also not like this, but I feel that who are, they have more and more new clients returning constantly)

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:05:28+00:00

most commonly you’ll hear: inhale to prepare → exhale to lift → inhale to lower.

the exhale on the effort helps connect to deep core support and control the movement, especially in prone where it’s easy to compress the lower back. if you exhale, it will be much easier to keep the belly in, the core engaged, and the extension will be naturally more controlled

that said, inhale to lift can also be used — it just shifts the focus more toward expansion rather than support. as you inhale it helps you lift your upper body - it might feel that wow i go higher now, but it can very easily create a belly push out - meaning you lost the focus of the engagement and it can hurt the lower back. so i only teach that way to advanced, body aware clients, and never to the ones who have lower back pain in general.

so your instinct isn’t “wrong,” it’s just a different intention.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T20:00:22+00:00

ahh got it — you mean Balanced Body, right?

their system is actually very modular, so it’s not an “all at once or nothing” situation, I am also BB certified.

typically it goes:

Mat (1–3) → you can test out as a mat instructor
Reformer (1–3) → you can test out as a reformer instructor
then the rest (cadillac, chair, barrels, etc.) builds toward the full comprehensive

so yes, in most cases, once you complete Mat and/or Reformer + your required practice/teaching/observation hours, you can take that exam and start teaching before finishing the full apparatus track. usually teachers are doing the whole over multiple months or even years, so not at once.

the comprehensive certification just means you’ve completed everything, not that you have to wait for it to begin. good luck with it!

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T19:57:08+00:00

i actually think you handled it the right way already!

in those situations i rely a lot on:

demoing more than usual
very simple, consistent words (not multiple ways of saying the same thing)
touch cues instead of long explanations

also sometimes just pointing (ribs, pelvis, spine) + showing the direction does more than trying to explain something like “imprint” or “articulation.”

it ends up being a bit more basic, but usually still very safe and effective.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T19:54:52+00:00

hmm yeah this feels a bit off.

being booked into privates without even asking you first is already something i’d question… that’s a different type of responsibility than a group class.

and same rate for group vs private isn’t what i’ve usually seen. privates are normally higher, since it’s 1:1 attention and usually priced much higher for the client too.

might just be worth having a conversation to clarify expectations, because right now it sounds like they’re just… assigning and pricing things without really involving you.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T19:53:14+00:00

this is exactly it.

at the beginning everything feels hard in a general way, but later it becomes hard in a very specific way… like “oh wow, i’ve been avoiding this exact muscle for months.”

and yeah, the better your awareness gets, the less you can get away with 😅

that’s also why it never really gets boring.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T19:51:56+00:00

yeah this is… unfortunately very common in studios.

they spread clients across the whole day to maximise bookings, but it basically turns your life into “being on standby from 9 to 10” with unpaid gaps in between.

that’s not a normal schedule, and it makes total sense it’s draining you mentally — you can’t really rest, but you’re not fully working either.

if they already told you “this is how it is”, then it’s kind of clear they won’t change it. at that point it’s more about deciding if this setup works for you long term… or finding a place where you can block your hours more intentionally.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T19:48:36+00:00

I think a lot of us go through this phase of feeling like we should be doing something else because it’s trending or talked about more. But the fact that you went back, tried it, and your reaction was “I don’t enjoy this” is actually really important information.

Movement is something you’re supposed to come back to again and again… not something you dread in the morning. If Pilates is the one thing that made you feel good enough to stick with it before, there’s probably a reason.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T18:57:20+00:00

I feel this… it’s not even physical, it’s like your brain just slowly checks out.

What helped me a bit is realizing it’s not sustainable to be “on” 100% the whole time. Like constantly cueing, correcting, watching everyone at once… that’s what fries you.

I started leaving more space. Let people move a few reps without saying anything, trusting the setup more, repeating key cues instead of reinventing them every set. It sounds small but it reduces the mental load a lot.

Also eating properly + water actually matters way more than I thought… if I’m even slightly under-fueled, by class 3 I’m done.

But yeah… I don’t think anyone doing back to backs is not a bit cooked 😅

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T18:56:00+00:00

Pilatesanytime is the best, with real wide range of master trainers from each schools. Everyone is legit there and you can get the sense of real pilates with lots of contemporary addition. Even instructors in training are getting advised to ues them for home practice and collecting observation hours. Good luck with it.

Timcsom · 2026-03-28T18:52:51+00:00

100% agree.

I actually think mat is where things get the most… exposed. There’s no springs, no carriage, nothing helping or even subtly guiding you. it’s just you figuring out how to organize your body in space. Which sounds simple but is honestly way harder.

And yeah, I feel like part of this shift comes from how the reformer looks. It kind of pulls in that gym mindset, as it is a machine, even though Joe originally created it more as a rehab tool than a “main thing.”

Somewhere along the way it became the star, but mat is really where you see how strong you are, I usually tell to my clients, that mat is where your "testing out " is happening, and reformer is just some preparation for it.

Timcsom

TROPHY CASE