Teaching Fitness Pilates – How To Improve Teaching & Communication Skills

Teaching Fitness Pilates – How To Improve Teaching & Communication Skills

Communication and Improving Your Communication skills for teaching Pilates can make a huge difference to the success of your classes and clients so even you have been teaching forever… we can ALL Improve our communication style – what do you think?

1. Speak with purpose, not volume

More talking doesn’t always mean better teaching.

* Say less, mean more

* Pause regularly so clients can feel, not just listen

* One clear message per movement beats five vague cues

Ask yourself: “If they remember one thing here, what should it be?”

2. Structure your language

Great communication follows a predictable rhythm:

Prepare → Cue → Observe → Refine

Example:

Set your pelvis first… now move the legs… now add the arms”

This helps clients feel safe and organised.

3. Use cues people understand.

Your expertise should feel accessible, not intimidating.

* Mix anatomy info with relatable phrases

4. Match tone to class energy

Your voice sets the nervous system tone.

* Calm, slower pace for restorative or breath-led work

* Clear, confident, slightly brighter for strength and control

* Avoid monotone delivery — vary pitch and pace.

Your class should feel held, not rushed.

5. Be specific with feedback

Vague praise doesn’t help learning.

Instead of:”Good.”

Use:That was controlled — you kept the pelvis steady as the legs moved.”

Clients repeat what you reinforce.

6. Correct skilfully.

Corrections are communication moments.

* Cue the movement, not the mistake

* Use inclusive language: “Let’s all try…”

* Normalise adjustments as part of learning

7. Watch more, talk less

Observation is communication.

* Step back regularly

* Let your next cue be based on what you see, not your plan.

8. Ask better questions

Questions improve engagement and body awareness.

Examples:

* “Can you feel the difference there?”

* “Does that feel stronger or smoother?”

* “Where do you notice the work most?”

This turns a class into a 2 way conversation.

9. Be consistent with language

Repetition builds understanding.

* Use the same core cues each week

* Don’t reinvent phrases unnecessarily

* Familiar language builds confidence and trust

Progress comes from clarity, not novelty.

10. End with intention

How you finish a class matters.

* Summarise what they worked on

* Reinforce a takeaway they can apply to daily life

* Thank them — simple, but powerful

Clients remember how you made them feel

Strong teaching communication mindset

Clear. Calm. Confident. Connected.

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