Level 3 Matwork and Reformer Pilates Qualifications

YMCA Awards is the first Awarding Organisation to have created a regulated Reformer Pilates qualification in the UK. The qualifications launched in August 2024 and are currently offered by very few training providers (some education providers offer 'endorsed' courses which are not set to the same standards as regulated qualifications).

As of January 2025 Fearless Fitness Training Academy is an approved training centre offering the YMCA Awards Level 3 qualifications in Matwork and Reformer Pilates 🎉

The YMCA Awards Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork has been updated and is the entry level qualification into teaching Pilates in the UK. If you want to start your Pilates teaching journey this is a great place to begin and it will give you the foundational knowledge and skills to teach group and one-to-one Pilates sessions on the mat.

Did you know that Joseph Pilates wrote a book called Return to Life Through Contrology (Contrology is what he called his method before his name stuck) which contained pictures and instructions for his Matwork exercises? He wanted everyone to do his mat workout everyday at home - no equipment necessary. It is often said that he invented and made the pieces of equipment (Reformer, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Wunda Chair...etc) to help his students be able to do the matwork better. The springs could provide the necessary support or resistance needed.

The Matwork training course I run is online so you can participate from anywhere in the world. We meet online weekly over 10 weeks in addition to personal practice, practice teaching and learning through recorded videos to help the concepts and skills really embed within you. I believe this helps you to learn effectively and successfully building your confidence over time.

You can choose to take the course as a certification given by Fearless Fitness Training Academy with written planning and practical teaching assessments or you can choose to take the regulated YMCA Awards Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork. The content is the same except for some extra anatomy and physiology content. The assessments differ and more are required to obtain the Level 3 qualification.

Prior to August 2024 there was no regulated Reformer Pilates qualification. Some training providers offer an 'endorsed' certification course but these are not regulated or mapped to the qualification standard. They do not give you a qualification at the end of your course.

If you've read any of my other content you probably know I'm not a massive fan of the regulated qualifications because they can force training providers to teach outdated content (i.e. concepts and 'rules' that scientific evidence has now disproven). I have however come to know that the regulation of the profession of teaching Pilates and other movement modalities is likely to come into force soon due to the Whyte Review. I therefore want to offer learners the option to obtain qualifications in preparation for this becoming a requirement to teach.

Also, some gyms and health clubs require their instructors to hold a level 3 qualification.

It's important to note that not all courses are created equal. Just because a course offers a Level 3 qualification doesn't mean the same content is taught and it certainly won't be in the same way. The course curriculum is set by the education company but must include covering the required content from the qualification specification.

The courses I offer continue to offer the same up-to-date content and are designed to help you learn and be teaching awesome classes by the end of the course. There's no guess work, there's no teaching your to pass an assessment. I want you to complete the course and feel ready to get out there and teach with your own uniqueness.

I want everyone who attends training with me to find more of themselves in how they teach - we're all unique and have amazing talents to reach others. I don't want to create cookie-cutter instructors, but those who are fearless in their teaching with confidence to find solutions for the people who come to their sessions.

For anyone who has completed a Reformer training course with me and who would like to gain the Level 3 qualification this is possible without repeating the learning you have already completed.

To be eligible to take the Level 3 Reformer Pilates qualifications you must have a Level 3 Matwork Pilates qualification.

Find out more about the training course options here