Become a member

Pilates-based matwork instructor

Pilates-based matwork instructors play an essential role in the sector workforce. As a highly skilled and qualified expert, being certified by CIMSPA – the sector’s professional development body – is a clear way of showing what you can do. If you are a practising Pilates instructor, CIMSPA professional status can support you to gain professional recognition and progress in your career.

Occupation scope and impact

As a Pilates-based matwork instructor, you plan safe and effective matwork exercise classes using Pilates techniques, providing ongoing supervision, monitoring and session review. You also: 

  • have responsibility for health and safety and cleaning relevant to their role and environment 
  • support the client to progress and provide adaptions to meet the individuals needs within the classes 
  • teach Pilates-based matwork to groups and individuals to include the Pilates fundamentals and principles 
  • teach Pilates-based matwork, including adaptations of original mat-based Pilates exercises for group classes and 1–1s. 
From
£3.24*
per month (inc VAT)
based on an an annual fee of
£38.94*
(inc VAT)

*discounts apply if your organisation is a CIMSPA employer partner

Apply now
  • Verifiable professional status accreditation
  • Exclusive benefits and offers
  • Access free endorsed CPD

Becoming a certified Pilates instructor in the UK

Having a CIMSPA professional status indicates to employers, clients and your peers that you are a qualified fitness trainer with recognised Pilates matwork qualifications.

Gain professional recognition for your knowledge, skills and experience by sharing your status with employers, clients and your peers.

As you progress in your career, you can upgrade to new professional statuses that celebrate your expertise and allow you to explore more opportunities in your work.

Learn more about professional status

Professional status for Pilates-based matwork instructors

To help you demonstrate your skills and career progression, the professional status framework is split into different levels. Read below to find out the benefits and entry requirements for each one.

Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Practitioner

You are currently working as a Pilates-based matwork instructor and have a high-quality and up-to-date Pilates matwork qualification. You are dedicated to your professional development and providing the best possible experience to participants. 

Professional Status

Title

You will gain the professional status title of Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand that you are a certified fitness trainer with expertise linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:

  • Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.  
  • When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance. 

Postnominals

You will gain the postnominals of MCIMSPA.  

Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.   

You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional. 

Find out more about postnominals 

Accreditation credentials

Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.  

Find out more about accreditation credentials

To become a certified Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Practitioner, you will need to complete the Pilates Based Matwork Instructor occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements. To do this, you will need to provide examples such as:

  • a qualification certificate from an awarding organisation
  • supporting CPD.

Find out how to evidence 

£3.24*
per month (inc VAT) based on an annual fee of
£38.94*
(inc VAT)
*discounts apply if your organisation is a CIMSPA employer partner

Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Advanced Practitioner

You are a practising and qualified Pilates matwork instructor, and to offer a more bespoke service, you have also gone the extra mile to specialise in working with a particular group of clients, for example women and girls, or in a particular environment, for example in the community. 

Professional Status

Title

You will gain the professional status title of Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Advanced Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand that you are a certified fitness trainer with expertise linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:

  • Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.  
  • When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance. 

Postnominals

You will gain the postnominals of MCIMSPA.  

Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.   

You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional. 

Find out more about postnominals

Accreditation credentials

Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.  

Find out more about accreditation credentials

To become a certified Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Advanced Practitioner, you will need to complete the Pilates Based Matwork Instructor occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements. To do this, you will need to provide examples such as:

  • a qualification certificate from an awarding organisation
  • supporting CPD.

You will also need to evidence completion of one of the following population or environment professional standards: 

  • Working with People with Long Term Conditions  
  • Working with Children 
  • Working with Children 0–5 years 
  • Working in the School Environment (Out of Curriculum) 
  • Working Inclusively – Working with Antenatal and Postnatal Clients 
  • Working Inclusively – Working with Women and Girls 
  • Working Inclusively – Working with Disabled People 
  • Working Inclusively – Working with Culturally and Ethnically Diverse Communities 
  • Working Inclusively – Working with People with Mental Health Conditions 
  • Working Inclusively – Working with Inactive People 
  • Working in a Community Environment 


Find out how to evidence

£6.44*
per month (inc VAT) based on an annual fee of
£77.26*
(inc VAT)
*discounts apply if your organisation is a CIMSPA employer partner

Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Senior Practitioner

As a Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Senior Practitioner, you are a well-qualified and committed professional. You have extensive expertise and are able to support participants with complex needs within a specialist area: either inclusive practice, physical activity and health or children and young people. 

Professional Status

Title

You will gain the professional status title of Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Senior Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand that you are a certified fitness trainer with expertise linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:

  • Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.  
  • When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance. 

Postnominals

You will gain the postnominals of FCIMSPA.  

Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.   

You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional. 

Find out more about postnominals

Accreditation credentials

Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.  

Find out more about accreditation credentials

To become a certified Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Senior Practitioner, you will need to complete the Pilates Based Matwork Instructor occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements. To do this, you will need to provide examples such as:

  • a qualification certificate from an awarding organisation
  • supporting CPD.

You will also need to meet the requirements for one of the following specialist areas: 

Children and Young People Specialist

You have completed all three of the following population and environment professional standards by evidencing all of their competency statements: 

  • Working with Children 0–5​ 
  • Working with Children 
  • Working in the School Environment (Out of Curriculum) 

Inclusive Practice Specialist

You have completed three of the following five population professional standards by evidencing all of their competency statements: 

  • Working Inclusively (Working with Disabled People) ​ 
  • Working with Women and Girls ​ 
  • Working with Culturally and Ethnically Diverse Communities 
  • Working with Antenatal and Postnatal Clients 
  • Working with Inactive People 

Physical Activity and Health Specialist

You have completed the Working with People with Long Term Conditions professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements. 

You have evidenced one of the following technical specialisms: 

  • Cardiac Rehabilitation* 
  • Chronic Respiratory Disease* 
  • Falls Prevention* 
  • Cancer Rehabilitation* 
  • Neurological Conditions* 
  • Lower Back Pain* 
  • Obesity/Diabetes* 
  • Stroke Rehabilitation* 

*Professional standard not yet available, please contact our accreditation team to discuss evidencing these specialisms.

 

Find out how to evidence 

£8.58*
per month (inc VAT) based on an annual fee of
£103.00*
(inc VAT)
*discounts apply if your organisation is a CIMSPA employer partner

Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Chartered Practitioner

This chartered status shows that you are an experienced and qualified Pilates instructor who is delivering excellent outcomes for clients while also creating a significantly positive impact on the sector. 

By gaining this professional status, you are showing employers, clients and everyone else that you are an expert in your field. 

Find out more about chartered status 

Professional Status

Title

You will gain the professional status title of Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Chartered Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand that you are a certified fitness trainer with expertise linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:

  • Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.  
  • When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance. 

Postnominals

You will gain the postnominals of MCIMSPA (Chartered).  

Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.   

You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional. 

Find out more about postnominals

Accreditation credentials

Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.  

Find out more about accreditation credentials

To become a certified Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Chartered Practitioner, you will need to complete the Pilates Based Matwork Instructor occupational professional standard by evidencing all of its competency statements. To do this, you will need to provide examples such as:

  • a qualification certificate from an awarding organisation
  • supporting CPD.

You will also need to complete the CIMSPA Chartered Practitioner assessment process, through which you will demonstrate your experience and sustained positive impact within your role. To be considered for this process, you must hold an existing CIMSPA professional status. 

Find out how to evidence 

Learn more about the assessment process 

£15.14*
per month (inc VAT) based on an annual fee of
£181.69*
(inc VAT)
*discounts apply if your organisation is a CIMSPA employer partner

Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Chartered Senior Practitioner

Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Chartered Senior Practitioner is the highest level of professional status available. It shows that you are delivering an outstanding, specialised service to your clients and are leading the way in influencing positive change in the sector. 

Find out more about chartered status

Professional Status

Title

You will gain the professional status title of Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Chartered Senior Practitioner. You will be able to use this to ensure that clients and employers understand that you are a certified fitness trainer with expertise linked directly to the sector’s professional standards:

  • Try using your title in your website or social media bio to show clients that you’re a trained expert. Many other professions such as healthcare practitioners and financial advisers use these to demonstrate their credibility.  
  • When applying for jobs, your professional status title is an important addition to your CV. Employers will be able to see your skill level and are assured that your qualifications are quality assured – all from a quick glance. 

Postnominals

You will gain the postnominals of FCIMSPA (Chartered).  

Many established professions, such as accountancy and medicine, use postnominal letters to show that an individual is accredited by a professional body.   

You will be able to use yours after your name on social media, your website and business communications to demonstrate that you are a recognised professional. 

Find out more about postnominals 

Accreditation credentials

Your accreditation credentials – which take the form of a digital badge – will offer a verifiable visual representation of your professional status which you can use on your website and social media to showcase your expertise. When you click on them, anyone will be able to see further information about your status and that it is verified and up to date.  

Find out more about accreditation credentials

You will need to meet the entry requirements for Pilates Based Matwork Instructor Senior Practitioner and complete the CIMSPA Chartered Practitioner assessment process, through which you will demonstrate your experience and sustained positive impact within your role. To be considered for this process, you must hold an existing CIMSPA professional status. 

Find out how to evidence 

Learn more about the assessment process

£17.17*
per month (inc VAT) based on an annual fee of
£206.00*
(inc VAT)
*discounts apply if your organisation is a CIMSPA employer partner

Apply for your professional status

Step 1 – prepare your evidence, apply and pay

Provide evidence of your qualifications and CPD documentation in PDF, JPEG or PNG format.

Debit card, credit card or direct debit payment options are available.

Step 2 – We will process your application

You will receive email updates as we review your application.

We will let you know if we require any further information from you.

You will receive an email confirming that your professional status has been approved.

Apply now

What does CIMSPA professional status confirm?

Holding professional status issued by your sector’s professional development body is more than just a membership. It delivers:

  • Employer verification

Employers use professional status to create job descriptions and plan staff training. Use yours to show that you have the right skills and knowledge for the job at a glance – when you add your status and a link to your accreditation credential to your CV, employers can quickly verify your expertise and commitment to your continuing professional development.

  • Client trust

Give your potential clients a clear signal that you are the right choice. Professional status confirms that you are qualified and adhere to our Member Code of Conduct. By encouraging clients to check your professional status, you are showing that you are a Pilates instructor that they can trust.

  • Career progression

Being a certified Pilates matwork doesn’t stop there. The clear progression pathway allows you to plan your development and show employers and clients the expertise you’ve gained. Higher levels of professional status allow you to unlock increased credibility and opportunities within your work. With your annual CPD requirement, you’ll naturally keep your knowledge up to date as you grow, too.

Professional status is about being recognised for your impact, your expertise and your dedication to the role. When you have an easy way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills, this can open doors for your career. Apply now to gain the Pilates instructor certification you deserve.

Supporting your career

Take complete control of your career progression and stay at the forefront of our sector.

To help you maximise your professional status and develop your knowledge and skills, we offer a range of exclusive benefits that complement your professional status:

  • Get endorsed Pilates matwork qualifications and CPD for less with discounts from a range of training providers.
  • Enhance your career prospects – many of our Employer Partners commit to only employing CIMSPA-certified Pilates matwork instructors.
  • Stay up to date with sector news and in-depth guidance with exclusive access to Move Professional, our quarterly online publication.
  • Get regular bite-sized sector updates via email with our tailored monthly bulletin.
  • Learn and develop through CIMSPA’s member-only webinars featuring cross-sector experts.
  • Make connections through CIMSPA and partner events and conferences and at our professional development boards and consultations (by invitation).
  • Be the first to hear about opportunities to be involved with CIMSPA consultations and insight, helping to influence sector policy and future research.
  • Help shape the sector’s future by taking part in focus groups and committees.

CPD requirement and how it works

To maintain your professional status, you are required to complete 10 points of continuing professional development (CPD). This can be anything from a wide range of training linked to your role, from formal Pilates qualifications to attending our exclusive member webinars. As a member, you will have access to a range of free and discounted opportunities via your bespoke CIMSPA Dashboard. You can also use our endorsed training directory to explore quality-assured learning opportunities on a wide range of topics.

Find out more about what CPD counts

We ask you to complete CPD every year to ensure that your professional knowledge remains up to date and relevant. This also helps you to deliver the best service to your clients and progress in your career as you learn.

We’ve kept the requirement as flexible as possible so that you can choose learning that supports your personal career goals and development needs.

CIMSPA Employer Partners

CIMSPA Employer Partners are part of our sector-wide network of organisations. From community sports clubs to major gym brands, they are all committed to supporting their employees to achieve professional excellence. Since the launch of professional status, our partners have been using the framework to shape their role descriptions, both for existing staff and when advertising vacancies. This means that when you apply for a job offered by a CIMSPA Employer Partner, having professional status connects you to their needs and makes you stand out from other candidates. For some employers, it’s even an essential requirement. Use our bespoke sector jobs board to view vacancies with our partners and take the next step in your career.

Membership join FAQs

Your account will be required to be linked your employer’s organisational account to issue your membership at the discounted price. If your account is not currently linked, we will require some information from you. Please email us on info@cimspa.co.uk 

If your CIMSPA recognised entry qualification is dated over 5 years from the date of your application, you will be required to evidence:

  • At least 1 CPD point of endorsed
  • Or 4 hours of non-endorsed CPD.

Awarding organisation certificates display some or all of the following:

  • Awarding organisation’s logo e.g. Active IQ, YMCA Awards, Innovate Awarding, Focus Awards, VTCT
  • Award title e.g. Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training
  • Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN) e.g. 600/4941/8
  • Date of issue
  • Certificate number
  • ’Ofqual’ logo

Please note: A Unit Credit certificate, letter of confirmation or certificate issued by a Training Provider are not accepted to ensure a standardised and robust application process.

Your membership will be approved within the affiliate membership category to bring you onboard as a CIMSPA member. We will email you with guidance to support you with your next steps towards becoming a practitioner or associate member.

If your qualifications have not been mapped to the industry professional standards, they may be submitted for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. For further information, please email info@cimspa.co.uk

If you have successfully met the professional standard following completion of your CIMSPA endorsed course for your chosen practitioner category, your professional qualification certificate issued by CIMSPA and awarded by your education provider will clearly confirm this and should be submitted with your application.

EREPS/REPS Ireland

We have an agreement with and can accept a Letter of Portability during your membership application from the following organisations, providing it is transferrable to your chosen CIMSPA membership category:

Other countries

If your qualification was completed in a country outside the above organisations’ jurisdiction, please email info@cimspa.co.uk with a copy of your letter of portability or qualification, confirming the country of issue, for further support.