pilates instructor

sales associate

general manager

front desk agent

sales representative

Club-Pilates

Working at Club Pilates was an experience—one that I quickly realized wasn’t for me. During the interview, they warn you that the job is repetitive, but actually living through it? That’s a whole different story.

A typical day consisted of the same cycle over and over: reaching out to potential customers—people who showed interest in a free class online—through calls, texts, and emails, trying to convince them to come in. Then, pausing that to greet members as they arrived for class, checking their memberships, and either processing upgrades, downgrades, or pitching them on why they should upgrade. If someone was there for a free class, you had to put on your best salesperson hat, gauge whether they enjoyed it, and immediately try to lock them into a membership. It wasn’t just a casual conversation—it was a structured sales pitch, repeated word for word, every time.

The pay structure was another thing that caught me off guard. They’ll tell you in the interview that you can earn “up to $25 an hour,” but what they don’t emphasize is that your base pay is much lower (around $17), and you only reach that higher rate if you’re making commissions from selling memberships. If you’re considering this job, make sure to get clarity on that before moving forward.

What made it really tough for me was the level of persistence they expected. You’re constantly nudging people—sometimes borderline harassing them—with calls, texts, and emails to get them in the door. Once they’re in, the pressure doesn’t stop. You have to push for membership sales, always aiming for the pricier packages. The job felt so scripted and robotic that I often questioned if I was actually helping people or just another salesperson trying to hit a quota.

Advancement within the company wasn’t appealing to me either. The only real path forward was becoming an instructor, but if you wanted to move into management, you were still stuck doing the same repetitive sales tasks—just with added responsibilities. That didn’t feel like growth to me.

The hardest part, though, was dealing with frustrated members who felt overcharged. I completely understood where they were coming from, but it didn’t make those interactions any less stressful. Every shift, I’d brace myself for the flood of messages I had to send, knowing I’d be bothering people who probably weren’t interested.

That said, it wasn’t all bad. The best part? Free classes and discounted merchandise. If I could have just taken the free classes and skipped the relentless outreach, I probably would have enjoyed it more. But constantly chasing people down and pushing memberships? That drained me. At the end of the day, Club Pilates might be the perfect job for someone who thrives in sales and repetition, but for me, it was exhausting and unfulfilling.

Love Club Pilates, I found my passion in life. I was offered a scholarship to go into the Teacher Training program due to being a sales rep able to make my way up the latter. The training is amazing especially if your group is small and master trainer is thorough, current in teaching and shows genuine passion. You can have a group as small as 4 or up to 20+. This will create a better chance to cross train with each other and more. 

Training is 500hr includes: online work through all apparatus, 100self practice(working out), 80 observation(of classes),  practice teaching hours, assistant teaching. You can take an apprentice test by meeting a certain number of hours and gain money while still earning your full certification. 

Typical day depends on your availability; you can work from 1 - 5 privates a day, once a week including with 3-6 group classes 3-5 days a week. Lead instructor are full time while pilates instructors can work 5hr work week or 32+ work week. Some instructors work in other studios to receive full time like hours. 

Some studios have lead instructors who create workshops for members and any employed instructor can teach. They typically do a rotation or instructor’s volunteer. Some studios don’t have one which creates more work for the manager who’s in charge of studio operations and sales employees. 

Worked at 2 different studios in different states and have experience three managers so far. 1st manager was a micromanager and hyperfixated on operations and policies. Which is great for revenue but a disadvantage for member and team morale. 
Another manager that goes above and beyond to make the studio run efficiently, creates a positive environment for team and members. Accepts criticism and encourages everyone to offer feedback. Manger was top 10 of the CP franchise for 5+ months and studio was top ten for at least a year. Current to date. 

Hardest part would be if there isn’t a block of classes available to teach. Coming into a studio already running with no blocks available, you’ll be included into the sub list. Also when teaching privates, they can cancel at any moment. Depending on the owner you’ll get paid if they cancel the day of while your at the studio. Most times you won’t get paid if they cancel. 

Enjoyable would be the positive environment and lifestyle. 

Working as a General Manager for Aligned Fitness Holdings provided valuable experience in leadership, member relations, sales, and studio operations. The most rewarding part of the position was building relationships with members, supporting instructors and staff, and helping create a welcoming wellness-focused environment for the community. I also appreciated the opportunity to strengthen my skills in operations, team management, marketing, and customer experience.
However, the role often came with extremely high expectations and limited operational support. Management staff were expected to balance sales performance, staffing, member retention, studio operations, emergencies, and ongoing communication demands simultaneously, often without an adequate support structure in place. Leadership communication and expectations could be inconsistent, which created confusion and added unnecessary stress to an already demanding role.
A typical day involved managing multiple responsibilities at once, including sales, staffing, member concerns, operational issues, instructor coordination, and studio performance goals. The workload frequently extended beyond normal business hours, and there was often an expectation to remain available during personal time to address studio issues.
The hardest part of the position was maintaining work-life balance while operating in a high-pressure environment with constant operational demands. Compensation did not always feel aligned with the level of responsibility required of management staff. Over time, this contributed to burnout and made the environment difficult to sustain long term.
Overall, the experience reinforced the importance of strong leadership support, clear communication, healthy workplace culture, and sustainable operational expectations.


Absolutely loved the members and job itself. The workload was easy to pick up and as most member and potential leads were very positive. Enjoyed making sales and building relationships in the community. Turnover at this location is incredibly high for only being open 2 years and it’s easy to see why quickly. The owners micro manage to the point where if you don’t immediately type in something they will call you and ask why you haven’t done so yet. They’ll ask for feedback and ideas but if it’s not what they want to hear it’s wrong in their eyes and you’ll be argued with as “they’ve been doing this a long time” . If you don’t do things exactly how they want you will be seen as hostile and will be seen as a clashing presence. For grown adults are truly some of the most calculating and childish ones I’ve met in my life. You can put time and so much effort which the reports will show into this job and they’ll still disrespect and demean you to the point of tears in front of guests and call you pathetic because how dare you not be able to handle your higher up screaming in your face. Keep in mind if you have family, school, anything in your life besides the studio you will be looked down upon. They will expect you to work last minute scheduling, 6 shifts in a week but only equaling to less than 15 hrs so you won’t get benefits, class that you told them you have on certain days? How dare you. You just got a call about a family member passing or you have a funeral ? Oof are you sure you can’t stay I have other arrangements. These are all completely true events that have happened to past and current employees and that were treated as a problem for them and they would guilt you for that. If you are not an agreeable and easily manipulated individual with plenty of time to dedicate to their business save yourself the trouble and go to any other location. It won’t matter if records show you’re skilled and competent if you don’t fit their personality mold and are quick to bend at any request you will be treated in a way that shows you aren’t wanted. Don’t expect to make it far at any franchise in this ownership.

This is, without question, one of the most unprofessional and toxic workplaces I have ever experienced.

The hiring process alone should have been a red flag. Communication was nonexistent, interviews were spaced weeks apart with no follow-up, and after interviewing for a management level position, I was brought in at an entry-level role with no clear explanation. It felt misleading from the start.

Training was practically nonexistent. Expectations were unclear, guidance was minimal, and management seemed completely disorganized. You’re expected to just “figure it out” while being micromanaged at the same time.

The breaking point was a scheduled remote meeting on my day off. I went out of my way to be available and repeatedly asked for the meeting link, which was never sent. When the meeting time came, instead of addressing their mistake, I was bombarded with nonstop calls and FaceTimes. It got to the point where my phone was being spammed so aggressively that I couldn’t even respond. When I finally was able to explain that I never received a link, I was met with hostility, blame, and completely unprofessional behavior. That was enough for me to quit on the spot.

My girlfriend worked there for about six months and dealt with constant micromanagement, being spoken down to, and a lack of basic respect. Employees are treated like they are disposable. Hours are inconsistent, yet staff are discouraged from working elsewhere. Front desk employees interested in becoming instructors are actively discouraged, and in some cases told to stop pursuing certifications altogether. It feels less like a workplace and more like an environment built on control.

The overall culture is toxic. Management lacks accountability, communication is terrible, and there is little to no regard for employees as people. The business also leans heavily on high pressure, uncomfortable sales tactics that do not align with a positive client experience.

If you value professionalism, respect, or basic communication, stay far away from this company.

As an instructor classically certified by a very thorough program (1,000 hrs mat, 1,000 hours for machines) I have so many issues with the way Club Pilates is run. Their instructor training program leaves much to be desired and is only 500 hours for literally every piece of equipment. It is also catered to club pilates’ fast food fitness style of classes only and not geared towards becoming a thorough and knowledgeable pilates instructor, it focuses more on all these hybrid classes than it does on actually studying strictly pilates. That being said, as a classical instructor, I’ve struggled for a few years now with members complaining about the thorough way I teach, always wanting something faster when I started, now always wanting something easier as the years go on. I feel like I’ve run out of exercises to teach because club pilates has so many rules that make zero sense about teaching. I can basically teach maybe 1/4th of the pilates reformer exercises I know because all the others are not “CP appropriate” but many of the ones considered inappropriate are actually defined as beginner exercises in my classical certification. It leaves me with very little I can teach and a feeling of being micromanaged. On top of all of this, we are payed such a low rate for pilates instructors, especially with extensive training. $25 per class up to 6 people, with an extra $3 per head over 6 people. The most you’ll make is $43 per class if you have a class completely full (12 people, which was and is so daunting to teach sometimes. You cannot see everyone at once and you barely can give any assistance with the CP class model.) private sessions are only $35 too. I could go on and on but if you are wanting to teach properly and safely AND still be able to use the full range of your certification, then CP is definitely not the place to be teaching. A lot of us wind up here because it’s the only place that offers a lot of classes to instructors, not because we actually like it. 

Rude from the beginning, and rude to the very end. I applied because I had an interest in Pilates, was eager to learn some skills in sales, and because it allowed me the opportunity to take classes and eventually I could become an instructor myself which was very appealing to me. However in my 2.5 months there, I was the last sales person to not quit, until very recently, because of the condescending, toxic and passive aggressive micromanaging. I don’t use the word toxic lightly either, they would say things to me that were straight up inconsiderate or even inappropriate in a work setting. Not just by the Gm, but he owner too. I worked very hard at this job, and was learning a lot by myself, since my GM never trained me, and I was often the only person there. She resorted to blaming me for a lot of the companies problems, which were not my fault, and attempted to throw me under the bus for multiple things, insisted that I work off the clock during my breaks and during the times that I am at home, even though I told her I am an hourly employee and that’s not how that works. The worst part about this was not being able to have any control or say in my availability or my schedule. They would schedule me the day before and expect me to just drop everything in my life for them, or if they would have me close and open which I express was not OK to do because he gave me seven or eight hours in between shifts to go home and shower and eat and figure out my life. They were very unreasonable and I would not recommend this to anybody who doesn’t want to deal with A boss and gm who micromanage and criticize everything you do.

This workplace offers a relaxed environment but is hindered by inadequate compensation & poor management. The wages do not reflect the volume of work required, and only part-time positions are available. To achieve a full-time schedule, employees must work at three separate locations without mileage or gas compensation, often involving a commute of 30 minutes. The reliance on part-time staff impacts team communication and client relationships, leading to missed call logs & not having sufficient information to follow up with a client.

Additionally, while an Intro Class is offered for extra income, it is frequently unavailable unless fully booked. Although management is kind-hearted, there are organizational issues, such as scheduling confusion and inappropriate communication of work-related matters on days off. Management also tends to discuss employee issues with others before addressing the concerned employee directly, fostering a gossip-prone environment. Staff communication is also problematic. Employees discuss your actions and decisions without directly addressing you, as employees report issues to management rather than addressing them directly with their colleagues & management, leading to misunderstandings and misreporting of concerns. 

They would deeply benefit from hiring full time employees to solve all the issues listed above. 

The owners seem like good people and all but they are not good at being bosses. When I worked for club Pilates I was constantly feeling like I wasn’t trusting and never doing things right. They drill you to make way to many out calls a day. It’s ridiculous. And every day you had to report exactly what you had done and why. No trust. Not a good way to have employees feel. The pay is also not very good. I had expected a high pay for them being so expensive and a large company. And then they expect you do be doing calls every minute for almost minimum wage. I worked for a nonprofit that was literally the best job every for the same amount. That’s ridiculous. 
I’m very blessed in the way that past jobs and employer’s have been great. I can’t say the same for this job. You get merchandise for a discount but they are still making money off your buy as an employee. Previously at jobs employees would pay for items at the same price payed by the business. If all CP’s are like this it wouldn’t surprise me to see the chain die off. 
In addition I didn’t feel like I was helping people working there. I felt bad and kind of like all the business wanted was peoples money and they didn’t care about the actual people. I know a business has to make money but it felt wrong. 
Also I wasn’t allowed to take classes when I first started working there, which was half the reason I applied. 

I was hired for a part-time front desk/sales associate position.  Due to a challenging full-time job, I was up-front with my schedule and limited availability.  I'd been a member of Club Pilates for over 3 years so felt I understood their mission and knew the benefits a regular practice can have on a person.  My shifts were set up, I had decent training, and I was ready to go.  Then they hired a general manager, and one of my shifts was removed.  OK, that's weird.  Then another new manager was hired, and I received a message through Prospr that they'd found someone else to cover my position, but they'd be happy to keep me on as a sub.  No phone call, no discussion, no respect.  Mind you, I was one of the top salespeople in the region despite the fact that I only worked about 12 hours/month.  I asked if subs received a free membership, and they do not, but as a sub I'd need to be available at a moment's notice to cover any of the studios in my area.  Um, no thank you.  With how hard it is to find reliable, good, hard-working people I was extremely surprised by my treatment there.  What had been a fun job - a way to chat with different types of people and share my passion for Pilates, I was very disappointed in my treatment at the end.  The hours are good for a stay-at-home parent, retired person, or student, but I cannot recommend it as a good place to work.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Pilates instructor 658 salaries reported	$45.27 per hour
Sales associate 392 salaries reported	$16.27 per hour
General manager 200 salaries reported	$63,513 per year
Front desk agent 104 salaries reported	$15.96 per hour
Sales representative 133 salaries reported	$15.38 per hour

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