What’s in my Pilates Instructor Bag?
After teaching group and private Pilates sessions for five years, I decided to finally dedicate a bag solely to my Pilates instructor schedule. This way I won’t have to worry about forgetting any essentials, which has happened several times in the past, and I will have everything I need to teach a successful Pilates session.
1. Class Planner Binder
This is the binder where I have all my planned classes on 5×8 cards and organized by level and stored in a half binder. I wrote a blog post that covers exactly how I plan and organize my classes that you can read here.
2. Personal Microphone/Speaker
If you’re teaching a lot of classes, using a personal microphone/speaker is incredibly helpful. Not only does it ensure that clients are able to hear you clearly in classes, but it also saves your voice and is better for your health. I bought this cheap one that works really well. So many people have complimented me and told me how useful it was for them to hear me clearly.
3. Hair Clips/Hair Ties
It’s always helpful to have extra hair ties in my bag in case I forget them (which I have several times).
4. Water Bottle
I’ve shown up to work in the past having forgotten my water bottle and it is not fun teaching 4 classes in a row without one. Now, I always keep a water bottle that is only used with my Pilates instructor bag so that I can keep it in there and not worry about forgetting it. This way I won’t ever have to teach holding a paper cup of water or suffer without water altogether. It doesn’t have to be a S’well but having an insulated water bottle will help you to keep liquids hot or cold for your longer shifts teaching back-to-back classes.
5. Masks
Where I live now, masks are mandatory, but I prefer to wear them regardless as I realize now how easy it is for germs to get around, especially when people are breathing hard. And since I have my personal mic/speaker, clients never have a problem hearing me.
6. Hand Lotion
I am constantly washing my hands and using hand sanitizer which leaves my hands dry. Having lotion helps prevent my skin from drying and cracking and just feeling much nicer. I saw the CeraVe brand on a YouTube video when a flight attendant recommended it and it is the best! I’m also a big fan of Nivea.
7. Hand Sanitizer
As I said above, I constantly wash my hand and always have hand sanitizer on me. Often when you are instructing, you will have to make touch corrections or help a Pilates client with their equipment. And since these clients are working out, they or the equipment can often be very sweaty. You can discreetly pump some hand sanitizer in your hands after helping them. There is hand sanitizer all over the studios that I teach at but it doesn’t hurt to have extra on you just in case.
8- Face and Body Wipes
In case I do a workout before or in between teaching classes or privates, it’s nice to have some face and body wipes to use after.
9. Protein Bar
Since I teach for long hours during normal eating hours, I can often be starving at the end of a shift. Having a protein bar stops me from skipping on my reformer workout and paying for an unhealthy choice.
10. Drink Enhancements
I keep a pouch filled with a few instant drinks. Vitamin C (which I use the most), tea, matcha tea, coffee, and protein powder have all helped me through my classes as well as saved me money from running to the nearest coffee shop. Just in case I am having an unusually long day.
11. Pilates Socks
I always make a habit of hopping on the reformer after I am done teaching a class. If there is space in another Pilates instructor’s class I will hop in there. Otherwise, I will either do an online class from a Pilates subscription service or do my own thing. Having my socks in my bag ensures that I won’t have to miss my workout.
12. Reformer Mat
I had been eyeing these pilates reformer mats at work for ages and I finally got one! It’s cut perfectly to fit a Pilates reformer and they really do make a difference and make me feel way safer, cleaner, and more comfortable. The rubbery backing prevents the mat from moving around and the soft front feels so much better than the vinyl fabric on reformers.
13. Wireless Headphones
I use my apple air pods when I am following an online class, or if I am doing my own thing I can listen to music or a podcast.
14. iPad Pro
I’ve started bringing my iPad. I’ve been slowly switching to digital class planning which allows me to store and pull up all my planned classes on my Good Notes app. Also, I can connect my iPad to the speaker system so I have control over the music and the internet where I can help check in members when there aren’t any front desk co-workers around. Since I do a lot of early morning shifts, I often have to check members in.
If you like the digital pilates class planner you see above and want a free copy, then click here!
And that’s everything that I always keep in my Pilates Instructor Bag.
What do you keep in your Pilates Instructor bag?
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