Barrel Equipment Teacher Training
What do beer & Pilates have in common?
They both have use barrels!
Rumour has it, Joseph Pilates took inspiration from beer barrels to design Barrel equipment, used in essential Pilates training to this day. Some even say he even designed the very first barrel using a beer keg (which might explain the shape...).
There are three types of Barrel equipment used for essential Pilates teacher training.
Small Barrel/Arc
Beginners
The small ladder barrel or arc, is one of the most versatile and frequently used pieces of equipment. It is crucial to helping understand the use of spine and overall body control in the Pilates technique. this simple-looking piece of equipment provides both support and challenges, and is a great place for any teacher in training to start their foundation course.
Recommended for new teachers and students.
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Spine Corrector
Beginners - Intermediate
The Spine Corrector training helps deepen your understanding of what role the spine plays in the Pilates technique. It's one of the foundation courses and an important part of training to become an accomplished teacher.
The Small Barrel/Arc & Spine Corrector training is combined in a 5-hour workshop, covering classical exercises & variation learning.
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Ladder Barrel
Intermediate - Advanced
The Ladder Barrel offers great support of the spine along with mobility. It helps you to understand and practice exercises and use of the Reformer. This equipment adds a small but valued repertoire. It's proved to be great for ballet dancers, gymnasts and those looking to test mobility, and stretch. This 5-hour workshop can be quite intense and is therefore recommended for teachers who are Mat qualified or have completed Arc and Spine Corrector training.
Join our next workshop on
BARREL EQUIPMENT TRAINING
Learn essential Pilates skills with your teacher training
Small Barrel/Arc & Spine Corrector Training
This essential workshop includes classical exercises and variations in both the Small Barrel/Arc and Spine Corrector. These original pieces of Pilates apparatus are crucial for any teacher training journey as it reinforces application of principles, and emphasises spinal placement with segmental control. In this 5-hour workshop, you'll learn how to correctly use both pieces of equipment, particularly for your hips and shoulder girdle.
You'll receive a manual and certification of hours after completion.
Date & time: Sunday 23rd November @ 10:00
Duration: 5-hour workshop
Location: PEAR studio, Kensington, London
Cost: £180
Ladder Barrel Training
This enhanced workshop explores use of the Ladder Barrel, an exciting piece of original equipment in Pilates. You'll learn how to adapt the Barrel for essential stretching, whilst reinforcing Pilates principles and reworks of classical exercises linked to other pieces of equipment. We'll also equip you with variations for acrobatic exercises and training that sets you up for other equipment including the Reformer.
Required: Pilates Mat qualification or previous Barrel training
Date & time: Saturday 17th January 2026 @ 14:30
Duration: 5-hour workshop
Location: PEAR studio, Kensington, London
Cost: £180
Train with an experienced team
We focus on teaching you more than the basics and what's on paper. At Pilates Education and Research (P.E.A.R.), we encourage students to develop intuition, observation skills, search for subtleties and fine tune their bodies. You will learn how to teach individuals rather than a set format of Pilates exercises. We help you to become an outstanding teacher, not just another teacher.
Founder of our studio, and course teacher Ellie Ioannidou, is one of the UK's most recognised voices in Pilates teacher training. With decades of experience and multiple mentions in the historical record of Pilates in the UK, Ellie brings deep respect for tradition together with a fresh, evidence-informed approach to movement education. P.E.A.R. studio offers a training environment that is rigorous yet personal, rooted in classical principles but open to evolving. Our mission is to deliver teacher education of the highest standard — not just to certify instructors, but to shape reflective, confident, and adaptable professionals.
Above & Beyond Teaching Principles
Learn to See, Not Just to Do
You’ll learn to refine your own movement, sharpen your observation, and adapt your teaching to meet individuals — not just deliver routines. We focus on nurturing intuition, clarity, and creative responsiveness.
Practice Principles
With time, consistency, and curiosity, you’ll learn how to support recovery, improve function, and deepen awareness through movement. Our rich and varied repertoire is always rooted in core principles: relaxation, alignment, breath, focus, and awareness.
Pilates is Personal
We believe great teachers emerge through experience and mentorship. That’s why our training is small-group, feedback-rich, and deeply personal — helping you build confidence, and a grounded teaching voice.
"Outstanding Studio! Extremely knowledgeable teachers. Feels good to be in safe hands."
Nathalie, London
Sign up for the full Pilates Teacher Training brochure
Expect more insights about our teaching principles; see what other courses we have to offer; and receive exclusive discounts when signing up to more than one.
