Pilates teachers: organising mat and reformer classes

Organise mat and reformer work as separate services, each with its own capacity, price and level. The number of places in a class should match the equipment: one place per mat in the room, one per reformer. Ask new clients to start with an introduction before joining a mixed class, especially on the reformer, and place private and duo sessions in the hours when the room isn't used for classes. That way each class is full but never overbooked, and every client arrives in a class they're ready for.

In a mat class, the limit is floor space and how many people you can watch closely. On the reformer, it's the number of machines: four reformers means four places, full stop. If a fifth person books, someone ends up without a machine. So the capacity of each class should come from the room, not from how many people want to come.

On Book, each type of class is a service with its own price and optional description, and you open slots for each at the length it takes. A slot can have several places: set the number of places to your number of mats or machines. Each client books one place, and when the class is full, it's no longer shown on your page. Clients don't see how many places are left, only whether the class is available.

A mat class and a reformer class aren't the same experience, price or capacity. Keep them as separate services so clients see clearly what they're booking. If you teach several levels, create a service per level too: "Reformer — beginners", "Reformer — intermediate". Describe in each what the client should already know, so someone new to the reformer doesn't book an intermediate class.

If mat and reformer classes use the same room at different times, open their slots in separate periods. Slots of different services can overlap and a booking on one doesn't block another service's slot at the same time, so don't open a mat class and a reformer class in the same room at the same hour.

A client who has never used a reformer needs time to learn the machine, the springs and the safety basics. Teaching that in the middle of a full class slows everyone down. A short introduction, one-to-one or in a small group, solves it. Make it its own service, and say in your class descriptions that new clients start with the introduction.

Book doesn't check whether a client has done the introduction before they book a class. If someone new books a class directly, contact them before the day and suggest the introduction instead. You can cancel the class booking from your bookings list and book them into an introduction yourself; tell them directly, since Book doesn't email clients when you change a booking.

If you rent the room by the hour, the timetable also decides your costs. Group classes spread the rent over several clients; private sessions use the room for one. A mix of both, placed where each fits best, keeps the room busy and the rent covered.

Some clients come to the same class every week; others come when they can. Regulars can book their next class on your page each week, or you can book their places yourself from your calendar for the coming weeks. Keep in mind that each place you book is taken, so leave enough places for drop-ins if you want them.

Clients book without an account and receive a confirmation email; you receive an email for each new booking. Book doesn't sell class packs or memberships, or take payments; handle those the way you already do, and say in your class descriptions how clients pay.

Private reformer sessions suit clients working on a specific goal, coming back after an injury with their health professional's agreement, or who prefer not to train in a group. Duo sessions let two people share the cost. Create them as separate services with a single place, or two for a duo, and open them in the hours when the reformers aren't used for classes. Describe what the session includes, and ask clients to use the optional booking note to say what they'd like to work on.