Harriet Milne

Pre & Postnatal trained

I have always loved sport and being active, with a particular passion for dance, gymnastics and trampolining right into my twenties. Movement was something I naturally gravitated towards – it gave me energy, focus and a sense of freedom. After a brief spell in the Army, where fitness was integral to the working day, I trained as an Exercise to Music instructor to balance the stress of my corporate City role, where finding regular opportunities to move felt much harder. Two of my favourite class instructors encouraged me to give teaching a go myself, and it turned out to be a defining moment – a genuine case of turning a hobby into a job. As my career evolved and my family commitments grew, the corporate world gradually fell away and the fitness side expanded. Over time, that initial love of teaching group classes developed into a deeper interest in how bodies move, recover and get stronger for life. What started as a passion alongside work became my full-time career and long-term passion project.

 

How has your background shaped the way you coach movement today?

My corporate background plays a surprisingly important role in how I work today. I previously worked in People and Change Management, focusing on how physical environments influence collaboration, ways of working, and – crucially – how to create lasting behaviour change. That understanding now underpins how I coach movement: not just what people should do, but how they actually build habits that stick. Alongside this, I’m a qualified Pilates teacher and personal trainer with a strong focus on functional fitness, movement quality, injury recovery and long-term resilience, rather than quick fixes or extreme approaches.

My training includes:

L2 Exercise to Music Instructor

Les Mills Body Balance Instructor

L3 Exercise Prescription in Pre and Postnatal Exercise

Les Mills CXWORX / Core Instructor

L3 Diploma in Gym Instruction and Personal Training

Advanced Diploma in Nutrition and Weight Management

L3 Pilates Diploma

L4 Instructing Mat Pilates

L4 Exercise Therapist

Precision Nutrition L1 Certification (ongoing)

Precision Nutrition Advanced Certificate in Change Psychology (ongoing)

Alongside Pilates, my work is grounded in:

Functional strength training

Supporting clients managing pain, injury or returning after setbacks

Working with people through pregnancy, midlife, hormonal changes and busy lives

Designing structured programmes that balance strength, mobility, stability and personal confidence

 

Who do you most enjoy working with, and why is building confidence such a key part of your teaching?

I love being part of people’s developmental journey and supporting them as they grow in confidence, strength and understanding of their own bodies. One of the things I enjoy most is taking what can feel like “textbook” movement or theory and making it meaningful, accessible and relevant — and seeing the moment when it truly clicks for someone.

I’m deeply invested in making sure every client and class participant gets the very best from each interaction, whether that’s through clear teaching, thoughtful progressions or simply creating an environment where people feel supported to try. I aim to teach in a way that inspires confidence and motivation, in the same way the instructors who first encouraged me to teach had such a lasting impact on me.

 

Are there any types of clients you particularly enjoy working with?

I especially love working with men and women who are motivated but busy, and who want support in making movement work realistically alongside everything else in life. I enjoy helping people find approaches that are effective, sustainable and genuinely doable. I also really enjoy working with those who may feel nervous, cautious or unsure where to start. Building confidence is a big part of my work, and I love supporting people as they begin to trust their bodies again and realise they are capable of more than they expected — in a way that feels safe, friendly and encouraging.

Many of the people I work with have found it difficult to make other forms of exercise work for them, often because their bodies feel a little “wonky”, stiff or unpredictable. I’m particularly drawn to clients who want to work hard, but who also understand the value of good technique, thoughtful progression and moving well — rather than charging in like a bull in a china shop.

 

How would you describe your classes?

Strong, supportive, intelligent, playful, empowering

What do you hope someone feels when they leave one of your classes?

I want people to leave my classes understanding what they’ve worked and why. Feeling strong — perhaps a little tired from honest effort — but also confident, capable and reassured that they’re moving well.

I hope every session feels both challenging and uplifting, with an element of fun alongside purposeful work. Just as importantly, I want people to feel completely comfortable asking questions, seeking advice and having open conversations about their movement, knowing they’re in a supportive and judgement-free space.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching?

When I’m not teaching, I’m usually spending time with my family, dog walking, getting outdoors, experimenting with food and recipes, or planning and testing out new programmes and ideas for Priorities Fitness. I love learning, creating, and finding ways to make movement fit into real life – not the other way around. I also love science and history podcasts, musical theatre and any book with a love interest and dragons or Greek gods in it!

What’s the one thing you’d love every client to know about movement and their body?

My philosophy is simple: movement should support your life, not compete with it. Do what makes you feel good, what challenges you in the right way, and what keeps you coming back — because consistency and enjoyment matter far more than perfection.

Bodies are wonderfully individual, and having quirks, niggles or areas that don’t move exactly “as they should” is completely normal. In fact, it’s part of what makes every body capable, interesting and unique — and it’s precisely what I love helping people work with, not against.