Pilates Training Essentials
Rethink Pilates for Clinical Practice.
You know Exercise Prescription. Now learn when and how to choose Pilates.
Melbourne 2026
Pilates Isn’t The Problem.
Knowing when and how to use it is.
Master clinical decision-making for Pilates integration, systematic progression frameworks, and confident coaching. This is the workshop that transforms Pilates from "nice to have" into a clinical reasoning tool you can apply with confidence.
From Pilates Curious To Pilates Confident.
Learn practical Pilates prescription that integrates with your exercise therapy approach. Master systematic assessment for Pilates suitability, evidence-informed progression frameworks, and coaching techniques for mat and reformer. Bridge the gap between traditional Pilates certification and clinical physiotherapy practice with immediately applicable frameworks.
A natural progression for Exercise Prescription Essentials graduates and an essential addition to your exercise therapy toolkit.
Move from uncertainty to confident clinical integration with practical skills that enhance patient outcomes
Workshop Content
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When to choose Pilates vs other exercise modalities, assessment framework for Pilates suitability, patient selection and clinical decision-making, and integrating Pilates into comprehensive rehab programs.
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Essential Pilates principles for physiotherapy application, movement quality assessment and cueing, breathing and core concepts, movement control, and clinical modifications for pathology presentations.
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Essential mat repertoire for clinical practice, systematic progression framework for mat exercises, clinical modifications for common musculoskeletal and sports presentations, and program design principles for mat-based rehab
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Core reformer exercises for rehabilitation applications, spring resistance principles and clinical decision-making, systematic progression strategies on reformer, and equipment adaptation for different musculoskeletal and sports presentations.
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Pilates session structure and programming principles, integration with gym-based and functional training, systematic progression across weeks and months, and managing load and complexity for clinical populations
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Pilates coaching cues and movement corrections, building patient confidence and autonomy, troubleshooting common movement patterns, and real-world clinical integration and caseload management.
Do These Patient Scenarios Sound Familiar?
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David's Chronic Low Back Pain
He needs improved fitness, physcial capacity and movement confidence. He’s tried generic “core exercises” but consistency in training is poor. You think Pilates might help, but you're uncertain if it's clinically appropriate or just another health and fitness trend. How do you make that decision confidently?
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Rebecca's Knee Osteoarthritis
She needs strength and movement quality but gym-based exercises feel too intimidating. You wonder if Pilates could provide the right loading environment, but you don't know how to progress systematically or when to transition her to traditional strength training.
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Jennifer's Return To Activity
At 58, she's been sedentary for years and wants to return to the gym. She needs movement foundations before loaded training, but you're unsure if Pilates is the right bridge or just delaying what she really needs. How do you integrate it strategically?
You're confident in your exercise prescription skills. You understand progression principles and clinical decision-making.
But when it comes to Pilates, you're uncertain.
When to choose it? How to progress it? How to integrate it?
Who Is This Workshop For?
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Physiotherapists who want to integrate Pilates into their clinical practice confidently
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Exercise Prescription Essentials graduates seeking to expand their exercise therapy toolkit
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Clinicians who want clinical reasoning frameworks, not just exercise repertoire
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You’re new to Pilates and wanting essential clinical skills, not comprehensive instructor training.
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Those frustrated by traditional certifications that are too long, expensive, or non-clinical
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Practitioners ready to make Pilates a strategic clinical tool, not just an alternative option
We highly recommend completing Exercise Prescription Essentials first - it provides the foundational patient engagement and exercise prescription frameworks that this workshop builds upon.
However, if you already have strong exercise prescription foundations, you can take this as a standalone course.
Your Instructor
John Contreras
APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist
B.Physio (Hons) B.Sc M.ExSci (Strength & Conditioning) M.Sports Physio
John created this workshop after seeing too many physiotherapists intimidated by Pilates or overwhelmed by lengthy instructor certifications that focussed on aspects of Pilates not specific to clinical practice.
With 24 years of clinical experience integrating Pilates into physiotherapy practice, John has developed accessible, evidence-informed approaches that bridge traditional Pilates training with clinical reasoning. His workshops focus on practical application and systematic decision-making, helping physiotherapists confidently integrate Pilates as a clinical tool rather than memorising comprehensive repertoire
This workshop combines technical excellence with real-world application, helping early-career Physios, and those looking to refine their practice, develop both Pilates competence and confidence.
What Makes This Workshop Different
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Clinical Reasoning Focused
Learn when to choose Pilates, how to progress systematically, and how to integrate strategically - not just exercise repertoire.
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Essentials, Not Everything
Master the essential mat and reformer exercises that matter for clinical practice - immediately applicable without overwhelming certification requirements.
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Evidence Informed Integration
Every framework backed by research and 24 years of clinical experience integrating Pilates into Physiotherapy practice.
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Physiotherapy Specific
Designed for clinical application, not studio instruction - bridging traditional Pilates training with physiotherapy scope and reasoning.
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Immediately Applicable
Use these frameworks with your very next patient - systematic decision-making tools, progression principles, and program design templates.
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Natural Progession
Builds on Exercise Prescription Essentials foundations to expand your exercise therapy toolkit strategically and confidently.
Ready To Make Pilates A Clinical Tool?
Melbourne 2026
Join the 2026 waitlist for early access and early bird pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nothing immediately! The waitlist is free and requires no payment or commitment. You’re simply expressing interest in the next 2026 workshop but you’ll get early access to registrations and secure early bird pricing. With spots limited, it’s worth it.
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The Pilates Training Essentials course will be held in Melbourne in 2026. Specific dates and venue details will be announced to waitlist members in early 2026 first.
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Your registration includes the full 2-day workshop, comprehensive course workbook, downloadable resources and frameworks, lunch and refreshments, 14 CPD hours, and ongoing access to a graduate community for continued support.
-
This is a comprehensive 2-day intensive workshop covering all 6 modules (approximately 14 hours of content plus breaks). The format allows for interactive practice, case study discussions, and real-time Q&A throughout.
-
While designed specifically for physiotherapists with 0-8 years of experience, the adherence-focused content and systematic frameworks are valuable for any physio and health professional wanting to improve patient engagement and build their exercise therapy caseload.
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Yes! While this isn't a hands-on skills workshop, you'll participate in case study discussions, practice assessment frameworks, design programs collaboratively, and engage in coaching conversation exercises throughout both days.
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Bring comfortable clothing suitable for movement demonstrations, a notebook, laptop or device, and an open mind ready to challenge traditional approaches to exercise prescription. All course materials and frameworks will be provided via electronic resources.
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Lunch and refreshments (morning tea, afternoon tea) are included both days. This allows networking time with fellow participants without needing to leave the venue.
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This course is designed for Physiotherapists who want to integrate Pilates into their clinical practice with confidence. It's ideal if you're uncertain when to choose Pilates vs other interventions, how to progress systematically, or how to integrate Pilates into broader rehab programs. This is clinical reasoning training, not traditional Pilates certification.
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We highly recommend it. Exercise Prescription Essentials provides the foundational patient engagement, exercise prescription, and program design frameworks that this workshop builds upon. EPE graduates can focus entirely on Pilates-specific clinical reasoning without re-covering fundamental concepts. However, if you already have strong exercise prescription foundations from other training, you can take this as a standalone course.
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Yes, if you have solid exercise prescription foundations. We'll teach essential Pilates principles and exercises from the ground up, but we won't spend time on basic exercise prescription concepts (that's what EPE covers). You'll learn what you need to integrate Pilates clinically without prior Pilates experience.
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Absolutely. Traditional certifications excel at teaching comprehensive repertoire but often lack clinical reasoning frameworks for Physiotherapy practice. This workshop teaches you when to choose Pilates vs other interventions, how to integrate it into rehab programs, and how to make systematic clinical decisions - skills traditional certifications don't address.
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Traditional certifications are comprehensive, expensive, and time-intensive (often 50+ hours over months). They teach extensive repertoire with minimal clinical reasoning. This workshop is 2 days focused on essential exercises and clinical decision-making frameworks. You'll leave knowing when and how to use Pilates clinically, not just how to teach exercises.
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This workshop qualifies you to integrate Pilates into your Physiotherapy practice with clinical reasoning and essential repertoire. It's not designed to make you a comprehensive Pilates instructor - it's designed to make Pilates a strategic tool in your exercise therapy approach. If you want to offer dedicated Pilates classes, traditional certification may be more appropriate.
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Tradition Pilates courses focuses on teaching exercises to healthy populations for wellness and fitness. This workshop teaches clinical application - when Pilates is appropriate for specific pathologies, how to modify for limitations, how to integrate with other rehab modalities, and how to progress systematically within physiotherapy scope.
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This is the only workshop that comprehensively addresses the coaching of exercise adherence alongside technical skills. You'll learn not just what to prescribe, but how to work with the human factors that determine whether patients actually follow through.
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We limit the workshop to 30 participants to ensure quality interaction, personalised attention, and opportunities for case discussion. This intimate format allows for meaningful peer learning and direct access to the instructor.
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Absolutely! We offer group discounts for clinics sending 3 or more physiotherapists. This also helps build consistent approaches across your team. Contact us for group pricing details.
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Yes, this workshop provides 14 CPD hours and you’ll receive a certificate of completion.
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Yes! The first 30 registrations receive founding member pricing. Waitlist members will be notified 48 hours before public announcement, giving you first access to early bird rates.
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If demand is strong, we'll consider additional dates in Melbourne or other Australian cities. Join the waitlist to express your interest and be notified of future workshops in your area.
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Full refund available up to 4 weeks before the workshop date. Between 4-2 weeks: 50% refund. Within 2 weeks: no refund, but you can transfer your registration to another physiotherapist or a future workshop date.
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We're exploring an online version to reach physiotherapists who can't attend in person. Join the waitlist to be notified first about any future online offerings or additional face-to-face dates in other locations.
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Mat and reformer represent the essential equipment for Physiotherapy based Pilates practice. They provide the greatest versatility and accessibility for rehabilitation applications. Rather than overwhelming you with comprehensive equipment coverage, we focus on mastering the clinical reasoning and progression principles that matter most.
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This is a 2-day intensive in-person workshop in Melbourne (2026 dates TBC). You'll receive hands-on practice with both mat and reformer, practical application time, and systematic frameworks you can implement immediately. Specific schedule details will be released shortly.
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No. The workshop includes hands-on practice with equipment during the 2 days. For clinical implementation afterward, mat work requires no equipment. However, access to a reformer is highly recommended. We'll discuss practical implementation strategies during the workshop.
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These courses are complementary additions to your exercise therapy toolkit. Pilates Training Essentials teaches when and how to use Pilates for movement quality, control, and specific clinical presentations. Strength Training Essentials (separate course) focuses on strength development principles using typical resistance training tools such as free weights, resistance bands and body weight. Together with Exercise Prescription Essentials, they form a comprehensive exercise therapy skillset.
You Don’t Need To Be A Pilates Expert.
You need to be a confident clinician.
Skip the lengthy certifications. Learn the essential Pilates skills that actually matter for clinical practice. This course demystifies Pilates and gives you exactly what you need. Nothing more, nothing less.
Pilates Skills, Designed For Busy Physiotherapists
Most Pilates training takes months and costs thousands because it's designed to create Pilates instructors, not Pilates informed physiotherapists. This course is different. In just 2 days, you'll master practical clinical application with evidence-based frameworks for 1:1 patient and small group sessions. Learn the essential exercises that matter for musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation, develop professional coaching skills for effective patient instruction, and gain systematic program design tools you can integrate into practice immediately. No overwhelming complexity. No unnecessary fitness variations. Just focused, practical skills for confident Physiotherapy based Pilates.
Workshop Content
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Systematic assessment framework, evidence informed exercise selection hierachy, clinical reasoning under uncertainty, safety and risk management.
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A framework for exercise modifications, tissue adaptation timelines, evidence informed dosage parameters, strategic regression approaches.
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Building a working relationship and trust, exercise education that makes sense, coaching fundamentals and managing adherence barriers.
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Understanding exercise adherence, working with fear-avoidance and self-efficacy, collaborative program design, rehab coaching and motivation models.
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Evidence informed program templates, choice architecture, complex case management, 6 week foundation principle.
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Real world integration strategies, working under constraints, advanced problem solving, professional development planning.
Do These Patients Sound Familiar?
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Sarah's Perfectionism
She has the strength and she’s ready to progress. But fear of re-injury holds her back. Your well designed ACL program sits unused because she’s convinced she’s ‘not ready’ to move forward.
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Mike's Skepticism
He questions every exercise choice you make. Your evidence-based rationale doesn’t land. He’s done “everything before” and nothing worked. How do you build trust when he doubts from day one?
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Emma's Anxiety
She avoids movements despite your reassurance and education. Fear dominates every session. Your professional communication skills aren’t enough to help her move forward.
You understand anatomy, pathology, and evidence-based exercise progression. Your exercise programs are comprehensive and clinically sound.
But something’s still missing.
Who Is This Workshop For?
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You’re a Physio or health professional with 0-6 years experience wanting practical Pilates skills without lengthy certification.
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You work with musculoskeletal or sporting rehabilitation populations and want to include a Pilates approach in your management planning.
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You’re looking to develop an evidence-informed Pilates approach to your rehabilitation practice.
-
You’re new to Pilates and wanting essential clinical skills, not comprehensive instructor training.
-
You’re wanting to integrate Pilates within your Physiotherapy scope.
-
You’re short on time but want immediate applicable skills.
Your Instructor
John Contreras
APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist
B.Physio (Hons) B.Sc M.ExSci (Strength & Conditioning) M.Sports Physio
John created this workshop after seeing too many physiotherapists intimidated by Pilates or overwhelmed by lengthy instructor certifications that focussed on aspects of Pilates not specific to clinical practice.
With over 20 years of integrating Pilates into physiotherapy practice, John knows exactly what skills matter and what's unnecessary complexity. He's stripped away the fitness-focused fluff and distilled Pilates down to its essential clinical applications.
"Most Pilates training is designed to create Pilates Instructors, not Pilates informed Physiotherapists. I created this workshop to teach Physios exactly what they need—nothing more, nothing less."
This workshop guides physiotherapists in how to confidently integrate Pilates into their clinical practice without spending months or thousands on unnecessary certification. With 24 years of clinical experience and a passion for bridging the gap between evidence and practice, John has developed comprehensive education programs for physiotherapists across Australia and internationally. His workshops combine technical excellence with real-world application, helping early-career Physios, and those looking to refine their practice, develop both exercise therapy competence and confidence.
What Makes This Workshop Different
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Exercise Adherence Focused
Learn why some patients stay committed, why others quit - and what to do about it.
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Human Centred
Understand the human factors that make programs work and your work more fulfilling.
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Evidence Informed
Every framework backed by research and clinical experience.
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Immediately Applicable
Use these simple and effective frameworks with your very next patient.
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Bridge The Gap
You learned the technical skills. Now explore how to make them truely effective.
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Build Your Ideal Practice
Develop the expertise and confidence to grow the exercise therapy caseload you envisioned.
Ready To Step Up Your Practice?
Melbourne 2026
Join the 2026 waitlist for early access and early bird pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Nothing immediately! The waitlist is free and requires no payment or commitment. You’re simply expressing interest in the March 2026 workshop but you’ll get early access to registrations and secure early bird pricing. With spots limited, it’s worth it.
-
The Exercise Prescription Essentials workshop will be held in Melbourne in late March 2026. Specific dates and venue details will be announced to waitlist members first. Early bird pricing is available for the first 30 registrations.
-
Your registration includes the full 2-day workshop, comprehensive course workbook, downloadable resources and frameworks, lunch and refreshments, 14 CPD hours, and ongoing access to a graduate community for continued support.
-
This is a comprehensive 2-day intensive workshop covering all 6 modules (approximately 14 hours of content plus breaks). The format allows for interactive practice, case study discussions, and real-time Q&A throughout.
-
While designed specifically for physiotherapists with 0-8 years of experience, the adherence-focused content and systematic frameworks are valuable for any physio and health professional wanting to improve patient engagement and build their exercise therapy caseload.
-
Yes! While this isn't a hands-on skills workshop, you'll participate in case study discussions, practice assessment frameworks, design programs collaboratively, and engage in coaching conversation exercises throughout both days.
-
Bring comfortable clothing suitable for movement demonstrations, a notebook, laptop or device, and an open mind ready to challenge traditional approaches to exercise prescription. All course materials and frameworks will be provided via electronic resources.
-
Lunch and refreshments (morning tea, afternoon tea) are included both days. This allows networking time with fellow participants without needing to leave the venue.
-
This is the only workshop that comprehensively addresses the coaching of exercise adherence alongside technical skills. You'll learn not just what to prescribe, but how to work with the human factors that determine whether patients actually follow through.
-
We limit the workshop to 30 participants to ensure quality interaction, personalised attention, and opportunities for case discussion. This intimate format allows for meaningful peer learning and direct access to the instructor.
-
Absolutely! We offer group discounts for clinics sending 3 or more physiotherapists. This also helps build consistent approaches across your team. Contact us for group pricing details.
-
Yes, this workshop provides 14 CPD hours and you’ll receive a certificate of completion.
-
Yes! The first 30 registrations receive founding member pricing. Waitlist members will be notified 48 hours before public announcement, giving you first access to early bird rates.
-
If demand is strong, we'll consider additional dates in Melbourne or other Australian cities. Join the waitlist to express your interest and be notified of future workshops in your area.
-
Full refund available up to 4 weeks before the workshop date. Between 4-2 weeks: 50% refund. Within 2 weeks: no refund, but you can transfer your registration to another physiotherapist or a future workshop date.
-
We're exploring an online version to reach physiotherapists who can't attend in person. Join the waitlist to be notified first about any future online offerings or additional face-to-face dates in other locations.