The Essentials Series
From Competent To Confident Practice
Three Courses | Three Months | Complete Transformation
May - June - July 2026 | Melbourne
Each course in The Essentials Series can also be attended separately. Melbourne dates announced Feb 2026
The Essentials Series
By John Contreras (APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist)
Where evidence meets everyday practice to help you build your exercise therapy expertise.
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2 days face to face learning
Exercise Selection & Progression Frameworks
Patient Engagement & Exercise Adherence
Collaborative Rehab Design
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2 days face to face learning
Early rehabilitation integration
When and how to use Pilates
Systematic frameworks for assessment and progression
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2 days face to face learning
Progressive loading and strength development
Essential movement patterns & coaching
Systematic strength programming through rehab
After delivering successful workshops across Australia and internationally, I’ve refined three complementary courses into The Essentials Series - comprehensive education designed specifically for Physiotherapists and health professionals with 0-7 years experience who want to build and consolidate a confident, exercise-based approach to injury management and return to activity.
- John Contreras
Exercise Prescription | Pilates Training | Strength Training
A Systematic Approach To Exercise Therapy
On their own, each course is valuable. Together, they transform your practice.
Exercise Prescription Essentials
The Foundation Every Exercise-Based Physio NeedsMay 2026 | Melbourne | 2 Days
Pilates Training Essentials
Pilates Training Integration for Early RehabilitationJune 2026 | Melbourne | 2 Days
Strength Training for Mid-Late RehabilitationJuly 2026 | Melbourne | 2 Days
Strength Training Essentials
What Makes The Essentials Series Different?
This isn't another certification program.
This is refined, practical education that works:
Evidence-informed practice
Young clinician focused
Exercise therapy integration into clinical practice
Systematic frameworks
Immediately applicable
Choose Your Learning Path
Three Ways To Build Your Exercise Therapy Expertise
Option 1:
Start with Exercise Prescription Essentials
Master exercise selection and progression frameworks, patient engagement, exercise adherence, movement coaching, and collaborative rehab program design.
Best for:
Building exercise-based practice foundations
Frustrated by patient adherence challenges
You’re seeking systematic engagement frameworks first
Your Journey:
May 2026 Exercise Prescription Essentials
then add Pilates Training Essentials or Strength Training Essentials
Option 2:
Jump straight to Pilates Training Essentials or Strength Training Essentials
Already confident with exercise prescription, rehab program design and patient engagement? Begin with either Pilates Training Essentials or Strength Training Essentials.
Best for:
Strong existing exercise prescription skills
Specific exercise interest (Pilates or Strength Training)
Want clinical integration frameworks for Pilates or Strength Training
You Journey:
June 2026 Pilates Training Essentials, or
July 2026 Strength Training Essentials
Option 3:
The Essentials Series
All three courses; Exercise Prescription Essentials, Pilates Training Essentials, Strength Training Essentials. Complete exercise therapy transformation.
Ideally for the new graduate or young clinician aiming to develop exercise therapy expertise.
Best for:
Committed to comprehensive up-skilling
Want full rehabilitation continuum coverage
Building exercise-focused career long-term
You Journey:
May 2026 Exercise Prescription Essentials
June 2026 Pilates Training Essentials
July 2026 Strength Training Essentials
Not Sure Which Path To Take?
Email info@johncontreras.physio to discuss which course or bundle best fits your practice development goals.
We’ll help you choose the right starting point.
Meet John
APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist, B.Physio (Hons). B.Sc. M.ExSci (S&C), M.Sports Physio
24 years of clinical experience refined into practical education
Based in Melbourne, John has spent over two decades combining Physiotherapy, Strength & Conditioning, and Pilates to help patients build genuine, lasting relationships with exercise. He believes that this clinical approach, combining three distinct but complementary frameworks, isn't about being a jack-of-all-trades. It's about having the right tool for the right moment in each patient's journey—from acute injury through to high performance.
The Essentials Series FAQs
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No. Each course can be completed individually. If you don’t wish to complete all three, then select what's most relevant to your practice right now. You can add others later.
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It’s recommended, but not required. Exercise Prescription Essentials provides the key foundations that make exercise therapy, Pilates and strength training more effective. However, if you already have strong exercise prescription skills, you can simply begin with Pilates or Strength Training.
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Every course includes:
2-day in-person teaching
All digital materials and framework toolkits
Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea both days
30 day email implementation support
CPD certificate
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Choose the one most relevant to your current practice challenges. All the courses from The Essentials Series will be run again in 2027.
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They will be held in Melbourne with parking and public transport access. Venue details to be confirmed.