The Power of Fundamentals: Why Athletes Should Stick to the Foundations of Contrology
As an instructor who has worked with many athletes from various disciplines, I can firsthand say how important it is for them to master the basics of Contrology before jumping to advanced exercises. While encouraging athletes to perform more complex movements is very tempting, especially when they are eager to achieve or return to peak form, it is in the basic exercises of Joe Pilates’ work where the magic happens.
I have seen many advanced workshops around the world with titles like “Pilates for Athletes” or “Pilates for…” (insert sport discipline here), or something similar. While these workshops may have a nice presentation, I have never seen a new athlete in Pilates who was ready for most of the work presented in those workshops.
Continuous Need for Basics
Regardless of the sport or age, all athletes – elite or just starting out – must focus on the basics. Contrology is not about impressing others with advanced movements just because someone is an athlete; it is about what Joe stated in his book: “Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects bad posture, and restores physical vitality”. Achieving the goals from Joe’s book will not look impressive in photos in most cases. The beauty of Contrology is that it is simple, yet far from simplistic. As an instructor, your job is to ensure that athletes master the basics to build a solid foundation for their bodies.
Athleticism Doesn’t Matter in Contrology
Athleticism is a great asset in sports, but it does not automatically translate to being an expert in Contrology. Joe Pilates wrote: “How many beginners are astonished and embarrassed (even trained athletes in the spotlight) to discover how few (if any) Contrology exercises they can perform correctly!” Contrology is based on principles that everyone – whether a world-class athlete or a beginner – must first understand in their mind and then in their body to perform these exercises correctly. Movements should be controlled and purposeful. Athletes must learn to activate and engage the right muscles from the center before moving on to more demanding exercises. For most athletes, this requires time and consistency.
Some teachers have said, “But they will get bored doing the same program over and over.” These teachers do not understand what it takes to be a high-level athlete. A person becomes a high-level athlete by performing the same physical and mental efforts repeatedly. Every athlete I have ever worked with loves the consistent regimen they experience in Contrology. They feel their psychological and physical progress and have learned a skill they can perform independently. This independence empowers athletes.
Don’t Risk Injury: Their Career Depends on It
When working with athletes, remember that their bodies are their careers. If you push them too hard, too fast, or introduce them to advanced exercises they are not ready for, you risk causing injury – and that injury could potentially end their career. Even the smallest mistake can lead to long-term damage. Properly training athletes through repetition of the basics reduces the risk of injury and prepares them for long-term success.
Let Coaches Handle Sport-Specific Training
Contrology can be a valuable support for an athlete’s overall conditioning and rehabilitation. However, we are not physical therapists (unless you are a physical therapist), and we are certainly not there to replace the knowledge of their sports coaches. Trust the athlete’s coach to do what they do best – train them for their specific sport. We complement that training by helping the athlete move better, strengthen weak areas, and remain injury-free. As the body is tuned through consistent practice of the fundamentals of Contrology, athletes will gain free performance benefits without even thinking about it.
For the Best Results, Trust the Original Work of Joe
Joseph Pilates designed his method to be accessible and practical for every body type and fitness level. For the best results, working on equipment that resembles Joe’s original designs is essential. Joe Pilates carefully created tools such as the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Barrels to support his work and effectively align the body during movement. Using equipment that aligns with Joe’s original designs ensures that athletes’ bodies are properly tuned and balanced, ultimately providing a solid foundation for their sport and daily life.
Summary
When it comes to Joe Pilates’ work and athletes, the fundamentals are everything. With most athletes, you will only work with them off-season. Therefore, stick to Joe’s original methods, proceed slowly, and ensure that each athlete builds a solid foundation before moving forward. This way, you protect their careers and provide them with the tools to succeed both on and off the field.
Remember that in Joe Pilates’ work with Contrology, often less is more – and for athletes, mastering the basics is always the best way forward.
The text is a translation of the article: https://thecore.pilates.com/the-power-of-basics-why-athletes-should-stick-to-contrology-fundamentals/
Author: Joel Crosby
Jestem trenerem personalnym i instruktorem pilatesu z prawie 30-letnim doświadczeniem. Specjalizuję się w treningu funkcjonalnym, pilatesie klasycznym i rehabilitacji ruchowej. Moja praca polega na pomaganiu ludziom w odzyskiwaniu sprawności, poprawie jakości życia i odkrywaniu radości z ruchu. Współtworzę program Vitality Method, a także dzielę się wiedzą na różnych konferencjach na całym świecie i portalach internetowych związanych z pilatesem.