The Contrology Ped-O-Pul

I was introduced to the Ped-O-Pul during my comprehensive teacher training in Germany. Back then, I don’t think I quite understood the true meaning of this apparatus. Several years later, I visited Vintage Pilates for the first time and had a lesson with Karen Frischmann. She had me work on the Ped-O-Pul towards the end of our lesson. What I remember clearly is, how I had this huge “Aha moment” doing “Centering” for the first time. Suddenly, I had this feeling of freedom in my shoulders paired with elongation in my spine and a deep grounding through my feet.

Ever since, this is one of my absolute favorite exercises not only on the Ped-O-Pul but also within the entire Pilates system.

This piece of equipment is as important as every other piece of apparatus when practicing and teaching Pilates. That’s something I did learn during my participation in “The Work” at Vintage Pilates in 2015.

When I moved from California to North Carolina in 2017, I went from teaching in a fully equipped Classical Pilates Studio to working out of my little home studio. While I had every other piece of apparatus, I didn’t own a Ped-O-Pul at that time. My studio just never felt complete without it and when the Contrology Ped-O-Pul was launched, I got it right away.

It’s always a big celebration when I get a new piece of equipment delivered – and that was certainly true for the Ped-O-Pul as well. As soon as it was out of the box and assembled, I was on it to try it out. The first thing I noticed was the longer pole and I was really curious to see how that would feel. The Contrology Ped-O-Pul did not disappoint. I could immediately feel the deeper level of connection it gave me. All the Contrology springs are kind of in a category of their own – and these springs are no exception. I do love how these springs, while strong and challenging, still move with ease and fluidity. I never feel like I have to fight them. Quite the contrary, they help me to work deeper from my center so not to overuse my arms or shoulders.