History of Pilates

"Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness."

Joseph H. Pilates (1880-1967)

Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born near Dussledorf, Germany in 1880. As a child, he suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. This led him to explore ways in which to strengthen his body. He studied a variety of exercise methods, including yoga, zen meditation, karate, ancient Greek and Roman physical regimens and gymnastics. Reports are that by the time he was 14, he had so developed his body that he was modeling for anatomy charts. He became an accomplished boxer, gymnast, skier and diver.

In 1912, Joe moved to England, where he held a variety of jobs. When World War I broke out in 1914, Joe was interned in a "camp" for enemy aliens (he was a German living in England). While in these camps, he worked in hospitals taking care of the ill. In sharing his exercise methods, he became creative and used the materials available to him; bed springs were removed and re-attached to walls above the beds for patients to use to exercise with while lying down. These techniques, which he termed "Contrology", formed the basis for his appartus that would later be named the Universal Reformer, the Wunda Chair, the Cadillac and what is now known as the mat work on the floor.

After the war, Joe returned to Germany, where he continued his quest and work in fitness. He also took on personal training clients. Joe was soon enticed to come to the United States by one of these clients, heavyweight boxer, Max Schmelling. Joe had helped train Max, who was looking to come to America and further promote his boxing career. In 1926, on the boat trip over, Joe met the woman who would become his wife, Clara. Once in the United States, they set up their first studio at 939 Eight Avenue, New York. Over time, their work attracted people in the theater business, including George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Laurence Olivier and Katherine Hepburn.

During his lifetime, Joe worked on creating new exercise apparatus in a workshop behind his studio. He often worked with his brother, Fred. They ran a small business together. In 1945 they had some of their apparatus trademarked. Currently there are 4 or 5 major manufacturers of Pilates equipment. The Gratz company is considered by many at the most traditional and is the company originally chosen by Romana Kryzanowska, the Pilates successor picked by Joe and Clara to continue their teachings. Other companies include Stott, Peak Pilates and Balanced Body.

Joseph Pilates died in 1967 of emphysema, at the age of 87. His wife, Clara, often regarded as the better teacher, continued to teach and run the studio until her death in 1977.

Note:  This is a very brief biography on Joseph Pilates just to give you a bit of background.  As time goes on and several key figures in the Pilates community explore the past, more information is found.  There are now old videos, magazine articles and interviews with the First Generation Instructors/Elders that have revealed a much more interesting history of both Joseph and Clara Pilates.  Please feel free to contact Cathy for more information on these sources of information.