The History ofPilates

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates almost 100 years ago. Originally it was created for men and called “Controlology.” 

During the 1920s, Joseph Pilates moved to New York where dancers and females gravitated towards its’ unique strengthening and rehabilitative qualities. Its popularity grew amongst Hollywood celebrities in the 70's and it was at this time that it entered the fitness mainstream and became known as “Pilates”. To learn more about Joseph Pilates and the history of Pilates, click here.

Nowadays, Pilates has been compartmentalized. The equipment work is still elusive and relatively unknown whereas the mat work component is readily available at conventional fitness facilities. Mat work however is a mere 20% of the full repertoire and was never designed to be either learned or taught at its exclusion. Pilates is a system of exercises and its intention is to use the entire repertoire as a whole in order to achieve its full benefits. 

Quality Pilates instruction can be found at a full-fledged, equipment studio, by a teacher who is a graduate of an intensive program covering all of the Pilates work. Generally, a knowledgeable teacher is a graduate of a program spanning over one year in length, which includes an apprenticeship program.