The name itself comes from the founder, Joseph Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1883 and became interested in the health of the human body to overcome his own sicknesses as a child. Studying every form of movement from boxing to diving, the exercise method he created was originally called Contrology and was practiced mostly by men. On his journey over to the United States in the mid-1920s he met his wife, Clara, who was a skilled nurse. The combination of their background and expertise led to the creation of what we know as Pilates today. The duo set up their first studio in New York in 1926, immediately garnering the attention of the dancing world who recognized the value of Pilates for not only enhancing their performance but also for rehabilitation.
W
hen you hear the word
Pilates, most of you
probably start to conjure
up images of the long-limbed dancer-type physique; the woman holding her body in a perfect v-shape with slender toned arms and abs. This idea that Pilates is for dancers or is a more feminine exercise belies the true value and usefulness of Pilates for all genders and body types.