Rooted in Strength: How Pilates Came to Life

Most people know Pilates as a way to build core strength, improve flexibility, and support better posture. But what’s less known is where it all began. Learning the history behind Pilates gives the practice more meaning—and shows just how powerful it really is.

Here’s a closer look at how Pilates came to life and how it’s evolved over the last hundred years.

Who Created Pilates?

The method was created by Joseph Hubertus Pilates, born in Germany in 1883. As a child, he dealt with several health issues—things like asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Those early struggles pushed him to study the body and find ways to become stronger and more resilient.

Joseph pulled from a wide range of disciplines, including gymnastics, boxing, yoga, martial arts, and even how animals moved. All of this came together to form his unique system, which he called Contrology. His goal was to connect the mind and body through focused, controlled movement.

Pilates During World War I

Joseph was interned in a camp in England during World War I, and it was there that he began refining his method. He worked with injured soldiers, helping them rebuild strength and mobility using basic resistance techniques. In some cases, he attached springs to hospital beds—an idea that later inspired the creation of the Pilates reformer.

These early efforts weren’t just about staying fit—they were about helping the body heal, move with purpose, and rebuild from the inside out.

Pilates Comes to America

In the 1920s, Joseph moved to New York City and opened a studio with his wife, Clara. Dancers and athletes became some of his first regular students. They were drawn to the way his method helped with injury prevention, recovery, and overall performance.

Eventually, the name “Contrology” faded and people simply started calling it what we do today—Pilates.

His original mat-based and equipment-based exercises are still central to the practice.

Types of Pilates Today

Since then, Pilates has grown and changed in many ways. Today, there are several styles that suit different people and needs. While the core ideas remain the same, how they’re applied can vary:

• Classical Pilates sticks closely to Joseph’s original sequence and equipment.

• Contemporary Pilates blends the traditional method with new research and modern movement science.

• Reformer Pilates uses spring-loaded machines to create resistance and variety.

• Mat Pilates is equipment-free and focuses on bodyweight exercises, making it easy to do anywhere.

• Hot Pilates is a more recent trend, performed in a heated room (around 95°F/35°C). The heat adds intensity, supports detox through sweat, and increases endurance—while keeping the same core principles of breath and control.

With so many variations, it’s easy to find a version of Pilates that fits your goals—whether that’s recovery, strength-building, or something more dynamic.

What Makes Pilates Different?

One of the reasons Pilates continues to be so popular is because of what it focuses on:

• Moving with control, not speed

• Using breath to guide movement

• Activating deep core muscles, known as the “powerhouse”

• Improving posture, alignment, and overall balance

It’s often recommended for physical therapy, cross-training, and general wellness because it can be adapted for almost any age, fitness level, or body type.

The Legacy Lives On

Pilates is now practiced around the world. It’s taught in studios, rehab centers, online, and in group fitness spaces—but at its core, the method hasn’t changed. It’s still about being present in your body, moving with intention, and building strength that lasts.

If you’re new to it, a good place to start is with mat Pilates, which requires no equipment. As you get more comfortable, you can explore reformer classes or other styles. What you wear also makes a difference—clothing that moves with you helps you focus on the work, not the distractions. You can check out some great beginner-friendly options right here, designed for comfort and flexibility on and off the mat.

---

Pilates began as one man’s solution to personal weakness—but it grew into something much bigger. Today, it’s a method rooted in resilience, balance, and thoughtful movement. And that original purpose is still what makes it so effective, no matter where or how you practice.