The History of Joseph Pilates

Joseph Hubertus Pilates, born near Düsseldorf in 1880. A sickly child who suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, he dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger. He died at the grand old age of 87.

Joseph had no formal training in physical therapy but looked at elements of various activities to develop a system of exercise that became his trademark. From self-defence to circus training J Pilates was by no means conventional in his approach to physical fitness.

In 1912 Pilates came to England, where he earned his living with skills related to this physical fitness. Amongst his many jobs was that of circus performer! When the First World War broke out he became a nurse in a prisoner of war camp and became renowned for his physical activity programme that was believed to have spared the lives of men in his care as they survived a massive influenza epidemic that killed 1000s. His work with war veterans including those with injuries and even loss of limbs resulted in him gaining knowledge of rehabilitation from first hand experience and results.

In 1926 he moved to America and met his wife Clara, eventually opening an exercise studio on Eighth Avenue and becoming known to virtually every dance in New York.

Pilates was always ahead of his time if not somewhat quirky. However his philosophy was on the integration of the mind and body. Therefore his techniques were a combination of physical and mental conditioning.

As with many true geniuses J Pilates never did live to reap the benefits of his innovation. He never set up a formal training programme. Indeed his programme of exercises varied from client to client. Even today we are not sure of what true and pure Pilates really is. The name and tradition of Pilates is a lengthy one, which was surrounded by litigation in the States for many years.