Joseph Pilates, born in Germany in 1880, was a man of diverse interests and accomplishments, including gymnastics, diving, skiing and boxing.  He entered the world as a frail, weak child, and through his own persistence and learning he eventually came to help thousands of people retrain and reshape their bodies.  His desire to strengthen his own body led him to create his program of body conditioning, which became known as ‘Pilates’. 

Though Pilates had no formal training in medicine, during World War I, he worked as a nurse at a British internment camp, and came up with the idea of attaching springs to hospital beds to assist patients in becoming stronger before they were able to leave their beds.  These exercises led him to create an apparatus he called the “Universal Reformer,” along with mat exercises he called “Contrology.” 

Shortly after World War I, Pilates returned home to Germany to perfect his regimen.  The German government wanted him to train the new German army, but Pilates wanted to heal, not train others to harm.  Pilates decided to leave Germany, and in 1926 he packed his bags and left for the United States.  On the ship over to the U.S. he met Clara, a nurse, who later became his wife and life-long professional partner.

Pilates had a clear goal, to share his effective method and help others. Although he didn’t know how to find clients, he knew who they were; people who had a similarly strong interest in strength and good health.  In New York, he’d have ready made clients....dancers.

He and Clara looked for a small space near the dance district in which to teach his method. 

Using his savings, Pilates opened the first Pilates Studio at 939 Eighth Ave.

Pilates commitment got him noticed.  He began working with dancers of the New York City Ballet under George Balanchine.  Martha Graham became a devotee too, an other athletes and performers followed.

Dance Magazine in its February 1956 issue reported: “At some time or other virtually every dancer in New York---has meekly submitted to the spirited instruction of Joe Pilates.”