Pilates: The History, The Method, and Why It Still Matters Today

When people walk into our studio, they often ask - “Where did Pilates actually come from?”

It’s easy to think of it as a modern fitness trend, but Pilates has roots that go back over a century. Its story begins with a man named Joseph Pilates, a visionary who believed that true health came from the balance of body and mind.

The Origins of Pilates

Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. As a child, he was often unwell - suffering from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Determined to strengthen his body, he studied yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts. Over time, he developed his own system of exercises designed to build strength, flexibility, and control.

During World War I, he worked as a nurse and started training injured soldiers using makeshift springs attached to hospital beds ,this is where the idea for the Reformer machine was born. His goal wasn’t just rehabilitation; it was about restoring movement and vitality to the whole person.

He later moved to New York City in the 1920s, where he and his wife Clara opened the first Pilates studio. Dancers, athletes, and actors began flocking to their space because Pilates helped them move better, recover faster, and feel stronger from the inside out.

From Contrology to Modern Reformer Pilates

Originally called Contrology, Joseph’s method focused on precise, controlled movements guided by breath and alignment.

Today, Reformer Pilates keeps that same philosophy, but with modern science, variety, and accessibility. The reformer machine, with its moving carriage, springs, and pulleys, offers resistance that challenges stability, strength, and focus all at once.

It’s not just for dancers or athletes anymore. Whether you’re sitting at a desk all day, recovering from an injury, or just wanting to feel stronger, Reformer Pilates can meet you where you are.

Why It Matters in Everyday Life

We live in a world that constantly pulls us forward - phones, screens, deadlines, and long hours at a desk. Over time, this creates tension, poor posture, and pain.

Pilates acts as a reset button. Re-align your posture, make your whole body stronger and move through life easier.

It helps you reconnect to your body, strengthen your core, and improve balance, posture, and mobility- things that make daily life feel easier and more effortless.

At The Pilates Club, we see this transformation every day: clients who stand taller, move with confidence, and rediscover joy in how their bodies feel.

A Practice for Life

Joseph Pilates once said:

“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.”

Pilates isn’t just a workout - it’s a practice that strengthens your body and your mind. Whether you’re at the start of your journey or already hooked on the Reformer, each class is an invitation to come home to yourself.

Ready to start your journey?
Join us for a class at The Pilates Club - where movement meets mindfulness, and community meets strength.