Classical Pilates is a holistic system of physical and mental conditioning created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Originally called "Contrology", it emphasises the coordination of mind, body and spirit through controlled movements, conscious concentration and engagement of the body's powerhouse.
The Classical Pilates repertoire consists of a slow, precise and structured sequence of exercises designed to improve posture, lengthen muscles, mobilise and stablise joints and build deep, functional strength at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.
who was joseph pilates?
Joseph Pilates was a German physical trainer who developed the original Classical Pilates method. Born in 1883, he suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Determined to overcome his physical limitations, he studied various forms of exercise including gymnastics, bodybuilding, yoga, and martial arts.
During World War I, Pilates was interned in England as a German national. While in the internment camp, he refined his exercise techniques and began working with injured soldiers, using bed springs to create resistance-based rehabilitation exercises - an innovation that later inspired the design of Classical Pilates equipment like the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Spine Corrector and more. This Classical equipment uses a unique system of springs and pulleys to provide gradually increasing resistance. These engage the limbs while simultaneously activating the stabilising muscle groups - especially the trunk or core, known in Pilates as the “Powerhouse”, to support proper posture and alignment.
After the war, he moved to the United States in 1926 and opened a studio in New York City with his wife Clara. His method quickly gained popularity among dancers, athletes, and performers for its focus on core strength, flexibility, and controlled movement. His legacy continues through a group of his original students, known as the Pilates Elders, who trained directly with him and have passed on his teachings to new generations. Today, Pilates is practiced worldwide and remains a cornerstone of modern fitness and rehabilitation, with some of these Elders still actively teaching well into their 80s.
