Joseph Hubertus Pilates, the founder of the Pilates method, was born in Mönchengladbach on 9 December 1883. His childhood was characterised by health challenges, which inspired him to intensively study various sports and the human anatomy. This early fascination ultimately led him to develop his unique training method.
From Germany to England
In the early 1910s, Pilates moved to England, where he initially worked as a boxer and circus performer. During the First World War, he was sent to an internment camp on the Isle of Man as a German citizen. There he began to refine his training methods and used improvised equipment such as hospital beds and springs to improve the physical condition of his fellow prisoners. These experiences laid the foundations for the Pilates equipment that was to follow.
The journey to America
In 1926, Joseph Pilates emigrated to the USA. He met his future wife Clara on the crossing. Together they opened a Pilates studio in New York City, which quickly became a focal point for dancers, actors and athletes. Their method, which they called ‘Contrology’, gained popularity and recognition, especially in the dance world. Prominent dancers such as Martha Graham and George Balanchine were enthusiastic about the positive effects of the training on their bodies.