Preserving the genius of Joseph H. Pilates

The Legacy

Joseph H. Pilates developed his method of whole-body fitness in the early 20th century. Determined to overcome his numerous childhood ailments, Pilates studied both eastern and western forms of exercise, eventually bringing them together with prototypes of training equipment he devised while aiding disabled and bedridden soldiers and detainees during WWI.

"Classical Pilates is the most practical and personalized form of movement training available today." 

    Joseph created a unique system of movement training using resistance-based equipment designed to uniformly develop the body. Today, his low-impact movement technique represents an approach to exercise prompting a mind-body connection to perform movements with precision, efficiency and effectiveness. The result is in an agile and structurally sound body. With more than 500 exercises, the Classical Pilates Method is designed to facilitate various body types, accommodating the needs of any number of postural patterns, muscular imbalances, health conditions and injuries a client might present. This intelligent exercise offers benefits for everyone, from those in therapeutic recovery, to those seeking alternatives to repetitive workouts; from seniors looking to extend their quality of life, to elite athletes desiring the competitive edge.

Pilates emphasizes the development of the body’s core strength (the area of the torso between the ribs and hips), targeting the deeper muscles in the body closest to the spine. It also engages more muscles comprehensively to perform each movement, teaching the body to work harmoniously and minimizing the need for numerous repetitions.

The Elders

Classical Pilates is the most practical and personalized form of exercise available today, carried forward by The Elders (the First Generation Teachers of the Pilates Method) who studied directly with both Joseph and Clara Pilates. Their knowledge continues to permeate the international Pilates community and a few remaining Elders continue their work to this day.

The Journey

Pilates reshapes the body without stressing the joints and affects how individuals use their bodies to undertake the daily activities of life. Unlike other forms of fitness training and body conditioning which focus on fitness for fitness sake, Pilates offers a personal fitness journey for lifelong health. Becoming involved in a Classical Pilates program will change the way you think about your body, exercise, and ultimately your total well-being.