History of Pilates
Pilates is a type of mind-body exercise that was developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates[1]. Pilates called his method "Contrology" and it is practiced worldwide, especially in countries such as Australia, Canada, South Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom[1]. Pilates uses a combination of around 50 repetitive exercises to spur muscle exertion. Each exercise flows from the "five essentials": breath, cervical alignment, rib and scapular stabilization, pelvic mobility, and utilization of the transverses abdomens[1]. Each exercise is typically repeated three to five times[1]. As of 2023, over 12 million people practice Pilates[1].
Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates from Mönchengladbach, Germany. His father was a gymnast and his mother a naturopath. During the first half of the twentieth century, Pilates developed a system of exercises while interned during WWI intended to strengthen the human mind and body, believing that mental and physical health were interrelated[1]. In his youth, he practiced many of the physical training regimens available in Germany, and it was from these he developed his own method[1]. It has clear connections with the physical culture of the late nineteenth century, such as the use of special apparatuses, and claims that the exercises could cure ill health[1]. It is also related to the tradition of "corrective exercise" or "medical gymnastics" as typified by Pehr Henrik Ling[1].
Joseph Pilates accompanied his method with a variety of equipment, which he called "apparatus". Each apparatus was designed to help accelerate the process of stretching, strengthening, body alignment and increased core strength started by mat work[1]. The best-known and most popular apparatus today, the Reformer, was originally called the Universal Reformer, aptly named for "universally reforming the body"[1]. Eventually Pilates designed other apparatus, including the Cadillac, Wunda Chair, High "Electric" Chair, Spine Corrector, Ladder Barrel and Pedi-Pole[1]. He published two books related to his training method: Your Health: A Corrective System of Exercising That Revolutionizes the Entire Field of Physical Education (1934) and Return to Life Through Contrology (1945)[1].