The History Of Pilates
Pilates is an exercise method that has a vast history behind its pop culture explosion as of late. It’s been practiced for almost a century, but it has only recently gained widespread exposure. In this article, we’ll trace the roots of pilates in order to help you to learn about exactly what the basis of the program is.
The story of pilates begins in 1880. This was the year in which Joseph Pilates was born, and as he grew, he came to love exercise more and more. In his adolescent years, he often modeled for fitness charts, showing the degree to which his training encompassed. Ironically, pilates might not have ever seen the light of day had it not been for the first World War. When the war began, Pilates was in England. This was a problem since he was born and raised in Germany. To that end, he was placed into an internment camp on the Isle of Man.
During this period of time, Pilates lusted after developing an exercise routine which could be performed in confined quarters that could help those with the flu to rehabilitate their bodies. He drew upon his knowledge of ancient exercise practices as well as thinking about his own experiences when it came to kleeping in shape.
One of the key pieces of equipment in modern day pilates, known as the Reformer, was created by Joseph and made out of an old hospital bed. His exercise program was seen to be of much merit to his fellow interns, and word soon spread of his ideals. After the war was over, people were clamoring for Pilates to help them to train, and he did. He gave instruction to many, with professional boxers and police officers regularly requesting his help. In 1926, he took his training regimen to the next level when he moved to New York. He created his own studio, and he based his designs off of not repetition, but of intense form.
Over 500 exercises were used by Joseph, and he stressed the use of both mat work and equipment work in order to fully reach the benefits of the exercise. He created five different pieces of exercise equipment which were to be used in conjunction with his program, and he came to receive quite the regular clientele. He wrote two books on the subject, helping him to detail exactly what he believed were the important points of pilates. After his death in 1967, his wife Clara continued to keep the exercise studio open for 11 years.
Pilates may have not gained wide acceptance while Joseph lived, but it most certainly picked up when the stars and starlets of Hollywood began to attribute their physiques to the regular use of a pilates program. With that, many in the medical profession have come to acknowledge just how good pilates can be for the body. It is used for numerous reasons, including a more complete fitness of the body and a significant method of rehabilitation for those with injured muscles. Not a lot has changed from Joseph’s original program, and many of the tools that he designed are in use today
