Many people think that Pilates is a recent fad, made popular by Hollywood stars. However, it originated from an exceptionally forward thinking man called Joseph Pilates who was born in 1880 in Dusseldorf, Germany.
As a child Pilates suffered from Asthma, Rickets and Rheumatic fever. His illnesses prompted him to study both Eastern and Western forms of exercise and to become a competent skier, diver and gymnast. Pilates moved to England in 1912 where he earned a living as a boxer and self-defence trainer for the police force.
In 1914 after World War I broke out, Pilates was interned in a camp for enemy aliens in Lancaster. Whilst he was interned Pilates taught self-defence and boasted that his students would come out of the camp stronger than ever before. Pilates was transferred to another camp on The Isle of Man where his interests in health led him to assist the sick. Becoming something of a nurse he designed exercise apparatus for immobilized patients by attaching springs to hospital beds after being told 'You can do anything you like with them, as long as they stay in bed". Working with many internees suffering from illness and incarceration he rigged the springs from the beds to the bed posts to create an exercise apparatus (hence the appearance of the 'cadillac' that you see today in Golborne Place).
His observations and work here were to form the foundation for his style of body conditioning that are now popular today and also very efficient. Once the war was over he returned to Germany to continue his work in devising a physical programme. In 1925 the German government asked Joseph to start training the German army, but instead, he emigrated to New York. On the boat trip to America he met his future wife Clara and together they established a studio in New York to teach and share his knowledge and fitness programs.
Pilates’ studio quickly became popular with the dancing community as it offered them a chance to recover from injuries and improve and strengthen their technique. However it wasn't until the late 80s when the Pilates boom began. Joseph called his approach to fitness and well-being 'Controlology' but the public took on the name of 'Pilates'.
At Golborne Place our clients sing the praises of their journey with Pilates. Offering an intelligent movement the Pilates exercises gives the body strength, alignment and tone assisting in the recovery from injuries and remedying backaches, RSIs and poor posture.
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