The history of pilates
As you probably know, Pilates didn’t start as a TikTok trend. It started with intention, precision, and a deep belief that strength begins at the center.
Joseph Pilates, the original innovator of traditional Pilates, was way ahead of his time in exercise and movement. After a childhood spent battling illness, (asthma, rheumatic fever), he became obsessed with the idea of building a powerful and resilient body through movement. He created a method called Contrology; a system built on control, breath, alignment, and core strength.
Joseph Pilates. The founder of Contrology.
Joseph Pilates even engineered early versions of today’s machines by attaching springs to hospital beds so injured soldiers could rebuild safely. Once he made it to New York, dancers and athletes flocked to him because his method made them strong without beating up their joints.
One of Joseph Pilates’ original protégés, Kathy Grant, a lifelong ballerina, helped bring Pilates into the modern world and paved the way for us at HGF. After knee surgery in 1954, Kathy was referred to Joseph Pilates for rehab. She was one of only two people personally certified by him, receiving her certification in Contrology from the New York State Vocational Rehabilitation Program, completing 2,200 hours of work with Joseph Pilates between 1964-65. She used that expertise to create the first official Pilates program at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Kathy Grant practicing ballet.
Her teaching was precise, creative, and deeply rooted in technique. She is credited for being a pioneer and great innovator in the Pilates community. Fun Fact- Kathy Grant is from Boston!
At HGF we love the history and excellence that has gone into building the Pilates method and principles over the years. But we also believe Pilates can evolve. So, we built a method that keeps the principles Joseph Pilates and Kathy Grant lived by… and pushes them into a more athletic era.
It’s Pilates, but reimagined for the modern, busy, strong-as-hell person. And every time you step on the machine, you’re training with intention… but you’re also training like an athlete.