"In ten sessions you'll feel the difference, in twenty you'll see the difference and in thirty you'll have a new body"

Joseph Pilates

What is Pilates?

Pilates is an exercise method that was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920's. Joseph Pilates suffered from various serious illnesses during his childhood and doctors warned his parents that he would have a short life expectancy. Joseph was determined from a young age not to succumb to the doctors prognosis and began to experiment with a wide range of health and fitness regimes in his attempt to rebuild his body strength. Over many years, and drawing from his experience in areas as diverse as yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, skiing, dance, weight training and even circus skills, Joseph developed a method of exercising that he called 'Contrology'

In the mid 1920's Joseph Pilates emigrated to America where he and his wife, Clara, set up a studio teaching Contrology to, among others, members of the New York City Ballet which was located nearby.

It was only after his death that Contrology came to be known as Pilates; and as his students spread across the world they took the method with them and developed it further.

Today Pilates is practised widely across the world and has recently had much celebrity endorsement for its benefits in sculpting and toning the body, and by high profile sportsmen and women who recognise its ability to help improve their performance and protect against injuries.