100 Years of Pilates: Where Are We Now?
Introduction: From Contrology to Pop Culture Icon
If Pilates were a person, she would have lived through the Roaring Twenties, disco, grunge, Y2K, and now, TikTok. Like pop icon Taylor Swift, we have loved Pilates through all of her eras. What started as a niche practice for dancers and injured war veterans has blossomed into a global fitness sensation. Whether it’s done on a mat, reformer, or in a room heated to a steamy 95 degrees, Pilates has proven to be timeless.
Pilates has continuously evolved, nay— thrived over its 100-year life, embracing cultural shifts while staying true to its shredded core. From its rehab-focused beginnings in the 1920’s to the feminist movements of the 1970s, Pilates adapted with the times. Today, this trend is hotter than ever (literally) with hot Pilates leading the charge alongside other variations like Reformer Pilates and Lagree, offering something for everyone.
Ready to take a trip through time? Let’s rewind and explore Pilates’ century-long journey, from the early days of Joseph Pilates to the high energy hot Pilates classes we can’t get enough of at Hollywood Market Yoga in Boise, ID.
The 1920s: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Springs
While we don’t have exact dates for every milestone, we know this much: in the 1920s, a young Joseph Pilates, born in Germany, was beginning to shape a movement that would one day transform the world of fitness. During World War I, Joseph found himself working with injured soldiers in a makeshift hospital. Many of these patients were bedridden, unable to rebuild their strength through traditional rehabilitation. But where most saw limitations, Joseph saw opportunity.
Looking around, he noticed the bed springs—their tension, their ability to resist and support movement. With that spark he created a set of resistance exercises that allowed patients to strengthen their muscles and regain mobility without ever leaving their beds. This means the first ever reformer was actually a creaky hospital bed! Joseph realized that controlled, intentional movement—even in the most restricted circumstances—could create profound physical transformation. It wasn’t just rehabilitation; it was a whole new approach to fitness.
By 1926, Joseph immigrated to the U.S. and opened his first studio in New York City with his wife, Clara. He called his method “Contrology,” and it quickly attracted elite dancers and athletes, some injured, seeking speedy recovery, and some looking to prevent injury. Word spread quickly as these athletes saw how Pilates transformed their bodies. Joseph believed so deeply in his method that he claimed it would one day replace traditional medical care—a bold statement surely, but his legacy speaks for itself.
The 1940s: Pilates Gets Its Groove
By the 1940s, Pilates’ reputation had firmly taken root in New York City’s performing arts scene. His studio, located conveniently near the New York City Ballet, became a haven for dancers seeking to prevent and recover from injuries. Joseph’s close relationship with luminaries like George Balanchine and Martha Graham ensured that Pilates became synonymous with dancer wellness. He even tailored exercises to help performers improve their technique—strengthening their core for better balance and creating flexibility without sacrificing stability.
Despite his niche clientele, Joseph was quietly laying the groundwork for a movement that would stretch far beyond the dance world. By the end of the decade, Contrology was gaining traction with a broader audience as more people recognized its numerous benefits. Pilates was no longer just for dancers; it was becoming a key part of overall health and longevity. As Joseph famously declared, “You are only as young as your spine is flexible.”
The 1970s: Pilates Power! Women Find Their Strength
Fast forward to the 1970s: Pilates was starting to break out of its underground reputation and into the mainstream fitness world. During this era, several of Joseph’s students, known as the “Pilates Elders,” began opening their own studios and spreading the practice beyond New York.
During this Pilates expansion, the workouts found a natural alignment with the growing feminist movements across the country. Women were tired of society emphasizing thinness over strength. Pilates’ focus on core strength, balance, and control resonated deeply with women who sought an alternative to the hyper-masculine world of weightlifting or the high-impact craze of aerobics.
Moreover, Pilates offered a way for women to reconnect with their bodies in a more mindful, intentional way. The slow, precise movements were a powerful contrast to the fitness trends of the time that often pursued burning calories or achieving a specific body type. Pilates encouraged women to think beyond appearances and instead prioritize strength, posture, and holistic health.
As Pilates studios began to emerge across the country, the practice became a symbol of autonomy and self-care—concepts that aligned perfectly with the feminist ideals of the era. Women weren’t just working out; they were reclaiming their relationship with their bodies on their own terms. This cultural shift helped lay the groundwork for Pilates’ eventual explosion into the mainstream fitness world in the decades to come.
The 2000s: Reformer Revolution
The 2000s marked a massive shift in Pilates’ popularity, thanks largely to the rise of the Reformer. For the uninitiated, a reformer is a sleek machine with a sliding carriage, resistance springs, and straps that can make your abs cry in the best way possible. (Remember those creaky hospital beds?? This is what they turned into!) Studios across the globe started popping up with reformers as their centerpiece, attracting everyone from first-time fitness newbies to A-list celebrities.
Pilates became synonymous with Hollywood fitness, with stars like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow raving about how the method kept them healthy, strong and sexy. This mainstream embrace gave Pilates the kind of credibility that made it a household name. It was no longer just a boutique workout; it became a staple in workout and wellness routines everywhere.
In an exciting development, Pilates gave way to hybrid classes popping up in studios everywhere. People began combining Pilates with other modalities like barre, yoga, and even cardio to attract a broader clientele. This was the decade where fitness became about customization, and Pilates proved it could adapt to modern demands without losing its original principles.
The 2020s: Turn Up the Heat!
This brings us to the Pilates of today—hot, sweaty, and totally chic. By the 2020s, hot Pilates exploded as the ultimate fitness trend, fueled by the virality of hot yoga. By combining the precision of Pilates and the intensity of a heated room, hot Pilates offers a cardio and strength challenge like no other. Think you’re strong? Add 95-degree heat and see just how far you can push yourself! The success of hot yoga made the rise of hot Pilates almost inevitable, as more people sought out workouts that blend mindfulness, strength, and intensity. For many, combining yogic principles with Pilates’ restorative benefits was a no-brainer, creating a holistic practice that not only strengthens the body but also restores the mind.
If you’re in Boise, ID, you’re in luck! Hollywood Market Yoga, nestled in the charming historic North End, offers incredible traditional hot Pilates classes and events that are perfect for both beginners and seasoned pros. Don’t miss our Galentine’s Hot Pilates event on February 15th, where we’ll celebrate love, friendship, and fitness with a class that is equal parts fun and fierce. Stay in the studio after your class for mimosas and chocolate covered strawberries! Whether you’re here for the burn or the bonding, it’s a Boise fitness class you won’t want to skip. Click here for more information about our Galentine’s Hot Pilates Event!
Pilates: The Evolution Continues
From Joseph Pilates’ humble beginnings in a war hospital to the overnight explosion of hot Pilates, this practice has come a long way in 100 years. Pilates has evolved into a wellness practice that empowers everyone and continues to grow with modern variations like reformer and Lagree. Join us as we sweat through Pilates’ next big evolution! Grab your bestie, put on your cutest workout set, and join us at Hollywood Market Yoga. Your Pilates adventure begins here.
New to the heat and not sure how to cope? Don’t worry! Here at Hollywood Market yoga we are committed to giving you the best boutique fitness studio experience the Treasure Valley has to offer! Read our post 7 Tips for Your First Hot Yoga Class for a Day-1 Hot Class guide!
Learn more about Hollywood Market Yoga’s mission and morals here.