Joseph Hubertus Pilates was born in Germany, in 1880. A sickly child who suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever he dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger. In his youth, Pilates studied bodybuilding, diving, skiing, gymnastics and yoga.

Center of Life Pilates, Joe PilatesIn 1912, Pilates moved to England where he worked as a boxer, circus performer and a self-defense trainer for Scotland Yard detectives. In 1914, due to the World War I, he and other Germans were sent to a camp in Lancaster and later to the Isle of Man. In the camp Pilates became a nurse and trained other internees in physical fitness exercises he developed.
After the war Pilates went back to Germany and continued to develop his fitness programs training the police in Hamburg. In 1926, displeased with the German Army and not willing to train them anymore, Pilates moved to the United States. During his trip to North America, Pilates met his future wife, Clara. Once in New York, Joe Pilates and Clara opened a studio where they trained their clients until late 1960’s. Pilates and his method, called by himself “Contrology”, became very well known in the dance community, at first. Later on, athletes and other performing artists studied under his method. Nowadays his method is known worldwide and practiced by the general public. Joseph Pilates practiced what he preached and lived a long and healthy life. He died in 1967 at the age of 87.