Joseph Pilates was born near Düsseldorf, Germany in 1883. Little is known about his early life, but he appears to have been a frail child, suffering from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. His drive and determination to overcome these ailments led him to become a competent gymnast, diver and skier.

Joseph Hubertus Pilates (9 December 1883 – 9 October 1967) was a German-born physical trainer, writer, and inventor. He is credited with inventing and promoting the Pilates method of physical fitness. He patented a total of 26 apparatuses in his lifetime.

In a systematic review of multiple studies published over the years, it was found that Pilates was an effective rehabilitative form of exercise for those struggling with different kinds of body pain, such as multiple sclerosis, non-structural scoliosis, hypertension, and chronic neck pain.

Since Pilates focuses on activating core muscles, it strengthens the abdominal region. As a result, athletes who tone those muscles can better maintain proper form during workouts. 2 In addition, stabilizing the body during exercises reduces the risk of injury and improves overall performance.