From Prison Camp Beds to Modern Fitness Studios: The Fascinating History of Reformer Pilates
What Is Reformer Pilates?
Walk into any modern Pilates studio and you'll likely see rows of sleek reformer machines. Today, reformer Pilates is used by everyone from office workers and new parents to elite athletes and professional dancers.
But what many people don't realise is that the reformer wasn't originally designed for fitness at all.
Its origins can be traced back more than 100 years to hospital beds, wartime rehabilitation and one man's belief that movement could transform health.
Who Was Joseph Pilates?
Joseph Pilates was born in Germany in 1883. As a child, he suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, which led him to develop a fascination with physical fitness and human movement.
He studied a wide range of disciplines including gymnastics, boxing, martial arts and yoga, developing his own philosophy around strength, control and efficient movement.
Long before it became known as "Pilates", Joseph called his method Contrology — the art of controlling the body through mindful movement.
The First Reformer Machines
One of the most fascinating chapters in Pilates history took place during the First World War.
While interned on the Isle of Man, Joseph began working with injured and bedridden patients. Looking for ways to help people maintain strength and mobility while confined to bed, he started attaching springs to hospital bed frames.
These simple spring-based systems allowed patients to move against resistance while lying down.
The concept would eventually evolve into what we now know as the reformer.
Although today's machines are significantly more advanced, the core principle remains the same: controlled movement against spring resistance to build strength, stability and mobility.
The Birth of Contrology
Following the war, Joseph continued developing his movement method.
He believed that modern lifestyles were causing people to lose their natural movement patterns and that physical and mental health were deeply connected.
His system focused on:
Concentration
Control
Precision
Breathing
Flow
Strength
Rather than exercising purely for appearance, Joseph's goal was to create balanced, capable bodies that moved efficiently through everyday life.
Many of these principles remain central to Pilates teaching today.
Moving to New York
In the 1920s, Joseph and his wife Clara moved to New York City and opened their first studio.
The studio quickly gained popularity among dancers, performers and athletes looking to improve performance and recover from injuries.
The reformer became a key part of their work, helping clients develop strength and control while reducing unnecessary strain on the body.
Word spread, and Pilates gradually became established as a respected movement method rather than simply another fitness trend.
How Reformer Pilates Has Evolved
Over the last century, Pilates has continued to evolve.
While some instructors follow a classical approach that stays closely aligned with Joseph Pilates' original teachings, others have developed contemporary methods that incorporate modern knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and rehabilitation.
Today, reformer Pilates is used for a wide range of goals including:
Building strength
Improving mobility
Supporting injury recovery
Enhancing athletic performance
Improving posture
Reducing stiffness associated with modern lifestyles
The reformer itself has also evolved, with modern machines offering smoother movement, greater adjustability and more exercise possibilities than ever before.
Why Reformer Pilates Is More Popular Than Ever
In many ways, the world has caught up with Joseph Pilates' vision.
People spend more time sitting than ever before. Back pain, poor posture, reduced mobility and movement-related discomfort have become increasingly common.
At the same time, more people are recognising the value of exercise that doesn't simply leave them exhausted, but helps them move and feel better.
Reformer Pilates offers a unique combination of strength, mobility, balance and control that appeals to people of all ages and fitness levels.
It's challenging enough for athletes, yet accessible enough for complete beginners.
Perhaps that's why a system developed over 100 years ago continues to grow in popularity today.
Experience Reformer Pilates at SINK
At SINK Reformer in Aarhus Ø, we combine the timeless principles of Pilates with a modern approach to movement, strength and wellbeing.
Whether you're completely new to reformer Pilates or looking to deepen your practice, our classes are designed to help you build strength, improve mobility and move with confidence.
If you've never tried reformer Pilates before, our New Client Offer is the perfect place to start.