There exist still books and pamphlets from this time period expostulating the benefits of special machines guaranteeing physical fitness non-pareil in the “shortest route” and “fastest time.” Practical Athletics for Busy People, by Alex Whitely, has chapters called “Muscular Exercise and its Relation to Health and Strength,” “Diet and Disease” and “For Business Men.” Anderson’s Physical Education includes chapters on applied physical training and nomenclature, “Merchant or Business Man”, “Parent and Child” and “Women.” These books were published in 1891 and 1897, respectively. Not much has changed in peoples’ pursuit of fitness, and the guarantees and promises of past generations hold about as much water as today’s late-night television fitness gizmos.

Only one thing remains true now that was true then and will be true always of fitness: You have to do it, and do it right, to get benefits from it.

The old physical Culture Gyms sported gymnastic rings, ladder walls, dumbbells kettlebells, trapezes, ropes and mats. Some even had elaborate pulley systems requiring participants to pull against their body weight. Vigourous exercises combining compound movement with strict feats of strength were practised with great enjoyment by men and women! Children practised Indian club swinging and rhythmic gymnastics in school. No one was reading a magazine on stairclimbers, sipping vitaminized water or electrolyte-laden neon concoctions. People just exercised.

Joseph Pilates was a fitness professional in good company with Eugene Sandow, Charles Atlas, Canadian Louis Cyr and countless other physical culturists who dedicated their lives to the improvement in health of participants. He was not the only coach, and certainly not the first, to develop exercise equipment or mat exercises. He freely lifted and then codified exercises base on Yoga, trumpeting them as his own. He made flyers and advertisements for the newspaper touting his equipment (made from springs and pulleys like everyone elses!) as the only thing that would work. Just like all those other guys.

So, why Pilates? Well, Pilates as we know it today is bio-mechanically sound exercise. Its benefits to joint mobility, spinal health and muscle balance are proven; tried and true for over 90 years. Some things of course have changed as the science and understanding of the body’s mechanics has improved. And of course the “look” of a Pilates body is appealing, with its long muscles and fluid quality of movement.

For us at bravebody, Pilates is a stepping stone to living life with ease and grace, for improving your other forms of sport, and it provides you with an education you will take into your golden years.

We combine elements of physical culture with the Pilates method, because Joseph Pilates did.

We’re doing our jobs because we love to teach, and we believe in the method. We’re your coaches and your biggest fans!

Alisa Walton