Pilates

American  

[pi-lah-teez] / pɪˈlɑ tiz /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. a system of physical conditioning involving low-impact exercises and stretches designed to strengthen muscles of the torso and often performed with specialized equipment.

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Pilates British  

/ pɪˈlɑːtiːz /

noun

1. a system of gentle exercise performed lying down that stretches and lengthens the muscles, designed to improve posture, flexibility, etc

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Etymology

Origin of Pilates

Named after Joseph Pilates (1883–1967), German fitness instructor

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Pilates

“All the girls want to bring their boyfriends and husbands,” said Laura Wilson, founder of Natural Pilates, a studio in Los Angeles and New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

Though Pilates is a full-body workout, she added, it often focuses on glutes and legs, which many men neglect in their gym workouts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

If she’s not available, I might go to Sapphire Pilates in Silver Lake.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

"When you're bleeding, you want to be doing steady-pace jogging, Pilates, barre, walking, resting," she tells viewers.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

Half the Pilates girls will be here, head to toe in Sweaty Betty, competitively stretching, manicured hands wrapped around their Starbucks.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins