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

Just as Pilates has a patron saint in Joseph Pilates, the field of somatics has the late Thomas Hanna, a philosopher and student of neurology who coined the term in 1976.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

One TikTok user posted a video of his Pilates speech being projected onscreen in her psychology class, as a case study.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

I thought it was an injury from Pilates, but, after a couple of weeks of the pain, I went to see the nurse practitioner on call at my doctor’s office.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

In the week, in the moment, in years past and in the Pilates studio.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 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