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

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

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

Pilates has a lot of benefits, but it’s not known for being especially sweaty or for building larger muscles.

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026

Dynamite wrapped in chic pastels, they provide ammunition for a day of pulverizing emails and crushing reformer Pilates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Part yoga, part Pilates and entirely unstable: Inside the high-intensity, low-impact pool workout making waves at the Annenberg Community Beach House.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

The only places I seem to go these days are to the shops, my Pilates classes and the therapist.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins