Gratz Pilates: A Family Legacy Upholding Pilates Tradition
Gratz Pilates boasts a rich history deeply intertwined with the birth of Pilates itself. Founded in 1928 by Frank Gratz in New York City, the company began as a custom metal fabrication shop crafting high-end furniture, architectural elements, and even industrial design prototypes. Little did they know, their path would soon converge with the revolutionary fitness method of Joseph Pilates.

Joseph Pilates, known for his innovative approach to exercise, established his first studio just across the street from the Gratz workshop. Intrigued by the unique equipment Pilates was using, Frank Gratz struck up a collaboration in the early 1930s. This partnership proved pivotal. Frank’s expert metalworking skills combined perfectly with Joseph Pilates’ vision for specialized exercise equipment.

Gratz began crafting the first metal prototypes of Pilates’ original wooden apparatus, ensuring durability and precision in the reformer design. This marked the genesis of Gratz Pilates as we know it today. The company remained true to Joseph Pilates’ original specifications and philosophies, becoming the sole manufacturer authorized to produce equipment based on his exact designs.

Throughout the decades, Gratz Pilates has passed down through the family, with Donald Gratz taking the helm after his father Frank. They have remained committed to preserving the legacy of Joseph Pilates while subtly incorporating modern advancements in materials and engineering. Today, Gratz Pilates is a family-run business in Philadelphia, meticulously handcrafting reformers and other equipment that are revered for their authenticity, exceptional quality, and unwavering dedication to Joseph Pilates’ original vision.