Definition: Pilates is both a term for a system of exercise and the name of a the Person who founded the Pilates Method of exercise, Joseph Pilates.
Joseph Pilates
What is the Pilates Method of Exercise?
The name Pilates was held in trademark until the year 2000 when, after a court battle, it was declared to be an term for an exercise system and released to the public domain. Read more about the far reaching effects of this transition in: Issues in Pilates Instructor Certification, How the Pilates Trademark Battle Changed Pilates Teacher Certification.
Pronunciation: Pih-la-tease
Also Known As: The Pilates Method
Common Misspellings: palatees, palates, pahlates

