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What Does Pilates Mean?

By , About.com Guide

Updated January 30, 2011

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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?

Pronunciation: Pih-la-tease
Also Known As: The Pilates Method
Common Misspellings: pilate, palatees, palates, pahlates
Examples:
The name Pilates was held in trademark until the year 2000 when, after a court battle, it was declared to be a 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.

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