Gratz_Pilates

Gratz_Pilates Gratz Pilates is the original manufacturer of Pilates apparatus and the industry’s established source for authentic equipment.

Gratz is the industry’s established source for authentic equipment. Our New York City, now Philadelphia, fabrication shop has been in business since 1929, crafting not only Joseph Pilates’ unique design, but also museum-quality furniture, architectural metal, ad sculpture for many of the world’s greatest designers. Over a half century ago, our company’s patriarch Frank Gratz applied his engineerin

g and metalwork expertise while working with Joseph Pilates. Frank’s son Donald continued this commitment to preserving the integrity of their apparatus and in the late 1960’s collaborated with Romana Kryzanowska as she carried on the Pilates legacy. Thanks to these relationships, Gratz has maintained a fidelity to Pilates’ original vision by fabricating apparatus with unerring craftsmanship and exacting specifications. While Gratz is now located in Philadelphia, our equipment can be found in studios worldwide. Teachers and students know the Gratz difference and consider our apparatus an indispensable part of their practice and we are proud to carry on the tradition and serve the Pilates community. You can count on Gratz to protect Joseph Pilates’ vision by respecting the details of every item we produce. Our commitment to Pilates guides our actions. We have provided the finest equipment for a generation of teachers, and now we welcome the opportunity to address your individual needs. Whether you are a first-time customer or a long-time devotee, we are available to answer your questions and share our knowledge and experience. The Customer Service department is ready to help you achieve your goals by offering personal assistance on all orders, and our designers and engineers can provide complimentary studio layouts and customize your concepts into reality.

Gratz is offering a 10% pre-sell opportunity on a limited number of 80” Archive Reformers in connection with the Miguel ...
06/06/2026

Gratz is offering a 10% pre-sell opportunity on a limited number of 80” Archive Reformers in connection with the Miguel Silva Workshop at in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 9-10th🌵
 
Choose from:
• 80” Aluminum Archive Reformer 
• 80” Maple Wood Archive Reformer
 
Inspired by some of Gratz’s earliest Reformer designs, the Archive Reformer was reintroduced to recreate the specifications and feel of early Reformers built from Joseph Pilates’ original Contrology designs. Featuring firmer, denser upholstery and shorter shoulder blocks, the Archive Reformer reflects details found on earlier Gratz Reformers.
 
For those interested in the Maple Wood option, this limited offering provides an opportunity to be among the first practitioners to own a Gratz Maple Wood Archive Reformer🤩
 
This pre-sell opportunity is available through June 30. The Archive Reformer will be gently used under the instruction of Miguel Silva during the workshop. Please note that the Reformer must be picked up from Muse Pilates on October 10th. If interested, please emails [email protected]✨
 
The workshop is an incredible opportunity to learn from in a small group setting and book a session with him in the USA in a fully equipped Gratz studio. Space is limited, so do not wait to register! This workshop is ideal for Classical Pilates instructors, studio owners, and dedicated advanced practitioners.

The workshop registration link is in our bio!👏

✨ Teacher Training Spotlight | Hilary Opheim Teacher Training Program ✨  Hilary Opheim, founder of her Los Angeles-based...
06/03/2026

✨ Teacher Training Spotlight | Hilary Opheim Teacher Training Program ✨ 

Hilary Opheim, founder of her Los Angeles-based studio and Founder & Director of the Hilary Opheim Teacher Training Program, alongside Davita Paul, Associate Program Director. Together, Hilary and Davita have built a training program rooted in the traditional work of Joseph Pilates and the legacy of Kathy Grant.

Tell us about your Teacher Training Program.🔅Our comprehensive, traditional-style Pilates Teacher Training Program is meticulously designed to equip aspiring teachers with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to teach Pilates safely and effectively on all apparatus. Class size is intentionally kept small, allowing for a deep understanding of the work to be nurtured and developed.

What excites you most about teaching the next generation of teachers? 〽️Sharing our passion for movement and watching confidence deepen as students immerse themselves in the traditional work of Joseph Pilates. It is important to us that they understand the history, the why, and the how of the system. This month we launched our Traditional Pilates Movement Collective which now includes our teacher training, continuing education and workshops for experienced teachers and those that graduate our program to continue this deep movement experience of the traditional work into the teaching journey and using that functional movement as the journey of teaching continues.

What are the attributes of the most successful students in your program?💭Curiosity. The students we find most successful come wanting to explore the work — not just learn choreography.

What is the first step if someone is curious about signing up?✴️We invite prospective students to complete our online application. How to reach out: www.traditional-pilates.com or www.hilaryopheim.com

☀️ June Apparatus of the Month: Neck Stretcher ☀️ The Neck Stretcher offers a unique opportunity to explore the relation...
06/01/2026

☀️ June Apparatus of the Month: Neck Stretcher ☀️
 
The Neck Stretcher offers a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between the head, neck, spine, shoulders, and powerhouse. Through focused feedback and intentional movement, practitioners can develop greater awareness of the muscles that help support the body against gravity.
 
Its purpose extends far beyond a single exercise. The lessons learned through Neck Stretcher work can be felt throughout the entire system, informing how we move, stand, and connect to the work as a whole.
 
Throughout June, we’ll be exploring the history, purpose, and role of the Neck Stretcher.
 

🤸‍♀️May Apparatus Of The Month Wrap-up🤸‍♀️The Gratz community explored the Ladder Barrel through movement that challenge...
05/31/2026

🤸‍♀️May Apparatus Of The Month Wrap-up🤸‍♀️
The Gratz community explored the Ladder Barrel through movement that challenged, supported, and expanded the work in new ways.

From supported backbends and spinal articulation to dynamic stretching and strengthening sequences, teachers and studios demonstrated the incredible range and versatility of this .

We loved seeing the many ways practitioners approached the Ladder Barrel with precision, creativity, control, and flow.

Thank you to everyone who shared their practice, reflections, and insights throughout the month. 👏

Click the link in our bio to explore this month’s community highlights!
 
apparatusofthemonth

Step inside Pilates Atelier, the studio of , a true pioneer shaped by movement, discipline, and the original teachings o...
05/29/2026

Step inside Pilates Atelier, the studio of , a true pioneer shaped by movement, discipline, and the original teachings of Joseph Pilates. Sonjé’s journey began with ballet at just four years old and led her from Cape Town to London and New York, where Martha Graham herself encouraged her to study “Contrology” with Joseph Pilates. Inspired by Joe’s guidance between 1965–1967, Sonjé carries her teachings forward with a lifelong dedication to authentic Classical Pilates.
 
Why Classical Pilates?
It is what Joseph established. It is safe, well balanced and has appropriate levels.
 
What’s your favorite piece of equipment?
Wunda Chair
 
What’s a piece of advice you always come back to?
“It is not about range…. It is always about form.”
 
What color upholstery is your studio equipped with? 
Black
 
Tell us about your clientele.
My clients are mainly over 40 but I have some younger ones too. I have quite a few men. It is important for me to always teach complete beginners because training someone from scratch is a challenge.
 
Why Gratz?
It is the original and the best.
 
We appreciate Sonje’s support of Gratz and dedication to the Pilates Method ❤️
 

💙 Gratz Equipped Studio Tour | JPilates 💙 Founded by Joanne Cobb, is rooted in a deep respect for the Classical Pilates...
05/24/2026

💙 Gratz Equipped Studio Tour | JPilates 💙
 
Founded by Joanne Cobb, is rooted in a deep respect for the Classical Pilates method and a commitment to continued learning. With studios across Ireland and the UK, Joanne’s teaching journey has evolved alongside her dedication to teacher education, helping both new and experienced instructors deepen their understanding of the work.
 
Why Classical Pilates?
Joseph Pilates was an absolute genius and visionary! His philosophy for living, his inventions, the exercises and order are as relevant, beneficial and powerful in today’s world as they were then. Added to this, we have the fabulous additions from the Elders. Understanding, practising and constantly delving deeper in the Method, brings the best results not just to our clients but ourselves. 

What’s your favorite piece of equipment (if you were stuck on a deserted island)?
Definitely the Wall Unit (although I would need to find a palm tree to attach it to!) It ticks all the boxes for every ability and it is my go-to for my own practice.

What’s a piece of advice you always come back to?
It has to be a quote from Eve Gentry
“Don’t just be a conveyor belt. You will not grow....you will get stuck and the mechanism won’t work”

What color upholstery is your studio equipped with?
Royal blue!
 
Tell us about your clientele.
I own and run a PIlates teacher training company so most of my clientele are teachers either beginning their teacher journey or deepening and enhancing their understanding and knowledge. 
 
Why Gratz?
There is nothing like Gratz-it is the gold standard. I always feel the apparatus is my workout partner-you don’t fight it, it gives you support when you need it and challenge when you want it. You don’t ride it, you work with it.

How did you start your studio
I first qualified in the early 2000s and have had studios in Ireland & the UK. I tried my first Gratz reformer in 2017 and had to change everything to Gratz after- there was no going back!
 
Thank you Joanne and the Jpilates community for carrying the method forward! 💕
 

Every studio carries a unique story shaped by lineage, discipline, and a deep dedication to the work. These spaces bec...
05/22/2026

Every studio carries a unique story shaped by lineage, discipline, and a deep dedication to the work. These spaces become anchors for learning, growth, and continuity within the method.
 
Through our Gratz Equipped Studio Tours featured on Instagram, we are honored to highlight 12 studios whose journeys reflect the heart of Classical Pilates, the strength of community, and the enduring tradition of teaching on Gratz apparatus.
 
From longtime teaching spaces to growing studios carrying the work forward for a new generation, each studio represents a meaningful part of the Classical Pilates legacy.
 
Explore the studios, hear their stories, and step inside the spaces where the work continues to thrive. Check the link in our bio to read more. 🔗
 

Most of us got into this industry because we love the work — the methodology, the movement, the transformation we watch ...
05/14/2026

Most of us got into this industry because we love the work — the methodology, the movement, the transformation we watch happen on the mat.

Spreadsheets were not part of the dream.
But here’s the thing: you can’t grow what you don’t measure. And the good news is you don’t need to track everything — just the right things.

Swipe through for the only 7 numbers that actually matter for your studio’s health and growth. I’ve kept it simple on purpose. Because this shouldn’t feel overwhelming — it should feel like clarity.

Save this carousel and pick just two numbers to find this week. That’s your starting point.
The full breakdown is in my latest article on the Gratz site… go take a read!

Most of us got into this industry because we love the work — the methodology, the movement, the transformation we watch ...
05/14/2026

Most of us got into this industry because we love the work — the methodology, the movement, the transformation we watch happen on the mat.

Spreadsheets were not part of the dream.
But here’s the thing: you can’t grow what you don’t measure. And the good news is you don’t need to track everything — just the right things.

Swipe through for the only 7 numbers that actually matter for your studio’s health and growth. I’ve kept it simple on purpose. Because this shouldn’t feel overwhelming — it should feel like clarity.

Save this carousel and pick just two numbers to find this week. That’s your starting point.

The full breakdown is in my latest article on the Gratz site… go take a read!

🧡 Gratz Equipped Studio Tour | Axis Classical Pilates 🧡, located in Long Beach, California, was founded by Karen Washbur...
05/11/2026

🧡 Gratz Equipped Studio Tour | Axis Classical Pilates 🧡

, located in Long Beach, California, was founded by Karen Washburn in 2003 as the city’s first fully Gratz-equipped studio. Karen, a teacher trainer for Power Pilates has dedicated her career to preserving the integrity of the original work.

Why Classical Pilates?
I believe in staying true to the source of Contrology. Joseph Pilates created an incredibly brilliant body of work, and the most powerful results of the practice come by going deeper into the original teachings. One of my teachers and mentors, the late Bob Liekens, would talk often about the importance of honoring the integrity of Classical Pilates. He was taught this by Romana, John Winter, and his other teachers who were students of Joseph Pilates. We strive to continue the legacy of Joe’s work at Axis.

Why Gratz?
Like the Gratz tagline says, “Joe invented it, we make it.” Gratz equipment is simply the best in terms of quality and craftsmanship. honors the integrity of Classical Pilates in all its apparatus, and this is aligned with our philosophy at Axis.

What is my favorite piece of equipment?
Every piece of equipment has a purpose, and the more I explore the method, the more I recognize that Joe wanted us to use all the equipment all the time. Shari Berkowitz, my first Classical Pilates teacher and mentor, said that Romana would tell the apprentices to get clients on at least five apparatus in every session. I could not survive now without our fully equipped Gratz studio! I need it all!

What piece of advice do I always come back to?
When I went through “The Work” with Jay Grimes, he would say, “Talk less to the body, let the body talk to you.” I think that there is so much value in the unspoken moments in the Pilates studio, when you allow the body to speak through the work. The equipment helps the body to speak, as it reveals the most important information to us as practitioners and teachers.

How did I begin my studio?
I started my journey in Los Angeles, CA, in 2001. I was dancing and teaching Pilates under Shari Berkowitz.

We enjoy seeing the Axis team carry the method forward!

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(215) 739-7373

Website

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