Shaping the Next Era of Pilates
Pilates has come a long way from its humble beginnings, and few people have had as much influence on its evolution as Ken Endelman, the founder of Balanced Body. From the early days of building equipment for Hollywood elites to shaping the modern Pilates landscape, Endelman has seen it all. He reflects on the past, present, and future of Pilates, sharing insights on where the industry is headed and what Balanced Body is focused on moving forward.
The Early Days of Pilates
“Back in 1976 when I first heard about Pilates, there were maybe 10 studios in the world," Endelman recalls. "They were small—either storefronts or a back room in someone’s place. To get customers, you had a sign in your window or you put flyers on people's doors. There was no category for Pilates. If you were listed in the Yellow Pages, you were under 'fitness.' The exposure was limited, but instructors still made it work, and their businesses thrived."
Endelman fell into the world of Pilates equipment. “There was a guy who was making Pilates equipment while also building sets for Hollywood stages. He was charging $3,000USD for a reformer—back then, a Volkswagen car cost $1995USD. It was expensive, but the demand was there. Many of my clients were Hollywood types, people like Rod Stewart, their agent ordered from me, and I’d deliver it myself. There was no computer system—everything was written on a whiteboard."
In the 1990s, Pilates began to expand beyond the U.S., international orders were placed via fax and orders were paid for with cashier’s checks. “I would often take the orders to the airport myself.” Usually, I’d build all the equipment, then drive down to Los Angeles and do deliveries all weekend with my wife, Roz. When traveling by myself, I often slept on customers’ Trap Tables. ” Endelman says. Typically, my customers were instructors who then referred clients to me. "Aspiring teachers, back then, worked closely with other teachers, often apprenticing for years.”
The Growth and Popularity of Pilates
Media coverage helped Pilates gain traction. "It was exclusive, personalised, hard to obtain, and expensive," Endelman explains. "Many of my clients like Ron Fletcher had a knack for public relations, and both L.A. and New York became hotspots for Pilates."
Today, Pilates has reached a new level of accessibility and popularity. "People from all walks of life are doing Pilates now," Endelman says. "For a long time, it was mostly dancers. Now, it’s everyone from seniors wanting to lengthen their everyday quality of life, to those in their 20s and 30s working to look and feel their best, to pro athletes looking for a competitive edge on the field.
The Future of Pilates
When asked about the future, Endelman sees both opportunities and challenges. "People are prioritising fitness and movement, which is great. No matter what kind of Pilates they’re doing, it benefits them, right? We’ve been handed a phenomenal legacy. We’ve figured out the 'secret sauce' that makes us healthier. It’s up to us to keep it going. But how do we continue to grow and protect the Pilates brand we all own? It’s ours to grow - or ours to lose."
One clear trend is the rise of group reformer classes. "I take all kinds of classes whenever I travel," Endelman says. "Sometimes it’s Pilates, sometimes it’s just a good workout. I see that people start with group classes and then want to progress in their Pilates practice. At first, I was sceptical about group reformer classes. When Club Pilates first started, I thought it would be a tough sell. Over the years, my perspective has changed. I saw that people like the camaraderie. It becomes part of their fitness routine." Still, Endelman values the focus of private sessions. "Personally, I love privates and duets - and I know that I am fortunate I can do them with BB staff."
Challenges and Innovations in the Industry
One challenge was attracting men to Pilates. "Today we’re doing a better job getting more men into Pilates," Endelman says. "It’s taken a while but men now realize how much they can benefit from making Pilates a part of their training program."
Social media presents another challenge. "I see a lot of crazy stuff on Instagram. My recommendation? Only do what you are comfortable and trained to do. The beauty of Pilates equipment is its versatility, it meets you where you are in your fitness journey. But there can be safety issues if the equipment is not used as it is built to be used. If you don’t know what you’re doing, find yourself a certified Pilates instructor and learn how to do Pilates safely and effectively.
The pandemic also shifted how people approach Pilates. "I’ve seen a huge number of instructors move from owning a studio space to having a studio in their house post-COVID," Endelman says. "Also, for instructors not wanting their own studio, there are places in New York and London where you can rent a reformer, and instructors hire those spaces to teach clients."
One of Endelman’s concerns is that club owners buy equipment but don’t always invest in certified instructors. "That’s critical for us. The equipment needs to be used safely. In addition to our comprehensive Pilates training, Balanced Body Education® has developed specific programs to upskill fitness professionals to teach group classes safely and give them a pathway to certification."
The Role of Instructors in Growing Pilates
Endelman believes instructors play a key role in expanding Pilates. "Instructors need to work really hard to explain what Pilates is and that it is a progressive practice, an ongoing journey. They need to clearly articulate what clients should expect and how Pilates evolves with them. Instructors must continue to deliver this message for clients to fully experience the effectiveness of Pilates in achieving their individual goals.
He also emphasises the importance of embracing what’s already established. "We’ve got this incredible method—it’s been around for 100 years. We need to protect it and grow it. Trainers have incorporated a lot of Pilates terminology into fitness programs, but what sets Pilates apart is the mental commitment."
Balanced Body’s Commitment to the Future
Looking ahead, Balanced Body remains focused on innovation and supporting the industry. "Our intention is to stay on top of the industry in terms of design and innovation," Endelman says. "We work for the customer. How can we make instructors more effective? That’s what we think about."
Ultimately, the goal is to get more people moving. "The big picture is, we need to get people exercising. Pilates instructors can continue to explain why and how Pilates works. I can tell someone the benefits, but they need to understand Joe’s intent with the methodology. It’s not just about making movements—it’s about the bigger whole-body fitness picture. We need clients to understand what they have to look forward to in progressing in their individual practice….and if we stay committed to quality instruction, safety, and innovation, Pilates will continue to thrive."
Ken Endelman founded Balanced Body in 1976. He has collaborated with Pilates educators, studio owners, fitness clubs, physical therapists, and trainers to blend Pilates’ original designs with modern biomechanics. His innovations earned 43+ U.S. patents and hundreds worldwide. Ken is also a frequent presenter at Pilates and fitness conferences around the world. A UCLA graduate and global Pilates advocate, he’s committed to sustainability—cycling to work daily.