The method called Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates, born in Germany in 1880. Pilates` childhood was marked by his weak and unhealthy mood, which made him persistently compensate his handicaps with the study of the body, its strenghtening and training. As a result of his perseverance, Joseph Pilates became a great sportman, hired by Scotland Yard to be in charge of the training method for the personal defense of his agents.