Born in Mönchengladbach in 1883, Joseph Pilates is still little known in his country of origin, Germany.

His exiting life led him from his first job as a beer brewer and amateur boxer in the Ruhr region to an internment camp on the Isle of Man during the First World War, and finally to New York City where he opened his legendary studio and helped countless celebrities to make their bodies stronger and more toned." -- from author's website